And now a little something for the ladies, courtesy of a WWE superstar with one of the porniest names in the biz: Matt Striker. Naked photos, ostensibly of ECW color commentator Matt Striker from his developmental days, recently surfaced on an online forum and began bouncing around the blogosphere.  The pics are mostly, er, below the belt self-portraits.

Here’s the 100 percent not safe for work link.

What do you think?  Is it Striker? Are they Photoshopped?  Do you need a generous spray of Lysol in the face to make your eyes feel clean again or are you printing the pics for bathroom reading material?  Look, I’m just asking questions.

The legendary Tazz has been granted a requested release from his WWE contract, numerous wrestling news sources are reporting. The 41-year-old Smackdown color commentator reportedly cited a need to recharge his batteries as the reason for his departure.

Known as The Human Suplex Machine during his days in the original ECW, Tazz retired from in-ring action in 2002 due to injuries.  He has been calling matches for WWE since late 2000, and has been a respected ringside fixture in the company.

Tazz was spotted saying his goodbyes during Monday night’s taping, and his last show as Smackdown commentator is expected to air Friday.  Sources say he offered to work Wrestlemania, but it is unlikely he will be asked to participate.

Guesses abound as to which WWE diva will pose for Playboy this year. Most speculation has centered on the youngest WWE diva Kelly Kelly (pictured above), although recent rumors suggest that Playboy and WWE may have severed their longstanding relationship. Since January came and went with no leaks or teases about the next diva to take it all off, those rumors are looking more and more accurate. The Sun agrees:

With the WWE aiming for a more family-friendly product this year, fans fear the annual delight of a Diva in Playboy may be coming to an end.

Vince McMahon is keen to make his company more ‘PG-rated’, in a bid to win over advertisers and parents.

That could mean an end to the WrestleMania tradition of a WWE stunner stripping naked for the adult mag.

Apparently naked WWE divas and family-friendly programming don’t mix. Who knew?

Adding to the growing evidence that WWE is focusing more on the underage crowd, Kelly Kelly shared some telling news about WrestleMania 25 during an interview with the Bubba the Love Sponge radio show last weekend. When asked if there would be a bra and panties match, Kelly responded, “We’re high-road now. We’re PG.”

Those don’t sound like the words of a woman fresh off a Playboy photo shoot.

Jim Ross also weighed in on his J.R.’s BBQ blog today:

All of the sudden there is all this talk about whether or not the WWE will have a Diva in Playboy prior to Wrestlemania. First of all, I do not know. I do seriously doubt it, however. I am more interested in the WM25 card than I am about who may be “tastefully nude” in Playboy Magazine.

Could all these rumors be a ploy to throw fans off and avoid spoiling the big reveal?  Possibly, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.  There seems to be a committed effort to take the company in a new kid-friendly direction. (Just look at the last few months of ECW shows.) I just question whether this will pay off financially for the WWE. The PG product certainly isn’t earning them any accolades from adult fans.

What do you guys think?  Is this the end of the WWE/Playboy partnership?

Rob Van Dam was a surprise entrant in Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view and drew a tremendous pop from the crowd in Detroit. RVD was number 25 of 30 to enter the ring during this special appearance. He was eliminated by Chris Jericho, but not before delivering a Five-Star Frog Splash to Randy Orton.

After the show RVD appeared briefly as a guest on the WWE Universe live blog of the pay-per-view. He confirmed that the Royal Rumble was a one time gig and said, “I’m not here full time by my own choice.” He got a call on Friday and was able to work in the last minute appearance, but he appreciates having the time to be at home in California with his wife Sonya, who is battling cancer.

RVD is still working on RVD TV and RVD Radio, and will be filming an action movie in February called Wrong Side of Town. You can keep up with all the latest on Rob Van Dam on his official site.

Looks like The Baltimore Sun’s Kevin Eck was spot on. Reports are surfacing that Knockout Gail Kim has indeed parted ways with TNA and will be heading to WWE.

Gail reportedly met with WWE talent relations exec John Laurinaitis on Thursday afternoon, and is on the verge of signing with the company. Rumors suggest that Gail’s decision to jump ship from TNA was financially motivated, and that she is leaving TNA on good terms.

While Gail has not yet addressed her career move on her MySpace page, she upgraded her “mood” from “sad” to “optimistic” today.

Gail Kim’s final TNA match will air on Spike TV tonight.