Welcome to the weekly Rumor Look Back, where we look at the rumors from six months ago and see which played out as originally predicted. Let’s get right to it.
- There continues to be speculation that they’re building to a Dean Ambrose return to help Seth Rollins for a program with Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre.
- That is accurate. Dean returned the Raw before SummerSlam. He was in Seth’s corner and helped neutralize McIntyre so Seth could get the win. (1/1)
- The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is now saying Jason Jordan isn’t returning “at the present time” because there are still issues with his neck after his surgery.
- He’s still not back. (1/1)
- Despite the deal with FOX, the Observer says there are no plans for NXT to move to television or off the WWE Network as of right now.
- There has been no word of NXT moving up to any FOX station. (1/1)
- The ROH/NJPW show at MSG in April next year has sold over 12,000 tickets before going on sale to the public, says the Observer. It’s all but guaranteed to sell out at this point, possibly as soon as tomorrow.
- It ended up selling out pretty quickly.
- ALL IN could air on New Japan World, but only in Japan.
- It was eventually uploaded but it looks like I can watch it from the US as well. (1/2)
- If Ring of Honor loses its top stars like Cody and The Young Bucks to WWE early next year, don’t be surprised if they go even harder after CM Punk for the Madison Square Garden show in April.
- They can go after him as hard as they want, he’s not working that show.
- According to the Observer, it’s expected the Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss match at SummerSlam will be scripted move-for-move at the WWE Performance Center beforehand.
- That’s not too surprising. Not that that’s a bad thing. Some greats have strongly choreographs their big matches move for move.
- PW Insider says there are a number of MLW regulars who WWE has shown great interest in, not least of which are the likes of Pentagon Jr and Rey Fenix, who had previously been the subject of these rumors.
- The Lucha Bros are very hot commodities and currently working for four different promotions. WWE isn’t one of them, but I believe the interest was real.
- Though WWE has yet to advertise him for the show, Brock Lesnar is expected to be at Monday Night Raw tonight.
- He was there. (1/1)
- Recent social media teases have led to speculation, like in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, that the idea of a Four Horsewomen vs. Four Horsewomen program is still on the table.
- I’m sure it is, but it doesn’t feel close.
- The hope is Sami Zayn will be back in time for WrestleMania 35 next year.
- Still waiting for him. However, when they get this close to Mania, even if they are cleared, they’re usually not re-introduced until after the fact. It usually happens the Raw or SmackDown after Mania.
- WrestleVotes says an announcement on the location for SummerSlam 2019 is coming this week and that the two favorites are “polar opposites on the map.”
- It was two weeks later. It’s in Toronto (0/1)
- Per the Observer, there are negotiations ongoing regarding airing ALL IN as part of a regular television replay after the exclusive pay-per-view window closes.
- I don’t believe it ever came to pass. (0/1)
- Plans for Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman to work house shows after SummerSlam has led many, including Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, to think WWE is considering turning one or the other heel.
- Braun had an abrupt heel turn that was never well done. (1/1)
- Despite some online rumors saying she was unhappy and even had walked out on WWE a la Neville, Meltzer says Asuka is “fine” and has no intention to leave the company.
- I don’t recall Asuka walking out rumors. And I don’t really believe them either.
- CM Punk being sued by Colt Cabana may be changing fans’ minds about the Chicago native. Punk’s name was booed in his hometown when mentioned at Progress’ show there this weekend, and there’s some concern about the reaction he’ll get at his pre-ALL IN signing.
- There was a good crowd for him at ALL IN. And of course, this being wrestling, there were takes against him.
- Speculation is Stokely Hathaway may be WWE-bound after his Evolve 111 loss and farewell speech. Ringside News says he impressed officials while working WrestleMania Axxess in April.
- He’s not in WWE currently. (0/1)
- Undertaker is currently advertised for SmackDown 1000 on Oct. 16. Matches advertised right now include AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz.
- Taker was there. Bryan and Styles teamed up so those other two matches didn’t happen. (1/3)
- According to PW Insider, Dean Ambrose was hidden from everyone backstage before his return on Raw this week.
- Keep that surprise.
- Brock Lesnar is set for a “closed door meeting” with WWE “head honchos” hours before SummerSlam, per Barn Burner’s Fired Up podcast.
- I wonder how talkative Brock in these meetings.
- The Fired Up crew also says the finish of Brock’s Universal title match with Roman Reigns is “up in the air” and that if Lesnar wins he “will be working for both WWE and UFC.”
- Luckily he didn’t win. Though he’s currently champion so I guess it would have gotten there one way or another.
- According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, WWE has no immediate plans to switch Renee Young to an announcer role.
- She’s a full time announcer. (0/1)
- Another former Impact producer has been picked up by WWE and is working in NXT, says PW Insider. James Long also worked with Jeremy Borash and Matt Hardy on “Broken Universe” projects while at TNA.
- So many former Impact employees in WWE.
This Week: 7/14 - 50%
Overall: 2,589/4,707 - 55.0%
Have a great week, everyone!