-- Maria is expected to return to SmackDown imminently as filming for Celebrity Apprentice wrapped up last week. The ninth installment of the United States version of The Apprentice will premiere next spring on NBC. (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
-- As reported yesterday, Lauren Mayhew has given up her role as a ring announcer for WWE as both parties agreed to part ways this past week. The aspiring actress/singer wrote the following note on her Twitter account last night regarding her departure from the company:
"No longer ring announcing on WWE for the time being because I will be focusing on my acting and music in the new year. I will miss my new friends."
-- In today's WWE birthday, ECW play-by-play commentator Josh Mathews turns 29 years old. He was only 20 years old when he took part in the first installment of Tough Enough in 2001.
