Backstage News: HBK’s Retirement, ‘Taker Time Off, J.R/’Mania

Roddy Piper taped an appearance on Friday night for Bob Saget’s upcoming A&E reality special episode on pro wrestling. Saget also took footage at the Dragon Gate USA event in Phoenix.

Shawn Michaels has reportedly been telling his friends for months that WrestleMania 26 would be his last show. Of course he may change his mind, on his own or due to being convinced, but as of now he is saying the retirement is legit.

The Undertaker is expected to take some time off, although he is booked to appear on the European tour.

A story on Toronto bidding for WrestleMania 28 is available at http://www.thestar.com/ According to the article, Toronto was the front runner for the 2012 Mania (as it was rumored to be for this year and next year), but WWE is using the money generated by WrestleMania for local economies as a way to play cities off against each other. The company has asked for bids for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 shows, with the best three winning a show. So far Miami, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Orlando, Tampa, Houston, New York, Detroit, Dallas, New Orleans, Vancouver and two other cities have made bids.

Vince McMahon made the call for Jim Ross not to be involved in WrestleMania. When Jerry Lawler mentioned him at the Hall of Fame ceremony, he got a huge reaction.

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