Speculating on the rumors surrounding pro wrestling is a favored pastime of many fans, perhaps second only to actually watching the matches. In this daily column, we take a look at the latest rumors being churned out by the pro wrestling rumor mill.
Important reminder: Rumors are just that -- rumors. None of this has been confirmed as legitimate news or fact; so remember to take it all with a grain of salt.
Rumors for the Day:
- Barring something unforeseen, expect third generation superstar and newest "Paul Heyman Guy" Curtis Axel to be in a major title picture by the end of the year. The most likely scenario is a feud with Alberto Del Rio (who previous rumors suggested to be the biggest player on the world heavyweight title scene throughout 2013) this fall. Though with the recent rumors of "no long term plans" for WWE Champion John Cena, Axel's emergence on that scene is a definite possibly as well. (It is also believed that Heyman will continue to pull double or even triple duty as needed for his current clients: Axel, CM Punk, and Brock Lesnar.)
- Last week, TNA President Dixie Carter announced that the company had made big free agent signing. There don't seem to be any big rumors as to who it actually is, but several big name wrestling talents have stepped up to announce that it isn't them. Most notably, MVP and Batista have both denied being the signee. John Morrison is a popular name, but several reports have shot him down as a potential candidate. Rob Van Dam is still a "free agent," but had a sub-par end to his TNA run and has independent matches scheduled throughout the month of June. (RVD would also be massively disappointing as a "big" free agent.) Many are also pointing to a potential return by Jeff Jarrett, who has been off of TV since 2011. However, several months ago, it was noted that TNA made a "conscious decision" not to bring him back in an in-ring role. Regardless, news is expected to come on this subject on this Thursday's (June 6) edition of Impact.
- Former TNA X-Division champion Zima Ion posted on Twitter that he is recovering well from his emergency appendectomy two weeks ago, but has another surgery coming up to remove a tumor from his intestine that was found during the original surgery. Ion has no healthy insurance and therefore has to pay the estimated $30,000 (at least) in medical expenses out of pocket. So far, TNA has not commented on the situation regarding the medical bills. Because TNA is a privately owned company, their financial information is not available, but it would seem that paying a few thousand in medical bills would be a drop in the bucket in order to avoid the public relations backlash created by this situation. (Even the significantly smaller GALLI wrestling promotion, for which Ion once wrestled, is hosting a benefit show for Ion.)
- Speaking of the TNA X-Division, you may have noticed during Sunday night's Slammiversary pay per view that newly crowned X-Division champ Chris Sabin was bleeding from the head. This did not occur during the match and was not a blade job. The injury actually occurred as Sabin jumped down from the cables and was hit in the head with the title belt.
- In further TNA injury news (seems to be the theme today), one half of the new TNA tag team champions, James Storm, was in pain following his four team title match. It was Storm's first action since tearing muscles in his stomach and pulling his groin while performing as a guest referee. Luckily, wrestling as part of a tag team with new partner Gunner will allow him some protection while he heals. (Storm himself announced on Twitter that he's only about 75% healthy.)
If you have heard of any interesting rumors that you'd like to add, feel free to post them in the comments section below. Please remember, these are merely rumors. Try not to take them too seriously, just have fun with them.