The Undertaker’s WWE Return, John Cena Backstage Update

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— There will be no “Best Of” WWE shows to end the year. The December 31st (New Year’s Eve) episode of WWE Monday night RAW will be taped on December 29th in Washington, DC. The January 2nd and January 4th WWE SmackDown and Main Event shows will be taped the following day after RAW (December 30th) in Richmond, Virginia. The December 24th (Christmas Eve) show will be a normal edition of RAW but is being taped on December 18th in Pittsburgh, PA. There will also be a TV taping the following day (December 19th) for the WWE Main Event and WWE Smackdown broadcasts. A location for that event has yet to be determined but it’ll likely be in Pennsylvania area.

— According to sources, John Cena is very limited in what he can do these days due to his recent elbow surgery. As previously reported, the injury was much worse than originally thought. Cena is trying hard to be ready for WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view but it’s difficult to tell right now. One source notes that the match is not a lock by any means. They’ll know next week and will either go with a CM Punk vs. Ryback match or possibly do a three-way with John Cena included. That would obviously lessen his workload as Punk and Ryback could work most of the match. It all depends on how ready Cena is and they simply don’t know right now. That’s why Ryback is where he is right now …. while being pushed into the main event slot in the process.

— As noted earlier, Vince McMahon expects The Undertaker to work the WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view. As noted earlier, there was talk of bringing him in as a surprise for the 2013 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view. The possibility of ‘Taker winning the ‘Rumble and getting a title shot at WrestleMania (likely the World Title on SmackDown) could draw a strong buyrate. That is by no means confirmed though.

100% DIRECT LINK (PHOTOS): The Undertaker Chilling With Some Fans!! WHOA!!!