Amid speculation that he will be retiring after WrestleMania, WWE Raw superstar Shawn Michaels spoke to MySanAntonio.com this week and implied that he might be taking another extended hiatus from WWE after WrestleMania 26 min MArch.

“I take four months off in the summer and just spend time with the family,” Michaels said. “It’s a tough line of work. Those injuries hang around longer and those injuries are tougher to deal with. When I stop, my body will have an opportunity to heal and rest. That comes along with the territory.”

Michaels took four months off after his match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 earlier this year and now that he’s back still only works a limited schedule.

“I actually don’t have to take on the schedule that the other guys have to take on,” Michaels said. “I wrestle more on a part-time basis.”

WrestleMania XXVI - March 28, 2010

With WWE Survivor Series already in the rear-view mirror, we’ve turned corner on WWE’s calendar year and the road to WrestleMania 26 has begun. Here’s the latest on what WWE is currently planning for the big event:

– There is a feeling in WWE that something special’ needs to be done with The Undertaker for WrestleMania 26. WWE knows that more and more fans are tired of the same old matches and want to deliver a match that fans have not seen before. The Dead Man’s health continues to deteriorate and he’s less mobile now than he’s ever been, so his years as a Wrestlemania draw are certainly winding down. Right now, a match with John Cena is being strongly considered as the main event for WrestleMania.

– There is also talk of a Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels match at WrestleMania 26. The two have wrestled each other many times before, but not in several years and never on the grand stage of WrestleMania. While DX is still one of the top babyface acts in WWE, this one makes sense and WWE may have planted the seed for the match at Survivor Series with HBK superkicking the Game in the opening moments of their triple threat match with John Cena.

– At one point, there had been a plan for a CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio Hair vs. Mask match at WrestleMania 26, but this is unlikely to happen now considering Mysterio’s injury problems.

(Credit to PWInsider for some of the information used in this report)

WWE announcer Jerry Lawler tells the UK Sun that even if Jim Ross is healthy and able to return to work in the coming months, WWE will probably hold off on bringing him back to the announcer’s table until WrestleMania 26 next year.

“There’s a strong possibility that WrestleMania could be when he makes a return,” Lawler said. “Even if it’s a situation where he could return a little bit before that, it might be best to just wait and let him come back at Mania — as the comeback of JR would be a big draw.”

Lawler repeated what JR said in a recent blog, that it will two or three months to become “facially ready” for TV again. Lawler says Ross’s voice sounds fine over the phone and someone on the other end wouldn’t know he’s only able to talk out of one side of his mouth.

“I texted him last night, and spoke with him this past week, and he’s doing better but says it will probably be a few months before he’s facially ready to be back on television,” Lawler said. “But when you talk to him, when you just hear his voice, you can’t tell. He doesn’t have slurred speech any more.”

– The Undertaker vs. John Cena is one of the planned main-event’s for WrestleMania 26, according to F4WOnline.com. The groundwork for potential matchup was set on this past Monday’s RAW when Cena received a tombstone after the main-event match had ended.

– According to sources, WrestleMania 27 is looking to be held in Toronto at the Rogers Centre. WWE is still weighing other options including Miami, Indianapolis and Atlanta and an official decision should be made soon.

– During an interview with the Hartford Courant, WWE Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham hit out at Linda McMahon and her run for senate. “She may look like a Sunday school teacher,” Graham said. “Linda McMahon’s hands are as bloody as her husband’s because she is aware of every move in the ring.” Graham said WWE has changed their colors and deceived the public before Linda’s run for Senate. He cites the lack of blood, Divas posing for Playboy and the lack of bra and panties matches as examples.

– The rating for this week’s Raw is not in yet, but it looks like WWE may have a tough time matching last week’s low 3.1 number. Last night’s NFL Monday Night Football game on ESPN featuring Bret Favre leading the Minnesota Vikings over his old squad, the Green Bay Packers scored a huge 14.2 metered-market rating, according to SportsBusinessDaily.com. The game is expected to be the most watched program in the history of cable television, once the final numbers come in.

– The plan as of this past weekend was to have Beth Phoenix as the next challenger to Mickie James’ Divas Championship.

– SEScoops reader Alex sent in the first official promotional poster for WWE’s WrestleMania 26. Next year’s big event takes place on March 28th, 2010 from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona: