-- While Cole certainly implied Batista vs. Cena vs. JBL for No Way Out, the plan as of last night was still for Batista vs. HHH.

-- In a moment that really spoke volumes about the effectiveness of WWE's decision to hire 'eye candy,' Torrie Wilson forgot Rochelle Loewen's name and referred to her as 'Rorchelle Lauren' during the final Rookie Diva segment.

-- As if there were any doubt, the ring spot during JBL vs. Big Show was planned and had an integral role in the match's conclusion.

Source NODQ

SmackDown! PPV 
TBD Sunday, June 12, 2005 | New York, NY 
TBD

-- WWE creative team member Bruce Prichard is once again on hiatus from the SmackDown! team. He is away dealing with personal issues.

-- WWE has formally released Barry Werner, the man behind WWE's magazines. Werner had a strong publishing background and was paid rather well by WWE, which likely implies money was a factor in the decision to let him go. For the time being, Shane McMahon will assume Werner's duties with assistance from his right-hand man Jim Monsees. Everyone in the magazine department will report to the duo.

-- According to Jimmy Hart on recent media rounds, Hulk Hogan still has yet to decide whether he will accept WWE’s offer to appear at WrestleMania.

-- The Chicago Sun is reporting that there will be an inter-promotional match added to WrestleMania between Randy Orton and The Undertaker. It is known that Taker wants to put on a good match as this may very well be his last WrestleMania, so putting him in the ring with someone like Randy Orton would make sense. However, this is absolutely not confirmed and should be taken with a grain of salt.

-- At this point, WWE is still planning to run a post-WrestleMania roster change (possibly a draft) of some sorts. There have been different rumors going around as to the specifics on how WWE will mix up the rosters after WrestleMania, but some sort of switch is definitely expected.

-- WWE continues to have no real interest in Jeff Hardy.

-- Various sources are still under the impression that former ECW stars will be contacted to work June's ECW PPV. Specific names have not yet been revealed.

Although HHH has been helping his wife running WWE shows in Vince McMahon's absence, he was unable to attend No Way Out last night as he was working a RAW brand house show in Erie, PA.

Many WWE employees have echoed the general consensus on last night's PPV saying it was no better than "fair". Only one person described it as being anything beyond that.

As with Taboo Tuesday, you could vote as many times as you wanted in the "SmackDown! Rookie Diva Challenge" on WWE.com.


Dean Malenko reportedly has heat with the cruiserweights, who don't believe he has been truthful with them. One complaint we've heard is that when someone pitches an idea to him, he presents it to management as if it was his idea. Malenko is also said to be pitching a reformation of the 4 Horsemen for Wrestlemania, with the group including Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Chris Benoit, and Dean Malenko. Malenko has reportedly claimed that those four men made up the most popular version of the Horsemen. Malenko is also said to be pitching the idea that he should come out of retirement for one match at the ECW pay-per-view.

Only one person described it as being anything beyond that.

The Chicago Sun is reporting that there will be an inter-promotional match added to WrestleMania between Randy Orton and The Undertaker. It is known that Taker wants to put on a good match as this may very well be his last WrestleMania, so putting him in the ring with someone like Randy Orton would make sense. However, this is absolutely not confirmed and should be taken with a grain of salt.

WWE continues to have no real interest in Jeff Hardy.

Many WWE employees have echoed the general consensus on last night's PPV saying it was no better than "fair". Only one person described it as being anything beyond that.

Lance Storm and Malenko... both back in ring......... ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Frankie Kazarian, former TNA star, will be attending tonight's SmackDown! taping as he is in Philadelphia, PA. Kazarian was booked for RAW on Monday but flight issues prevented him from attending. Kazarian is likely to work a dark match tonight so WWE management can assess him.

I really like Lance Storm actually. His in-ring ability as far as athletisism goes is excellent.

The following is a quote from the Rock listed in the New York Daily News this week and regards to the status of his contract:

"I wasn't contacted or notified or anything like that," said Rock. "It wasn't until my own team had basically congratulated me - 'Oh my God, what a wonderful career you've had. Congratulations!' - that [I realized it]. I wish it would have went down a little bit differently, and that part I am sad about."

The article goes on to mention how WWE mistakenly let the Rock's contract end and how Vince McMahon is going to fix the situation at the earliest oppurtunity. It also mentions how WWE "dropped the ball" and McMahon's apology to Rock.

The Rock has made no bones about being upset with the whole situation and has always expressed a desire to remain with the company in some capacity. That being said, there is still a possibility that we will see the Rock appear at WrestleMania 21 given that both sides seemingly want to resolve the issue.

But it was also the start of a new addiction for the Latino star - an obsession with his work.

All wrestling champions experience the stress of being their promotion's leading light, with everyone looking to them to deliver big crowds and PPV buy rates.

But Eddie, 37, said he didn't just feel that pressure, he was consumed by it.

In an exclusive interview he revealed: "It's a great responsibility being champion, as you're the one carrying the ball, and I found it very difficult.

"It was the first time I'd held the title and I don't think I was ready.

"I was ready to win the belt, but not for what lay ahead of me.

"I wasn't prepared mentally for what happens outside the ring - because I think that's where the real challenges lie.

"I was taking things like attendances and ratings very personally.

"I'm an extremist and that's one thing I'd like to change in my life.

"It's good to be hard on myself but not to the point where I beat myself up about things.

"And if I'm honest and look back at my mistakes then I was too hard on myself when I was carrying the title.

"I let things eat me up inside and I questioned myself when I shouldn't have.

"But it's a lesson learned and I won't make that mistake again."

The WWE originally planned a long title reign for Eddie.

With huge crowd support - especially from wrestling's growing Hispanic fan base - Guerrero was the perfect choice to be Smackdown's new figurehead.

But after his problems coping with being champion, and with WWE boss Vince McMahon wanting to change direction, Eddie dropped the gold to John Bradshaw Layfield after four and a half months.

Previously a mid-card tag team star, Bradshaw was a controversial choice to win the title.

But Eddie feels the man who beat him for the belt has proved all his critics wrong.

"I've got to give a lot of perks to JBL," he told us.

"Of course I was disappointed to drop the title, how could I not be?

"The WWE championship was everything I'd worked for and it was heartbreaking for me to lose it.

"But JBL was great in our matches and he's really stepped up to the plate as champion.

"A lot of people doubted him, although I never did, and I think he's made them eat their words.

"JBL's the WWE champion for a reason. He's not there because he's anybody's friend, but because he's working hard and continues to do a great job."