Jeff Hardy's WWE Contract Update, Locker-Room Backstage News

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

? As reported on last weekend, Jeff Hardy has not signed a new deal with WWE and the feeling internally is that he will be taking some extended time off. Hardy's contract with WWE is set to expire in the next few weeks and there are reports that WWE is efforting to get him to stay through SummerSlam.

? In looking at the comparisons between the Raw and Smackdown brands within WWE, many of the top wrestlers on Smackdown (Undertaker, Edge, Chris Jericho) tend to have more input when it comes to ideas, storylines, finishes and other things. Although Jericho and Shawn Michaels had that on Raw and Triple H and Randy Orton have that on Raw as well, the feeling is that Michael Hayes can most likely understand where wrestlers are coming from when it comes to their programs instead of Brian Gewirtz. Another reason is also because Raw tends to be more of a character driven show with wrestling part of it, while Smackdown is more wrestling heavy with storylines revolving around the wrestling.

? There are still WWE production trucks that feature giant photos of Umaga and Mr. Kennedy. Some WWE fans were spotted taking pictures of themselves next to the trucks at the last set of TV tapings.