WWE news and notes: 22nd September, 2013

Alberto del Rio vs RVD

• Rob Van Dam vs Alberto Del Rio in a rematch for the World Championship was officially announced on SmackDown when COO Triple H made the match. No stipulations to the match have been added, but that could change between now and WWE Battleground, when the rematch takes place.
• The current issue of ESPN Magazine features an article on the numerous masks of current WWE star Rey Mysterio.
• Today marks the day for several birthdays in wrestling. Former multi-time tag team champion and half of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express Ricky Morton turns 57, former GWF, WCW, WWE and TNA announcer Scott Hudson turns 49, and former Tough Enough contestant Ivelisse Valez, who also worked in NXT as Sofia Cortez, turns 25.
• For the second week in a row, SmackDown ranked #1 on cable TV Friday night.
• Sheamus made his first public appearance since being injured, appearing at the Wizard World convention in Columbus, OH yesterday.
• Ring announcer Lilian Garcia was at MetLife Stadium earlier today to sing the national anthem prior to the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets.
• WWE Hall of Famer met with members of the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in California. The meeting was set up by WWE and done strictly for the troops stationed there as something fun for them while they are stationed.
• NXT star Kalisto wrestled his first match with NXT since getting a name change, defeating Baron Corbin on Friday in Orlando, FL. Kalisto is former independent standout Samurai Del Sol.
• WWE is still involved in a lawsuit with Figures Toy Company, who has been the official maker of replica WWE title belts for many years. Figures is claiming WWE breached their contract and has been having a company in Hong Kong make the replicas at a much cheaper price. WWE has not responded yet, but have been ordered by the courts to do so by September 24th.
• Despite rumours of release, former Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson is still with WWE. However, he has been out of action for an extended period of time due to a muscle tear. His current return date is unknown.
• Three new WWE Studios films are in the works. Leprechaun: Origins, starring Hornswoggle, will be released nationwide in theaters on February 28th, 2014. Meanwhile, See No Evil 2 will begin filming tomorrow. Originally scheduled to be a straight-to-DVD release, there are talks of it seeing a theatrical run. A sequel to The Call, which starred critically-acclaimed actress Halle Berry, is also in the works.
• John Laurinaitis returned to WWE over the weekend, filling in for Brad Maddox at live events as the RAW GM. Rey Mysterio also returned, however only in a speaking role. He is still a few weeks away (if not longer) from returning to in-ring action.