Here’s a curious decision...
Coming out of SummerSlam, there’s a ton of interest in Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar. Probably more than there was going into the Aug. 21 pay-per-view (PPV). Planned or not, the controversial finish sets up a rematch nicely, and is one with which many figured WWE would headline another event.
Or, a Saturday night in Chicago.
But wait, it gets weirder.
The advertised rematch between Lesnar and Orton is set for Allstate Arena on Sept. 24... the night before the Raw brand’s Clash of Champions PPV.
Now, the only thing I can figure is they want to clear Orton and Lesnar off the cards - either because the bloody finish in Brooklyn left some doubt Vince McMahon doesn’t want lingering or due to Orton’s role in the story drawing more interest than WWE thought it would - to make way for a rumored Shane McMahon match/angle.
Of course, it could be a case of the venue’s social media team getting overzealous, as the commercial only says Brock and Randy will “both be in Chicago”, but that’s just me over-analyzing what otherwise is kind of a baffling decision.
There’s also the usual house-show-spoiling-future-booking things to discuss, like Seth Rollins being the headliner while Roman Reigns is back feuding for the United States title, and no mention of Kevin Owens or Big Cass.
What do you make of all this, Cagesiders?
UPDATE: It’s confirmed by both Paul Heyman and Orton:
CONFIRMED! @BrockLesnar vs @RandyOrton - THE REMATCH - @AllStateArena - #CHICAGO - September 24, 2016 - 7:30pm pic.twitter.com/sZ1WDAKc3u
— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) August 29, 2016
Chicago, IL. September 24. @AllstateArena
— Randy Orton (@RandyOrton) August 29, 2016
Viper. Beast. The Rematch. Time for an #RKOOuttaNowhere. https://t.co/5ppQpw24y5