WWE News WWE News: Raw news & notes - "Sunny" HOF announcement, Ziggler switches brands, Brodus Clay's role, Hunter's Smackdown return, Sin Cara, "Tough Enough" sneak peek
Mar 7, 2011 - 11:20:08 PM
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By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor
The following are news and notes from this week's WWE Raw episode on March 7.
-- Sunny (Tammy Sytch) was revealed as the latest WWE Hall of Fame inductee. Sytch joins Shawn Michaels, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, and "Bullet" Bob Armstrong as the first four 2011 inductees officially confirmed.
-- WrestleMania 27 developments: Triple H vs. The Undertaker will be No Holds Barred. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who returned to Raw this week, will be special referee for Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole. (Read More (WWE News).)
-- Next week's Raw: U.S. champion Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus for the U.S. Title with Sheamus's job on the line, Trish Stratus vs. Vickie Guerrero with Vickie's Raw job on the line, Snooki guest-starring, Randy Orton vs. Mason Ryan. (Read More (WWE News).)
-- Dolph Ziggler was brought back to television as a new member of the Raw roster after being "fired" from Smackdown. Ziggler went over John Morrison in his first match back.
-- During a commercial that aired in the local Houston market, WWE advertised Triple H's Smackdown return on this week's show, which will be taped Tuesday in Houston.
WWE also advertised a ten-man tag match, presumably for the live audience in Houston, featuring Hunter & Big Show & Rey Mysterio & John Cena & World Hvt. champion Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio & Wade Barrett & The Corre.
-- NXT Season 4 runner-up Brodus Clay officially debuted as Alberto Del Rio's bodyguard. Clay was defeated by Christian in a singles match.
-- Smackdown cameos this week: Christian, Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez, and Jack Swagger.
-- WWE ran an introductory video package on Sin Cara (formerly Mistico), focusing on his mask, his look, and his high-flying offense.
-- Divas champion Eve retained the Divas Title over Nikki Bella, who earned a title shot by winning a battle royal on last week's Raw.
-- With "Stone Cold" Steve Austin on this week's Raw episode, USA Network aired the first look at the new season of "Tough Enough" launching April 4. Prior to Raw, Entertainment Weekly posted the first look at the show. The video is available at EW.com.
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