WWE news and notes: 6-23-13

Rob Van Dam

• WWE legend and Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper is, according to his Twitter feed, working on a movie project with the original cast of The Dukes of Hazzard TV show. It is unknown if this will be a “Dukes” reboot or an entirely unrelated project.
• Jim Ross and Jerry Brisco were in Oklahoma over the weekend, scouting potential future talent at the USA World Wrestling Team Trials. On Twitter, Ross said he and Brisco were looking for, “the next beast”, likely a reference to Brock Lesnar.
• Diana Hart, sister of Bret “Hitman” Hart and widow of “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith, was recently asked over Twitter if she would ever get to induct her late husband into the Hall of Fame. She had the following to say: “I guess time will tell; hopefully. Vince appreciated Davey’s ability and liked him so we’ll see…”
• Former diva Tammy “Sunny” Sytch was inducted into the New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame last night.
• Former WWE star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman (who is still working with WWE on a “Legends” contract) recently returned to the ring after being out for several months due to suffering a torn anus in a match a few months back, courtesy of a botched Bronco Buster. Waltman interfered in the main event of last nights House of Hardcore main event between Tommy Dreamer and Lance Storm. For those that don’t know, House of Hardcore is the promotion Dreamer started after severing ties with TNA a couple years ago.
• Speaking of the House of Hardcore promotion, recent WWE signee Sami Callahan also worked the event, finishing up his independent obligations before he is relocated to NXT next month. He lost the match to MVP.
• Rob Van Dam, who recently returned to WWE and is on-tap to make his televised return at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, was asked by several fans on Twitter why he left TNA. RVD responded: “Contract expired. So did professionalism, courtesy and respect.”
• Current WWE Champion John Cena recently signed an endorsement deal with Kraft Foods to promote their Capri-Sun fruit drinks for kids. Cena will be doing this in addition to his deal with Post Cereal, which has resulted in him doing commercials for Fruity Pebbles.
• Hall of Famer Trish Stratus was asked who she’d like to see inducted into the Hall soon on a recent edition of The Layfield Report. Right off the top, she listed Luna Vachon, with both “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth being top choices as well.