WWE Rumors: Triple H, Shawn Michaels, John Cena and Friday's Top WWE News

WWE may be closed for business now that we are just two days away from Christmas, but that does not mean we are short on news. In fact, there is so much coming out right now that it feels like an early present from Vince McMahon, our favorite Scrooge. 

Lame holiday references aside, there is a lot to talk about from the wide world of professional wrestling. We have big updates on plans for WrestleMania and where WWE might be looking to go, as well as bad news for fans of the "Indy-riffic" edition of Raw. 

So sit back, relax and sip some egg nog while you are soaking up all the madness from the WWE on this day that is two days before the day after tomorrow. 

SHAWN MICHAELS PUTTING ON THE STRIPES FOR TRIPLE H-'TAKER AT 'MANIA

It has been a while since we have seen Shawn Michaels on WWE television, too long actually, but we will not have to worry about a WrestleMania without the Showstopper. With his BFF set to wrestle the man who retired him, HBK is rumored to be added to the match as the special referee.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will HBK add intrigue to another Triple H-Undertaker match?

Our Take: Unless there is something big at stake in the match, like a career, then I can't see this match feeling special. But just adding Michaels to it doesn't really strike me as a necessary move, though I will admit to being excited to seeing him back because I am an HBK mark. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 WrestleMania Rematches

Minor gripes about how the story will play out, when these three were in the ring last year on the go-home show for 'Mania it was terrific. Hopefully they can get that magic back one year later. 

Deeper Dive

The 20 Best Interviews, Promos and Angles of 2011 (B/R)

Plans For Undertaker-Triple H-HBK At WrestleMania (Wrestling Observer - Subscription Required)

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JOHN CENA REALLY WANTS ALL THE GLORY AT WRESTLEMANIA

In addition to being in the main event of the biggest WWE pay-per-view of all-time, presumably, Cena is still pushing for his match with The Rock be for the WWE championship because it would be even bigger. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: Does Cena have a point?

Our Take: If you believe the championship means something, yes. But for those of us who have seen what it has been diluted to in recent years, we know that this match is going to draw big business with or without that shiny prize going to the winner. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Reasons To Hate John Cena

Cena doesn't need the title to be relevant. The Rock isn't going to be around long enough to justify giving him the championship. Let's just keep our matches as they are presently constructed and stop trying to hog all the glory. 

Deeper Dive

A New Feud For Cena In The Works (B/R)

Cena and Rock For the Title (NoDQ)

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VINCE MCMAHON PROVES IWC WRONG WITH LOW-RATED RAW

I held off on talking about the low rating for Raw until I saw the breakdowns, and now that I have, it scares me to think what we are in for. Vince McMahon panics over the ratings, and with the overrun being one of the lowest rated since before the Attitude Era, you know something stupid is going to happen. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: Are CM Punk and Daniel Bryan going to be big draws in WWE?

Our Take: Punk's window of opportunity may have closed with the terrible way that his return angle was handled, though he wasn't exactly drawing big numbers before that, even after the shoot promo heard 'round the world. 

Bryan has potential because he is arguably the best technical wrestler in the world and has the ability to talk, but Michael Cole can't keep burying him week after week if the fans are going to take him seriously. 

Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 Signs That Bad Booking Does Lead To Bad Ratings

WWE's booking of its stars has been handled so poorly that a low rating should have been expected. Still, the fact that it was so low should be a sign to Vince and Stephanie that maybe the problem lies with them and their terrible decisions over the last few years. 

Deeper Dive

Raw Main Event Is Lowest Rated Overrun Of 2011 (B/R)

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BRODUS CLAY GETTING HEAT FOR USING TWITTER

Considering how much WWE love shoving Twitter down our throats on a weekly basis, you would think that one of their wrestlers using the site to start an angle would be readily encouraged. Unfortunately for Brodus Clay, his happy-typing finger has gotten him in trouble with the bosses. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Brodus Clay ever going to come back?

Our Take: I am sure at some point that he will, because he is under contract, but when he does, there will be no announcement or fan fare. I wouldn't be surprised to see him just show up and get destroyed by Kane or Big Show or Mark Henry. 

Hype Meter: 3 out of 5 Reasons Vince McMahon Isn't The Genius Everyone Says He Is

It's a sad day when a wrestler uses a site that the announcers talk about 300 times every show and gets heat from the bosses for doing so. I think that WWE would be surprised to learn how little social media sites actually impact the overall business. If they did have a big effect, CM Punk and Zack Ryder would be huge draws, and from the ratings pattern, that isn't true. 

Deeper Dive

More On Brodus Clay's Backstage Heat (B/R)

Brodus Clay's Got Heat (Wrestling Observer - Subscription Required)

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