WWE News & Notes 2014: Possible Role for Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania 30, IC & US Title Unification Discussed, Kaitlyn Released, More

Rumors of potential storylines for Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania XXX, despite yet signing with the company, continue to heat up as the Road to Wrestlemania begins at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, with the latest one having the WWE icon team up with John Cena and Daniel Bryan in a Six Man Tag Team match against The Wyatts. While Hogan may not be able to pass a physical to compete in singles competition or a tag team match, but may be cleared for a Six Man Tag Team match, where his role could be limited. Bray Wyatt is considered a top project and is getting a considerable push, which is why he may have a big role at Wrestlemania.

Dolph Ziggler may be out of action for a while after suffering a concussion injury in match against Ryback at a WWE Superstars taping. Ziggler has suffered his second concussion in the last year and will not be allowed back into the ring until he passes his ImPACT test to the doctors' satisfaction according to WWE.com.

"His symptoms have improved significantly since the injury on Monday, so our plan right now is to have him continue to rest, and when he is asymptomatic have him start doing some light cardiovascular exercise, and if that goes OK, we will proceed with our exertional protocol," said WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann.

Word is that Ryback is taking heat for being too stiff in the ring, leading to injuries for those in the ring with him, as well as making fun of ring announcer Lillian Garcia while on the commentator desk during Monday Night Raw. Another wrestler with possible heat in the locker room is Batista, despite not even having set foot in the ring. Batista responded to Alberto Del Rio, via Twitter, after he was called out on Monday Night Raw, responding "Who is Alberto Del Rio?"

Del Rio responded back on the social media Web site, saying he was winning world titles while Batista was getting his "ass kick by your plumber" in reference to his one MMA match against Vince Lucero. Batista replied back tweeting, "Seems 2 me that some C level stars in a B level star era have bought into their own hype. Don't turn a work into a shoot. #realitycheck", before erasing the message.

According to PWInsider.com, Batista's tweet was seen as burying the rest of the wrestlers in the company, irking some of the wrestlers in the organization. Batista is set to start with the WWE on January 20 edition of Monday Night Raw and will be a participant in the Royal Rumble.

WWE Diva Kaitlyn has parted was with the company this week. "The Hybrid Diva" left the company reportedly because she felt the writers were not doing anything with her character. Kaitlyn had asked for her release months ago but was told to be patient because they had plans in mind for her. After months of waiting, she asked for her release and it was granted.

Former WWE announcer Jim Ross could have a new gig on the horizon, writing on his blog he has been in negotiations to work with Fox Sports. Ross wrote an article over the weekend for Foxsports.com on the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, and a back-and-forth argument over Ric Flair's support of the 49ers prior to their playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Ross said in his blog that he is close to signing a deal and is looking forward to working with the sports media company. Ross is an avid college football fan with ties to the University of Oklahoma Sooners football team as well as a fan of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), who have a deal with Fox Sports.

With Roman Reigns being rumored to be on his way out of The Shield and headed for a face turn, there are rumors that NXT star Mason Ryan could take Reigns' spot in The Shield.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that the WWE is considering unifying the Intercontinental championship and the United States championship at the Elimination Chamber PPV in February. WWE.com recently did an article interviewing Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston and United States Champion Dean Ambrose about the prospect of unifying the titles much like Randy Orton did at TLC when he defeated John Cena in a Tables, Ladder, & Chairs match, unifying the Heavyweight title and the WWE title, and both champions were in favor of such a match.