As we noted earlier today, both The Undertaker and his wife Michelle McCool have been spotted in Philadelphia, the host city for this weekend’s WWE Royal Rumble events.

According to PWInsider.com, more names have arrived in Philly, including recent WWE signees Candice LeRae and Ricochet. Shawn Michaels is in Philly likely to work backstage at tonight’s NXT Takeover Philadelphia event.

The most interesting name also in Philadelphia is former Impact Wrestling Champion EC3. As we have been reporting since EC3 officially finished up with Impact at the last set of TV tapings, he is likely headed to WWE, and contractually is available to appear in the Royal Rumble match on Sunday.

Please do NOT name him Derek Bateman, again...

I wouldn't mind seeing Mrs Wrestling, LeRae tonight. and I really really want to see McCool in the Rumble.

Jan 27, 2018 19:50:28 GMT Mistress said:

As we noted earlier today, both The Undertaker and his wife Michelle McCool have been spotted in Philadelphia, the host city for this weekend’s WWE Royal Rumble events.

According to PWInsider.com, more names have arrived in Philly, including recent WWE signees Candice LeRae and Ricochet. Shawn Michaels is in Philly likely to work backstage at tonight’s NXT Takeover Philadelphia event.

The most interesting name also in Philadelphia is former Impact Wrestling Champion EC3. As we have been reporting since EC3 officially finished up with Impact at the last set of TV tapings, he is likely headed to WWE, and contractually is available to appear in the Royal Rumble match on Sunday.

Please do NOT name him Derek Bateman, again...

I wouldn't mind seeing Mrs Wrestling, LeRae tonight. and I really really want to see McCool in the Rumble.

WHAT!? Derrick Bateman was one of my favorite characters/gimmicks of the past 10+ years. As long as they/he could recapture that same magic, he should totally come back as DB.

Did a seminar with EC3 and met him briefly when he came to wrestle in Australia (he just used it as paid vacation to propose, smart thinking). Hopefully he does well back in the WWE.. one of the very few “name” guys that actually is a decent Human being. Though If he eliminates my rumble pick he can rot in hell 😳😂

He needs a different name than Derrick Bateman. That character sucked. I assume EC3 is not available. So, they need something new. I like the wrestler, hope whatever they do works for him.

Jan 28, 2018 15:53:41 GMT Ace Levy said:

He needs a different name than Derrick Bateman. That character sucked. I assume EC3 is not available. So, they need something new. I like the wrestler, hope whatever they do works for him.

Again, WHAT!?

Did they do something else with Derrick Bateman before or after that ruined him? His patriotic, idiotic bro character that idolized Steve Blackman and was trying to help Daniel Bryan with the ladies was hilarious and awesome. His stuff with Dirty Curty was awesome as well, I thought.

Admittedly, I'm not at all familiar with his work as EC3, so perhaps it was just as entertaining? Hard for me to imagine though.

Can't believe there's all this #realDB hate though.

I can't find the video but they made him look desperate backstage for a match. Also, EC3 looked cool. Bateman had a greasy flop of gross hair! Talented guy, needs a new character if EC3 isn't available.

Jan 28, 2018 15:53:41 GMT Ace Levy said:

He needs a different name than Derrick Bateman. That character sucked. I assume EC3 is not available. So, they need something new. I like the wrestler, hope whatever they do works for him.

TNA signed over character rights recently and he went by EC3 on TakeOver.

I've always had a soft spot for EC3. He wasn't the best wrestler in the world, but he comes off well in interviews and usually tried to make the most of what he had in NXT and TNA.

Yeah, Darrick Bateman was a joke... Ethan Carter III is definitely the better character. Hopefully, he'll get a better WWE run, this time around.

A WWE version of EC3 is cool with me. Great character.

BTW, when is Undertaker just going away? He's hitting Hogan and Flair levels at this point! Just retire! Move on old man.

EC3 is a top name? In what world?

Undertaker is a top name , but I have zero interest in hearing from him at all this year.

EC3 Is a top talent. Just skeptical on his name and character in the E. Can they use the name or character? He was great in TNA. Can the convert that? Dude sucked in the E before!

Taker needs to go away. Once a year is all about a payday and he lost at Mania for the only time, breaking the the streak to the worst option ever!

If you lose that streak, do it to a new guy!

Jan 28, 2018 16:50:26 GMT UT said:

EC3 is a top name? In what world?

Undertaker is a top name , but I have zero interest in hearing from him at all this year.

Well EC3 was a multi time world champion in the number two wrestling company in North America, so I'm sure a case can be made for him being a top talent.

Jan 28, 2018 19:55:35 GMT Lony said:

Jan 28, 2018 16:50:26 GMT UT said:

EC3 is a top name? In what world?

Undertaker is a top name , but I have zero interest in hearing from him at all this year.

Well EC3 was a multi time world champion in the number two wrestling company in North America, so I'm sure a case can be made for him being a top talent.

Multi time champion at a B-Rate operation , doesn't make him a top name. Doug Flutie was the most successful CFL player of all time and won titles , didn't mean shit until he came to the big leagues. 

Jan 28, 2018 20:25:09 GMT UT said:

Jan 28, 2018 19:55:35 GMT Lony said:

Well EC3 was a multi time world champion in the number two wrestling company in North America, so I'm sure a case can be made for him being a top talent.

Multi time champion at a B-Rate operation , doesn't make him a top name. Doug Flutie was the most successful CFL player of all time and won titles , didn't mean shit until he came to the big leagues. 

Except it does mean shit, he became a star in TNA, not the WWE... do you think they'd want him back if it wasn't for that TNA run?

Nope.

Jan 28, 2018 20:35:51 GMT Lony said:

Except it does mean shit, he became a star in TNA, not the WWE... do you think they'd want him back if it wasn't for that TNA run?

Nope.

That is certainly true, but being a main eventer in a small promotion does not mean you will be one in a big promotion. Not every NXT champ has gone on to be a top star on the main roster. This is pretty much the same thing.

Jan 28, 2018 20:35:51 GMT Lony said:

Jan 28, 2018 20:25:09 GMT UT said:

Multi time champion at a B-Rate operation , doesn't make him a top name. Doug Flutie was the most successful CFL player of all time and won titles , didn't mean shit until he came to the big leagues. 

Except it does mean shit, he became a star in TNA, not the WWE... do you think they'd want him back if it wasn't for that TNA run?

Nope.

That's perfectly fine. My point stands.

There's really only been 3 things I can say were good about TNA in the past few years. Broken Universe, EC3 and Lashley. And now all three might be in WWE. LOL.

Jan 28, 2018 15:53:41 GMT Ace Levy said:

He needs a different name than Derrick Bateman. That character sucked. I assume EC3 is not available. So, they need something new. I like the wrestler, hope whatever they do works for him.

He can use EC3. He trademarked it while in Impact. It's his name.

Jan 28, 2018 20:35:51 GMT Lony said:

Lony, I've got a box of Flutie Flakes sitting proudly in my pantry. NEVER disrespect Flutie! Heisman trophy winner and a three time Grey Cup champion and named MVP in all of them. He also had a few NFL runs. Nobody puts Flutie in the corner!Anyway, EC3 has the potential, it depends on how the E utilizes it. I hope they give him some freedom to work with.