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Welcome to the weekly Rumor Look Back, where we check back at the rumors from six months ago and see how they played out. So let’s jump right into it.
The reason Rock vs. Brock isn’t on the table for WrestleMania is because they are going to go forward with the Rock vs. Triple H.
I’m going to start grading some WrestleMania rumors even though the show has not officially happened yet. Because for something like this, even though we have no clue what the Rock is doing, they’re not going to swerve us and give us this match in any way. This is a match that would be promoted. (0/1)
Ronda Rousey won’t be making WrestleMania like WWE had hoped, but they hope they can put together a match between her and Stephanie McMahon at one point.
I’ll put this on ice, though I bet this match never happens. I will grade the WrestleMania part now though. (1/1)
The Seth Rollins/Kane Hell in a Cell match is expected to be in Hell in a Cell.
This was a normal match. The only two Cell matches were Roman Reigns/Bray Wyatt and Undertaker/Brock Lesnar. (0/1)
While there are budget cuts for Lucha Underground season 2, the company is working hard to ensure those won’t be noticeable on the finished television product.
I think it looks just as good as last year. (1/1)
Speaking of Lucha Underground, there’s increased talked of Rey Mysterio signing. Also Marty the Moth will have an increased role, and Vampiro may move off commentary to manage Pentagon Jr.
Rey Mysterio did sign. And Marty is more prominent because of his sister and the story regarding them. Vampiro is still on commentary, but I will wait to see if he stays there for most of the season before grading it. (2/2)
There was a proposal on the table in 2014 to dedicate a portion of Raw to NXT stars and storylines. That was obviously shot down.
If this is true, I’m glad it was shot down. Keep NXT far away from Raw so it can be its own thing. I can only see NXT suffering if Vince could manage parts of it.
Speaking of NXT, the word is Dustin "Goldust" Runnels may be doing more in Developmental than just presenting the trophy for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
This is a vague rumor. He certainly isn’t on the on screen product, and I don’t see any word of him being a trainer at the Performance Center. (0/1)
Because of what happened with a fan at the Night of Champions PPV in the opening to the Dean Ambrose/Roman Reigns vs. Wyatt Family match, WWE will be beefing up security at shows.
That didn’t prevent someone from trying to hit a stunner on Brawn Strowman last week. The incident at Night of Champions was when someone in Shield gear jumped the rail and ran into the ring with Reigns and Ambrose as if he were their mystery partner. The best part was Bray, who shouted, "That’s your guy?" as the guy was being taken out by security.
RVD shot down a return to WWE at a recent convention, though there is some saying that’s what he would say if he were planning a return.
You would think a man saying "I’m not returning" isn’t a rumor, but in wrestling, where everything is a work, I suppose it is. But this was not a work, and he has not returned. (1/1)
TNA has been trying to generate interest for Sunday’s Bound for Glory PPV, including Pope teasing an addition to the commentary booth and Dixie Carter teasing a "big" last minute change to the top of the card.
There was no one new on commentary for Bound for Glory. However, they did add Matt Hardy to the main event. He ended up winning the title at the PPV. (1/2)
According to the Observer, the "Ashley from HR" bit was based on actual events in WWE.
That sounds like something they would do. Though what the actual events were are up for speculation. But that’s what comment sections are for.
It’s been noted that the woman playing Ashley was an actress, but she was named after Ashley Osterride, who is the actual Director of Human Resources in WWE.
HR in a company like WWE must be a really weird job. The wrestling backstage culture is an odd one, with the long history of "ribs," past things like "wrestlers court," and all the weird backstage etiquette. Many of those things would be a nightmare for HR. Hats off to you, Ashley. Your job probably really sucks sometimes.
Here’s your now annual "Cesaro is in the doghouse" rumor.
These rumors have popped up from time to time but there’s never any specifics regarding why. When Ziggler used to always be in the doghouse, usually there was an interview they could point and say "Here’s why they are mad at him." Lana’s heat often has some explanation (but not always.) But with Cesaro, it’s just "Oh, he’s in the doghouse."
It could be just his inexplicable booking is just fueling speculation. Like this rumor was right after he did a series of jobs to Big Show so Big Show could go lose to Brock at MSG. So those losses could have just fueled baseless speculation.
For what it’s worth, while Cesaro wasn’t winning all the time coming out of this, he was treated well by the announcers and they started to really focus on the "Cesaro Section."
WWE could be announcing various signings from the independent scene soon such as Athena and Biff Busick.
It was announced at the end of October and Busick and Athena were both in that developmental class. Given it was in about a month, I will mark it as correct. (1/1)
There’s apparently been some increased talk about NXT talent answering John Cena’s open challenge to get them more exposure.
John Cena lost the title to Del Rio at Hell in a Cell on the 25th of this month. He faced Big E and Dolph Ziggler during that time. No NXT talent answered it. (0/1)
Ric Flair commented on a recent podcast that Steve Austin may boycott WrestleMania 32 if the Freebirds aren’t inducted into the Hall of Fame.
We’ll never know because they were inducted last night. For what it’s worth, I don’t think Austin would take it that far, though he was very vocal about it happening.
Although they’ve never acknowledged John Cena’s relationship with Nikki Bella on WWE TV, they could have Dolph and Cena feud over Dolph trying to get back with Nikki on Total Divas.
While Dolph did have a US title match in a couple weeks from this, there was never any Total Divas stemming feud. While there has always been much worry about Total Divas affecting major feuds, it doesn’t often, at least for the men. It has affected some women’s stories. (0/1)
TNA is apparently taping shows in India in early December.
This never happened. It was announced, but it fell through and they never made it to India. (0/1)
Steve Austin and Brock Lesnar could shoot an angle on the post Raw live podcast, but it doesn’t mean that a match between the men is happening at WrestleMania 32.
They didn’t shoot any angle. However, they talked a lot about hunting! (0/1)
With SummerSlam doing so well packaged with NXT last year, the company is now looking to treat it as big as WrestleMania. That is why they returned to Brooklyn for next year and announced an NXT show.
While I believe this will be the plan, we’ll see how it plays out next year. Last year was the first time that SummerSlam really felt like the big deal they make it out to be.
Dean Ambrose & Randy Orton vs. Luke Harper & Braun Strowman is apparently on the table for Hell in a Cell.
It certainly looked like they were headed that way, but Orton’s injury derailed any further plans with this story. Dean Ambrose was not on the show. (0/1)
Sasha Banks looks to be getting groomed for the next Divas program with Charlotte.
That ended up going to Becky Lynch. Sasha is getting her first shot at the Divas title at WrestleMania today. (0/1)
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This Week: 7/17 - 41%
September: 46/71 - 65%
Overall: 738/1387 - 53.2%
Have a great day, everyone. Enjoy WrestleMania!