Ric Flair Update

PWInsider is reporting that WWE has an offer out to Ric Flair to return as a regular character on TV and go back on the road full-time. It apparentle was was a Triple H call.

According to WWE sources, Flair was told that as long as he handled some of his personal matters that would keep him from going on the road, he would be back.

One WWE source believed that the company needs Flair to undergo a series of medical testing before they will allow him to go back on the road, noting that the company is even more cautious now following Jerry Lawler's heart attack in November 2012.

Flair still has an outstanding warrant out in North Carolina related to a civil matter with his ex-wife Jacqueline as well. WWE is taping TV in Greensboro, NC on 5/13. It could be that WWE wants Flair to get that matter squared away so there are no restrictions on where he can appear, especially since he's always been a huge draw in North Carolina after decades of being a celebrity in Charlotte.

Flair, as of this morning, is not scheduled for the Extreme Rules PPV. He is flying out of Los Angeles following a signing appearance and heading home to Atlanta, GA.

Rumor Mill - Original WWE Payback Plans for Daniel Bryan, Batista Turns Down Match, Why He's Leaving

Batista isn't booked for any WWE shows after tomorrow's Extreme Rules pay-per-view. His last night for the time being is scheduled to be the pay-per-view or RAW on Monday night.

We knew that Batista would be taking some time off to promote Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy but nobody expected it to come this quick. Word is that WWE wanted to do Batista vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE World Heavyweight Title at June's Payback pay-per-view but Batista turned it down. Batista felt that him losing to someone smaller than him, after he tapped out to him at WrestleMania XXX and right before he's going to appear in a big summer blockbuster movie, wouldn't be a good fit for him and would not be a good way for fans to remember him until he returns again.

The plan was for Batista to work through Payback and then take some time off but since he turned it down, he's finishing up early because it was said that WWE has nothing else for him. No word yet on what this means for Evolution. Batista is still expected back for SummerSlam.

No Excuses

Midnight squats......@DeFrancosGym #noexcuses pic.twitter.com/33GRhxIzcc

— Triple H (@TripleH) May 2, 2014

Rumor Mill - WWE Planning To Sign Bill Goldberg Before WrestleMania 31

F4WOnline.com is reporting that WWE is currently setting up plans to get Bill Goldberg signed to some sort of deal with the company way before WrestleMania 31.

The current plan is to have Goldberg signed and used in the WWE 2K15 video game, which is set to release in the fall. Officials are trying to make this plan similar to what they did with Ultimate Warrior last year, as they promoted him heavily.

Furthermore, WWE wants to promote it at SummerSlam and continue to market and build the signing of Goldberg all the way until WrestleMania 31, which could be a match and/or a Hall of Fame induction.

WWE Purchases More Classic Wrestling Footage

WWE recently purchased a library of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling footage shot in Virginia at ringside next to the ring announcer, from Jim Crockett Promotions events. The footage was filmed by George Pantas, as he revealed in the Norfolk Navy Flagship. The footage includes what may be the only complete match on tape featuring Ric Flair vs. Buddy Rogers.

Rumor Mill - WWE Officials Considering a Significant Change to NXT Tapings

WWE officials have been talking about making the NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University bi-weekly instead of monthly so the last episode of the taping isn't a month old by the time it airs.

This potential change has to do with NXT's popularity increasing thanks to the WWE Network, but also has to do with continuity issues when they have to insert new segments, such as JBL stripping Paige of her NXT Women's Title last week.

Rumor Mill - Details Revealed on WWE Tough Enough Returning

WWE Tough Enough is returning this year on the WWE Network and will reportedly be filmed at the Performance Center with NXT talents who aren't regulars on TV. It's said that this season will be very different from past seasons and it's also scheduled to be one of four reality TV shows for the Network in 2015 with Legends House and two other shows that haven't been announced yet.

