WWE News: Batista Update, Flair to Induct Steamboat, and Rourke Out of WrestleMania?

– Ric Flair will be inducting Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat into the WWE Hall of Fame in April. Steve Austin had requested that Ric Flair induct him into the Hall, but when word got out, Vince McMahon changed plans. [Credit: Pwinsider.com]

– Word is that Batista is now training twice a week at the gym, after recovering from hamstring surgery. While his return date is planned for late June, most expect him to be back in action at Summerslam. [Credit: Pwinsider.com]

– The Associated Press issued the following article this evening:

Mickey Rourke won’t rumble with WWE superstar

HOUSTON (AP) — A spokeswoman for actor Mickey Rourke says he won’t be taking his role as a professional wrestler into a real-life ring after all.

Paula Woods told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that Rourke will not wrestle WWE superstar Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 25 in April at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

Woods wrote in an e-mail that the Oscar-nominated actor “will not be participating in Wrestlemania. He is focusing entirely on his acting career.”

Rourke portrays professional wrestler Randy the Ram in the acclaimed movie “The Wrestler.” He made a surprise announcement about the wrestling event Sunday night on the red carpet before the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.

Rourke had said he was going to toss Jericho “around the ring like tossed salad.”