WWE Signs That Mystery Chick, the Latest on Batista’s Ring Return, WWE vs. TNA

Partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

- Batista’s in-ring return date is tentatively slated for WWE Survivor Series, which takes place in Washington, DC. There was some optimism that he would try to return later this summer, but given reports that he is becoming aware of age’s impact on his body, it appears he is not going to risk returning too early.

- TNA’s weekly iMPACT broadcast draws numbers significantly below those earned by SmackDown and not even in the realm of competition for WWE’s RAW telecast. It does, however, earn ratings that compete with those for ECW. A PWTorch ratings analysis found that while TNA has drawn more weekly viewers, ECW has posted a higher cable rating in the first half of 2009.

- Shimmer sent out a press release announcing that Serena Deeb, the “mystery woman” on ECW a few weeks back, has signed a developmental deal with WWE. She had trained in Ohio Valley Wrestling on her own accord but had not previously been contracted as a WWE developmental talent in the FCW facility, now WWE’s only developmental territory.