WWE news and notes: 5-30-13

Lots of news tidbits going around as WWE heads into summer. Let’s take a look.

• It has been reported on several wrestling-related sites recently that independent star Samuray Del Sol has signed a contract with WWE. Well, the main promotion Del Sol works for, EVOLVE, has stated that is not the case. In fact, Del Sol has a big match this Sunday against Open The Freedom Gate Champion Johnny Gargano on iPPV. However, this does not mean that Del Sol won’t be signed. In fact, WWE is extremely interested in the red-hot luchador, and he is currently awaiting the results of a WWE-issued medical analysis to ensure that he is 100% healthy. Should Del Sol be cleared (which is likely), expect him to sign with WWE in short order.
• Speaking of new talents, independent wrestler Cory Weston has been signed to a developmental deal after impressing talent agent Jerry Brisco at a recent camp held by Dory Funk. Jr. Weston will report to NXT in July when the new training centre is finished being built. Current ROH star Mike Bennett is also on WWE’s radar and is expected to sign soon.
• WWE legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts turns 58 years old today.
• Alberto Del Rio has been facing Big E. Langston at live events and TV tapings recently with the story that Langston is taking care of business for his boss, Dolph Ziggler, who is still recovering from a concussion. WWE was originally going to go with Jack Swagger on the TV tapings, but had to change to Langston due to Swagger not being allowed in Canada due to his legal troubles in the past. Fellow star R-Truth is also not allowed in the country for similar issues.
• “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry is in hot water with WWE creative currently. WWE wrote into the storylines that Henry walked away from the company after Sheamus beat him at Extreme Rules, but the reality is that Henry asked for time off, citing that he was pretty banged up and in a lot of pain. The reason WWE creative are upset is because they had put a lot of stock in building Henry up as a monster once more, and WWE usually does this when they want a wrestler to stay around for a while longer if they are hurt but don’t require surgery. As of now, Henry has not been cited as needing any kind of surgery and is more or less complaining about standard wear and tear that comes with wrestling, and that is where the creative team is having a problem with Henry. Unless Henry does require surgery, there is the possibility he won’t get a push for quite some time when he comes back.
• The reason the WWE title match has been changed at Payback is because Vince McMahon is reportedly hoping to do something epic with John Cena in the near future. Take that for what it’s worth, as there isn’t much more information than that. WWE also appears to be ending the feud between Cena and Ryback after Payback, but that may change as no long-term booking plans for Cena have been made.