WWE news and notes: 25th September, 2013

Alberto del Rio vs RVD

• WWE Hall of Famer and current TNA on-screen General Manager Hulk Hogan is set to have his TNA contract expire in two weeks. When it was announced his contract with TNA was coming to an end, rumours immediately began that Hogan would leave TNA and re-sign with WWE in order to participate at Wrestlemania XXX. However, the belief is that he will stay with TNA instead. TNA star AJ Styles’s contract is also expiring soon, and the chances of him staying with the company are highly likely. According to Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline.com, there appears to be, “far less interest than a normal, rational person would think” in regards to WWE potentially hiring him. WWE actually offered Styles a developmental deal after WCW shut down, but Styles famously turned it down, citing a low offer (money-wise) as the reason.
• Without spoiling anything, it has been confirmed that a stipulation will be added to the Rob Van Dam/Alberto Del Rio World Championship Match at Battleground, and that stipulation will be announced on this Friday night’s SmackDown taping.
• Earlier this afternoon, Triple H took part in another sit-down interview with Michael Cole with a special proposal for the Rhodes family. The interview is now available on WWE.com, and features Triple H inviting the family to this Monday’s RAW with the caveat that they will have an open forum to discuss any issues they currently have with the company. Currently, there is a rumour that we may see a Rhodes Family/Shield 6-man match at Battleground, with the possibility of Cody Rhodes being rehired if his family wins.
• Mark Henry recently signed a new 3-year contract with WWE.
• John Cena now has his own mobile app, available on both iTunes and the Google Play store. The app, called John Cena’s Fast Lane, is a street-racing game with Cena playing the role of a veteran driver who coaches you as you make your way up the ranks.
• Originally, there were talks of The Rock vs. The Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXX in the annual “Streak Match”, but it likely won’t happen due to the injuries Rock suffered at this year’s event, as well as his very busy acting schedule. Right now, the fallback plan is to have ‘Taker face Ryback, and there are even rumours that Ryback may be the man pegged to finally end ‘Taker’s undefeated streak.
• WWE has posted a very cryptic photo/tweet on their official Twitter feed. The picture appears to be of some kind of red, white and black-colored plate that has been shattered into many pieces, with the caption, “Broken souls lay beneath his feet. #RestinPieces”
• CM Punk was recognized in Sports Illustrated‘s “Twitter 100″ list, which ranks the top 100 sports-related Twitter accounts.