WWE news and notes: 1/31/13

Quite a bit of news tidbits floating around in the WWE Universe. Here are a few more that are making the rounds.

• The 2013 Hall of Fame will be taking place the night before Wrestlemania 29, and WWE is trying to decide what other names will join Mick Foley, Bob Backlund and Trish Stratus in this year’s class. It has been reported that James Harris, better known to fans as “Kamala”, has been asked to join this year’s class. At this time, it is unknown if he has accepted or not. If he does not accept, he will likely be replaced with former WWF Champion Ivan Koloff.
• While it’s always expected that The Undertaker will be a part of Wrestlemania, for this year’s event, that may not be the case. Undertaker was originally expected to appear at the Royal Rumble this past Sunday, but that plan was changed when he let it be known that he wasn’t sure he was going to compete at ‘Mania this year. The original plan for the big event was ‘Taker vs. CM Punk, but with him uncertainty, that match is in doubt. Most believe ‘Taker will change his mind and make the big event, but considering how physically beaten up “The Dead Man” is, he may be forced to sit this one out. Should that happen, plans for CM Punk at ‘Mania will remain unknown.
• An “Intercontinental Cup” was announced and would involve current IC Champion Wade Barrett, but the plug on this has reportedly been pulled. The reasons for the change just 24 hours after the announcement are unknown. In the meantime, Barrett is expected to feud with newcomer Bo Dallas for the coveted championship.
• Former independent standout El Generico has passed his medical tests and is being relocated to NXT to officially begin his contract with WWE. He will start with NXT within the next month. Although it is a rarity with WWE, there have already been talks of Generico keeping the “Generic luchador” gimmick he made famous on the independent scene once he officially starts with WWE. However, that decision could be changed several times before things are all said and done.
• Speaking of NXT, former star Gavin Reid was released from his developmental contract last week. At this time, no reason as to why has been given.
• Current Smackdown! star Tyson Kidd is currently out of action with a torn meniscus, which is a type of knee injury. The injury occurred earlier this month, and Kidd is expected to be out approximately 6-8 months. Kidd has been posting status updates, as well as photos, on his official Twitter and Facebook accounts, and appears hopeful that the rehabilitation process will put him back in action sooner than expected.