WWE Smackdown/ECW tapings, Jonathan Coachman and ESPN, Mick Foley, Lance Storm comments on little people, AWA match listings

-The Smackdown and ECW tapings take place tonight in Grand Rapids, Mich. WWE is advertising Colin Delaney's contract signing, C.M. Punk vs. The Miz, and Kane vs. John Morrison. Meanwhile, TNA will tape next week's Imapct in Orlando, Fla. tonight at Universal Studios in Orlando.

-In a story published last week, Slam Wrestling writer Jon Waldman spoke with ESPN media relations manager Dave Nagle about reports that Jonathan Coachman has been hired by ESPN. "All I can say is that these rumors are untrue...we do not have a signed deal," Waldman said. "There is nothing more to say." To read the full Slam Wrestling story, visit Slam Wrestling.

Meanwhile, Jim Ross stated in his latest blog that Coach has not signed a contract with ESPN and is still under WWE contract. Could it be that Coach and ESPN have struck a deal where Coach will join the staff in Bristol once his WWE expires? Stay tuned.

-Lance Storm latest commentary features his thoughts on little people in wrestling. Is he as hard on little people as he has been on TNA booking? Nah. Rather, he shares some fun stories about working with little people, which you can check out at StormWrestling.com. He even mentioned that WWE Raw lead writer Brian Gewirtz is "camera phobic." [Thanks to Dave Kinney and Ryan Madland]

-Mick Foley will serve as a guest referee during WWE's tour of Mexico that kicks off on May 21. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Foley is replacing Randy Orton on the tour. You may recall that Orton asked for time off from some of the house shows and the company pulled him from the tour of Mexico as a result.

-ESPN is taking over U.S. Open tennis coverage in 2009, meaning WWE won't have to be worried about being bumped from USA Network starting next year. [Thanks to Dot Net reader Mike Abitabile]

-The following matches are being advertised for tonight's AWA on ESPN Classic show: Midnight Rockers vs. Pistol Pete and Buddha Khan, Surfer vs. Rocky Mountain Thunder, Baron Von Raschke squash, Ricky Rice and one of the Guerreros vs. Badd Company, Olympia vs. Debbie Combs. The show was taped on March 14, 1998.