Chicago Sun-Times: UPN could smack down the WWE

According to Leslie Moonves, co-president and co-CEO of Viacom Entertainment, the UPN network has decided to make a shift in programming philosophy -- and that philosophy may not include WWE programming. With less than a year left on the "SmackDown" contract, UPN likely will announce in the coming months that the WWE will not be renewed as part of the new UPN strategy.

Moonves conceded the show is good counter-programming to the big networks' Thursday prime-time lineups, and that the show still did make a "decent amount of money," but that won't be enough to keep the plug from getting pulled.

Still, dropping the WWE just doesn't make much sense. UPN has been consistently last in the ratings -- but not because of "SmackDown." And it won't take long for "SmackDown" to find a new home if need be. In fact, a shift could be part of a major broadcast change for the WWE as the "Raw" contract on Spike TV is coming up soon -- and the ratings on Spike never have come close to what the WWE drew on USA.

AROUND THE RING: Some reports claim The Rock has told the WWE he would come back at "WrestleMania," but only if he can have a match vs. Sting. Rocky has made a point to use Mania as a platform for some firsts, and fighting Sting would fit the bill. But don't hold your breath; with the pending return of Stone Cold Steve Austin, the WWE feels it has enough star power. ... The WWE is planning another "Taboo Tuesday" event in November.