WWE to Fox? – Last night at the WWE SmackDown tapings, FS1 host Colin Cowherd, Fox Sports President Eric Shanks and Fox Sports Talent Producer Jacob Ullman were all invited guests to SmackDown last night. The reasoning for this is pretty obvious and that’s because Fox and WWE have mutual interest. Apparently Fox is willing to spend more on WWE than previously deals due to Fox selling off their studio’s to Disney. Since Fox no longer has an in house studio, and will be acquiring third parties, the WWE makes a lot of sense to them due to their 52 week regular schedule. Fox is also home to the UFC whom may be looking for a new network themselves, thus making the WWE super attractive. Cowherd mentioned on his show that he met privately with Stephanie McMahon, and talked to her. He also discussed the WWE on his show this afternoon, putting them over as a ‘sport’ and highlighting how tough it is to make it there. He did a good job talking up not just the company but the profession. I’m told, that while nothing is finalized yet or even close to being, WWE has a desire to move to Fox if they’ll have them (for the right amount). WWE’s deal with NBC Universal’s USA Network ends in September of next year, but the WWE wants to announce a new deal by the summer. Right now it’s either USA or Fox Sports 1 who are expected to land the WWE.

Gronk to WWE? – Also mentioned on Cowherd’s show is the interest Rob Gronkowski has in signing with the WWE. While Cowherd wasn’t too keen on Gronk, and really did a good job railroading Gronk, the idea isn’t new. Gronk is thinking about leaving the NFL at only 28 years old, with rumors speculating he’s unhappy with the culture in New England. The idea would be to see him go to Hollywood and wrestle for the WWE should he retire. The WWE wants Gronk, not just because he’s a big time sports star who could further legitimize the WWE, but also because he’d help the WWE transition to FS1 should they end up there. The WWE apparently wants to push for more ‘real’ athletes like Gronk, Rousey and others in case they end up on FS1.

Rey at WrestleMania – As mentioned last night, the current rumor has John Cena facing off with Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania according to Sports Illustrated. Another, less reputable site is claiming that Cena will still face off with The Undertaker, but that’ll happen on SmackDown Live and not on RAW. However, as I mentioned I talked to several surgeons who specialize in join replacements over the weekend, and all three of them said to me that no doctor worth his degree would ever clear a person with a join replacement to ever engage in contact sports. So the likelihood of The Undertaker ever being cleared again is slim to none. That being said, the WWE could eat the insurance and have him cleared to wrestle even if he shouldn’t be. However that could open up the WWE to some serious litigation and possible licensing issues should it be found that they forged ‘Taker’s clearance to wrestle.

Quick Hits – Dana White claims that chances Brock Lesnar returns to the UFC are ‘…very very very good’. The current plan for Jeff Hardy’s return may see him back by WrestleMania 34 to reunite with his brother Matt. Flosports and WWNLive have resolved their legal issues, announcing today via a press release that the terms of which will remain confidential.