Queries on Kane, David Hart Smith, and Russo-WWE, more live event tryouts, Cena talks Rock, Arn Anderson interview, more from JoMo, Questions on Sheamus, Nigel McGuinness, Laurinaitis vs. Long, Shaq, and Hogan, Punk Q&A, Sheamus busted open, more Mania hype, Waltman talks about Rock criticism, possible Mania change, Sheamus interview, and a pretty cool moment with Arn Anderson

Some queries for the weekend news post:
1. WWE likely books Kane the way that they do (ultimately losing to Cena and possibly Orton) because he's 44 and been taking bumps for 20 years. He probably doesn't have many years left in WWE, so they're using him to elevate the younger headliners. That's smart business in my book. Kane's a great worker and company guy, but they need to be thinking long term. And 5 or so years from now, it's more likely that the guys currently under 35 will be around than the one who would be closing in on 50.

2. While I wouldn't rule it out for down the line, I don't see why WWE would bring back David Hart Smith. If they couldn't come up with what to do with him when he was released, I don't see that changing now. Quite the talented guy, so are a number of other that WWE has let slip through the cracks.

3. I definitely don't see Vince Russo going back to WWE. Given the issues he had with them last time he tried to go there (before his first TNA run), I don't think he'd be a good fit.

At this weekend's Raw live event in Puerto Rico, Leo Kruger, Ryback, and Ricardo Rodriguez all wrestled. Ricardo teamed with Alberto. I don't know if they're thinking of putting him in the ring full-time, but I definitely think he can get over handsomely as a comedy character. Kruger's a former FCW Champion I haven't heard much on, and Ryback used to be Skip Sheffield.

After the break, I go into everything else from the weekend. Next up, John Cena talks about his differences with The Rock.
John Cena talked ahead of a Raw live event in Charlotte.

Arn Anderson talked about going into the Hall of Fame, the Four Horsemen, today's wrestling and more. Good read from one of the top minds in the business.

Here's the latest installment of John Morrison's improv-related interview.

For my take on PWInsider.com's Sunday questions (for some reason Saturday's wasn't up):
1. What else do you need!? I find very little fault with Sheamus. Fantastic talent and I hope he continues to grow and excel.

2. Since that's the most credible site out there, and they're not commenting on it, any answer I give would be a guess. From the sound of things, though, it wasn't any kind of injury that put him out of action.

3. I think the way they have it set up now makes a lot more sense than Raw vs. Smackdown. Faces unhappy with Laurinaitis and heels unhappy with Long being on their respective teams would be kind of silly to me. Their scenario makes sense, but I can't help but think that they MIGHT want to write off Laurinaitis so he can exclusively focus on his backstage duties. But given that I'm about the only one who has that theory and it's just a hunch, I wouldn't read much into it.

4. Why they'd wait until the last minute to hype such a big celebrity is beyond me. They could very well be scrambling for a back-up plan because something went south with the deal with Shaq.

5. I personally prefer him as a face, though I'm not crazy about him in 2012 either way. He had to have been more successful in the '80s drawing-wise.


C.M. Punk had a Q&A with, appropriately enough, Inked magazine. Great stuff as always from him. The world needs more C.M. Punks.

Sheamus was legitimately busted open with the World Championship by Daniel Bryan over the weekend. I hope they're more careful with that kind of thing in the future.

The Miami Herald continued its stellar Mania coverage with an impressive hype piece including quotes by Mick Foley and Triple H.

Sean Waltman talked about The Rock and John Cena's backstage demeanors.

Note that this news came out before Raw so this could be official or just something thrown out the window: This weekend, it was believed that The Miz could replace Alberto Del Rio on John Laurinaitis' team, with Mick Foley joining Team Long.

Hollywoodlife.com had a brief Q&A with Sheamus. Not exactly they heaviest journalism, but it got his name out there and gave some insight on who he is beyond a wrestler.

Finally, Arn Anderson was honored at a WWE live event in Charlotte. C.M. Punk called him out after the main event, and he came with John Cena because the spotlight should never be on a non-wrestler (what a concept!). He gave some heartfelt words about those two and the fans in attendance. He was played out to the Four Horsemen music, and a number of wrestlers shook his hand on the way to the back. Good story.

That's all for the weekend's news. More to come tomorrow as I finally catch up.Thanks for reading!