:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17035897/800px-australian_flag_fullmast.0.jpg)
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:
- WWE's "Raw" (as much as that still has any meaning) roster was on tour in Australia this weekend, in Sydney on Saturday and Brisbane on Sunday. There have been a few interesting notes from the shows there:
- Dean Ambrose took on the Miz in a "Sydney" and then "Brisbane Street Fight" for the US title at the shows on Saturday and Sunday. Ambrose was said to be very good in the matches.
- Curtis Axel defeated Antonio Cesaro at both shows for the Intercontinental title in matches that exceeded 20 minutes. Most reports have this as the match of the night for each show.
- Team Hell No reunited to take on the Shield for the Tag Team titles, winning on both nights via DQ.
- John Cena defeated Ryback in a tables match on both nights to retain the WWE title. Cena is apparently more universally over in Australia that he is in the US, as the reports indicate that he got tremendous pop.
The "Smackdown" roster is headed to South Africa for a tour this week. CM Punk, usually considered to be part of the Raw roster, will be with the Smackdown roster for that tour, as WWE felt they needed more star power on it.
- Dean Ambrose took on the Miz in a "Sydney" and then "Brisbane Street Fight" for the US title at the shows on Saturday and Sunday. Ambrose was said to be very good in the matches.
- With all of the WWE taped for this upcoming week, John Bradshaw Layfield is using the time to climb another mountain, this time Mount Blanc in the Swiss Alps. JBL stated that he plans to make a major announcement while on the summit.
- Rob Van Dam, originally believed to be on a short-term contract through SummerSlam, is being advertised for October's Battleground pay per view from Buffalo, NY. It is now being said that Van Dam is expected to remain with the company through the end of the year.
- As some suspected, it is being said that RVD's quick loss to Alberto Del Rio on Friday night's (July 26) Smackdown was changed at the last minute from a lengthier match due to Del Rio's rib injury.
- One of the biggest sources of issues within WWE is the fact that Vince McMahon has final say over everything that goes on within the company. One person with very specific preferences micromanaging the company can be an issue, but apparently, the opposite isn't much better, just ask TNA. It is being said by those in the company that too many people have say with what goes on, often leading to a chaotic product. Between Dixie Carter, Hulk Hogan/Eric Bischoff, and various other backstage executives, no one person has the authority needed to fold these conflicting ideas into a coherent final product.
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.