Video: Shawn Michaels has some fun impersonating Hulk Hogan on Raw, before their match at SummerSlam

During Shawn Michaels' Q&A in Manchester earlier this week, he noted that it was Stephanie McMahon who helped him write the Larry King skit about Hulk Hogan in 2005, which you can watch above.

WWE Conference Call Highlights: New TV Deal Update, Tough Enough Returning, Total Divas & WWE Studios News, 2nd Quarter Losses Expected

WWE held a conference call for its first quarter financials this morning, and it was hosted by Michael Weitz, George Barrios and Vince McMahon. The following are some highlights from the call:

-Vince said that with Network subscriptions and PPV buys, WrestleMania 30 did over 1 million buys, and the launch of the Network has been well received by fans and industry experts.

-Vince said WWE will be announcing a new TV deal in several weeks, and the company is currently negotiating in India.

-Barrios said WWE maintains the belief that the Network will hit 1 million subscriptions by the end of the year, and 2 to 3 million as the Network grows.

-Barrios said Tough Enough will be coming to the Network, but he did not specify whether or not it will be new seasons of the show, or archives of past seasons.

-TV revenue was up thanks mostly to Total Divas. WWE Studios revenue was up mostly thanks to The Call. Scooby-Doo and Oculus are delivering strong performances that are in line with expectations.

-Live event revenue was up from the previous year's quarter due in part to a rise in ticket prices and new VIP packages.

-They expect a $7-$10 million loss for the second quarter of this year.

Musician Behind Wyatt Family Theme Talks Playing WrestleMania XXX, Meeting Bray Wyatt, WWE Discovering His Music & More

Mark Crozer, the musician behind the Wyatt Family entrance theme "Live in Fear", recently did an interview with JourneyofaFrontman.com.

How WWE and Bray Wyatt ended up finding his music:

"Ages ago, between 1999 and 2000, I found out about this idea that you could, as an independent artist, get your music into TV shows. It was the organization called Taxi based in LA. I joined and it was completely new to me. I put that and other songs into this one music library and I guess they had a deal with another library that was servicing the WWE. Bray Wyatt was searching for a song for his theme music and he came across my song. I think he spent six hours or so listening to songs, that’s what he told me. And when he heard mine, right away, he just thought it was gonna be good for his character. They tried it out and it worked. And that was that."

Playing live at WrestleMania XXX:

They asked me to do it. I’d really been following the whole Bray Wyatt development over the last couple years. I knew that there was a good chance that he was gonna do Wrestlemania this year. I’d heard that they’d had bands occasionally to perform. I e-mailed my guy at WWE around Christmas time saying, “I’d love to do it.” And then they got in touch with me a couple months later to ask me to play.

Check out the complete interview featuring Mark's thoughts on meeting Bray Wyatt, the evolution of his character, how his song is being used in wrestling and a lot more.

WWE Beats Out NCAA, Nike and Visa For Webby Award

WWE today announced the WWE App won the fan-voted People's Voice Award in the Sports Mobile & Apps category, as a part of the 18th Annual Webby Awards. WWE will be honored at the Webby Awards ceremony on Monday, May 19, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

The Webby People's Voice Awards are selected by Internet users from more than 200 countries worldwide. With more than 11 million downloads in 220 countries, the WWE App beat out The Nike SB App, Visa 360 Cam and NCAA March Madness Live 2013 for the highly coveted fan award.

The WWE App offers fans live and original programming as well as the vast on-demand library found on WWE Network. Delivering a revolutionary second screen experience during its flagship television programs, Monday Night Raw® and SmackDown®, the app also includes live match continuation during TV commercial breaks, backstage content, live polls, photos and exclusive information on WWE Superstars and Divas.

Rumor Mill - Certain People Trying To Run Brisco's Recruits Out Of WWE Developmental?

WWE officials recently issued a directive to NXT staff regarding the treatment of some of Gerald Brisco's wrestling recruits. There had been a feeling that Brisco would sign guys with good looks, personality and skills, but when they got to Orlando at the Performance Center, certain people (possibly trainers) working for developmental would try and run them off because they didn't like shooters around.