WWE news and notes: 19th September, 2013

• Former WWE star Shawn “Gavin” Spears has just signed a new developmental deal with WWE, and will be debuting for NXT down in Florida shortly.
• In the wake of Jim Ross’s recent retirement (many believe he was actually fired, however), it has been revealed that, just before his departure from WWE after 20 years of service (not counting a couple of previous departures), someone in WWE’s book department had gotten in touch with an unnamed author to write JR’s biography. JR has discussed writing a book for years and has reportedly been keeping detailed notes over his career for the eventual day he would leave wrestling for good. As for who will fill his position as a talent coordinator/scout in NXT, William Regal is the most likely candidate to take over for the Hall of Famer.
• Former WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool was recently spotted with real-life husband the Undertaker at the WWE’s new Performance Center in Orlando, FL, as the two were training together. Last year, McCool was in talks with WWE about a possible return to the ring, and WWE currently feels that now will be the best time to re-sign her (if she’s interested) in that it will give them time to build something with her for Wrestlemania XXX.
• Rob Van Dam is currently scheduled to leave WWE soon, most likely after WWE Battleground, for a few weeks. His current contract has him working 90 days before getting a brief vacation, then returning for 90 days, etc. As for his manager, Ricardo Rodriguez, WWE is interested in pairing him with the returning Rey Mysterio during RVD’s hiatus.
• Speaking of RVD, his match at Battleground with World Champion Alberto Del Rio is expected to have a stipulation added to it, although it is only speculation at this point. The WWE title match between Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan is expected to have one as well, likely an Iron Man Match. The reason for this is it would allow the match to end with no clear winner, which would give WWE the excuse for another rematch at Hell in A Cell for the vacant title, with the two facing off in a Hell in a Cell Match.
• WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch was recently approved for the adoption of a child from Cambodia, making her a mom for the first time.
• Part-time WWE star Chris Jericho recently spoke to WOIO-TV about his current status in wrestling. Jericho had the following to say: “I’ve done everything that I could ever want to do. If you would have asked me that question 5 years ago I would have said ‘I want to do this, this and this’ but over the last few years all of that has come to fruition. So if I never wrestled again, I would have no regrets. But hopefully that’s not the case.” He also discussed putting over younger stars, saying that he enjoys working with the new talents, and has no problem losing to them, especially if it’s good for business.
• Cory Ledesma, creative director for WWE Video Games, revealed over Twitter that the full roster for WWE 2k14 will be announced during RAW next week.
• Former WWE star Michael “Duke the Dumpster” Droese was recently arrested for selling pain medication illegally to a police informant on two separate occasions. On July 1st of this year, Droese sold oxycodone and buprenorphine to the informant, then sold him more oxycodone the next day. The arrest occured on September 16th and was freed after posting a $10,000 bond. He is set to go to trial soon, but until a verdict is reached, he has been suspended from his current job as a teacher in McMinnville, TN.