WWE Rumors: Steve Austin, Mark Henry, Wade Barrett and Friday's Top WWE News

We have reached the end of the WWE pay-per-view year. We are just two days away from TLC, and while the build has been lacking, the matches have a lot of potential—with the exception of Kevin Nash vs. Triple H—and something memorable usually happens in these gimmick matches. 

But before we can get to TLC, we have to focus on the news of the day from the pro wrestling world. And, as is always the case, there is plenty to talk about and not enough time to cram it all in, but we will do what we can. 

If you have something that you have to get off your chest, by all means go ahead. We encourage you to yell at us and tell us what we missed or didn't get right. 

STONE COLD LAYS DOWN ULTIMATUM FOR ONE MORE MATCH

Fans have been clamoring for one more match from "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for years; there was some hope that it would happen at WrestleMania 28, but that won't happen. On Twitter, a fan asked Jim Ross if Austin would ever wrestle again. He saw it and responded with this:

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Austin ever wrestle again?

His facetious Twitter response aside, I think that there is a better chance of him working one more match at some point than there was four years ago. It won't happen until 2013, if ever, but I would be surprised if it didn't happen.

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Beer Hose Baths

Austin is not going to wrestle anytime soon, but just the fact that he is talking about it gets wrestling fans excited.

Deeper Dive

Steve Austin Will Return Only Under One Condition (B/R) 

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WILL MARK HENRY BE EVEN MORE IMMOBILE THAN NORMAL AT TLC?

As if Mark Henry could get any worse in the ring, now he goes and visits the hospital to get his ankle looked at. The news was broken by Road Dogg on Twitter, though he would clarify that it is just a check-up.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Henry be affected at the pay-per-view?

Our Take: The beauty of being a big menacing monster on television is that you don't have to do a lot to make a match work. He will be his usual self by the time we get to Sunday.

Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Chair Matches Not Worth Watching

I don't understand the point of having Henry and Show battle in a chairs match, unless they plan on having Show do the knockout punch on Henry to win the title. I can't see Henry dropping the belt because he is still drawing good numbers on SmackDown. 

Deeper Dive

Top 10 WWE Storylines From 2011 (B/R)

TLC Predictions You Can Take To The Bank (B/R)

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WWE ADMITS THAT THE DIVAS AREN'T VERY GOOD

For those fans who hate seeing divas matches on television, you are not alone. Vince McMahon and the rest of the creative don't like them either, at least according to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Why does WWE keep divas around?

Our Take: Vince McMahon is a pervert who likes to stare at beautiful young women would be my best guess. Plus, the fact that Kelly Kelly gets in magazines like Maxim brings him the mainstream publicity that he is so desperate for. 

Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Employee Morale Parties

The divas, or at least the way they are booked, have made them pointless. If McMahon isn't happy with the way that they are perceived, he has no one to blame but himself. He could have hired actual female wrestlers, but he wants the models with no real athletic ability. 

Deeper Dive

Why WWE Is Unwilling To Push The Divas (B/R)

An Update On The Divas In WWE (Wrestling Observer, Subscription Required)

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WADE BARRETT BELIEVES HE IS ON HIS WAY TO MAIN EVENTS

Barrett has been on a roll lately, and TLC is going to be a big test to see just how far he goes in WWE. He said in a recent interview with Scott Clair of Naples News that he sees this match as being the start of big things for him.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Barrett really get his big push?

Our Take: It is time to see what they have in Barrett, so I think that this Sunday is going to be the most important night of his career to this point. The good news is that Orton has been fantastic in the ring lately, so there is no reason to think this match won't be good. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Hardcore Englishmen

Barrett's always had the potential to be a top star in the WWE, but the ill-fated feud with John Cena in 2010 pushed him back down the card. He has worked his way back up and will be a main-event heel for a long time to come. 

Deeper Dive

Who's Stock Is Rising and Falling Heading Into TLC (B/R)

Wade Barrett's Dreams Are Coming True (Naples News)

Check back for more on the WWE as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of the WWE. For more WWE talk, check out Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss.

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