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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.
- Apparently Vince McMahon has been changing his mind on a daily basis regarding what WWE will do with the “Superstar Shake-Up” next week. The only thing that seems certain is that a top star from each brand will move over to the other.
- Is that even true? It’s vague, but I don’t think there was a “top star” that moved from both brands. The biggest star would probably be Charlotte. But it still wouldn’t fit the “each brand” bit. (0/1)
- The idea of putting Shinsuke Nakamura on SmackDown Live was apparently to replace John Cena as a top star, at least while he's out working on other projects.
- Perhaps that’s the reasoning, but it really hasn’t played out that way. Even when he was in the WWE title picture, that story felt like an afterthought.
- Aiden English is expected to get a push now that he's no longer in a tag team with the recently released Simon Gotch.
- While he hasn’t gotten a big push, he’s certainly more featured. He’s had some good matches with Randy Orton. (1/1)
- The Drifter will likely be on one of the two main roster brands starting next week.
- He debuted on Raw on the 10th drifting backstage. (1/1)
- Lucha Underground is likely going away soon, or at the very least morphing into something other than what it's been.
- This is vague. We’re headed towards the season finale with no word on season 4. I’ll sit on this for a bit.
- Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman is set to headline Payback.
- It did. These men had a series of great matches. They will fight in a steel cage tomorrow on Raw. (1/1)
- Raw’s current roster has been told to plan on showing up on this week’s SmackDown, says PWInsider, seemingly confirming the idea the “Superstar Shake-Up” will be a two night affair.
- Yes, it spanned Raw and SmackDown. (1/1)
- The Alexa Bliss/Charlotte trade is said to be one of the most locked in trades for the “Shake-Up”.
- While there really weren’t trades per se, just people randomly showing up on different shows, both Charlotte and Alexa switch brands. (1/1)
- According to Sean Waltman, Big Show was angry after the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33 - likely because his showdown with Braun Strowman didn’t get more time in the spotlight.
- He should have been. He gets super jacked for a match with Shaq, that doesn’t happen, and then he’s barely featured in the Andre. That was bull.
- Part of the philosophy behind the brand split, and therefore the Superstar Shake-Up, is that SmackDown in an incubator for talent WWE can eventually “promote” to Raw.
- I remember this rumor left a bunch of folks unhappy. (This was when SmackDown was still consistently good.) But I think the Shake-Up was pretty even, with SmackDown getting the biggest acts in Charlotte and the New Day. The fact that AJ stayed on Tuesday, in my mind, kind of refutes this.
- Paige had a routine check-up on her surgically repaired neck Monday, and PWInsider reports she’s on track for a comeback this Summer - at least medically speaking.
- Last word was she still wasn’t cleared at that time, but maybe soon/nowish? (0/1)
- Sources say Vince McMahon was interested in bringing Alberto El Patron back to WWE after his second exit, but El Patron turned them down and plans to retire in TNA.
- Smart, Vince.
- Drew McIntyre’s WWE NXT deal is reportedly for one year.
- Hopefully he’ll be around longer than that.
April 11, 2017 (Shake-Up specific rumors)
- Charlotte Flair seems like a lock for SmackDown, and it’s looking like Sasha Banks will join her.
- The Queen, yes. The Boss, no. (1/2)
- According to PWInsider Elite, the expected move of Kevin Owens will happen to give the blue brand a secondary title to replace Dean Ambrose’s Intercontinental championship.
- This did happen. He just main evented Hell in a Cell against Shane McMahon. (1/1)
- Sami Zayn and Shining Stars are also going to Tuesdays, per Insider’s report.
- Are the Shining Stars on Tuesday? I totally forgot about that. Sami definitely is. He just turned heel to aid Owens in that Hell in a Cell main event. (2/2)
- Other names being thrown around include Jinder Mahal and Enzo Amore & Big Cass. It’s still believed New Day will head to SmackDown, as well.
- Jinder is on SmackDown and he’s the champ. New Day as well and they just finished an epic feud with the Usos. Enzo and Big Cass stayed on Raw and eventually split. Unfortunately Cass is out injured. Enzo is a cruiserweight and just lost the title. (2/4)
- Bray Wyatt was moved to Raw instead of AJ Styles, Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio, and the Phenomenal One is expected to feud for the World title after Randy Orton defeats Wyatt at Payback.
- He has not been in a WWE title program since the Shake-Up. (0/1)
- AJ Styles isn't planned for the US title picture, but this is rather a way to kill time until after the Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt feud is finished up.
- He was in the US title picture for a long time, feuding with Kevin Owens and Baron Corbin. He just lost it to the Lone Wolf. (0/1)
- As of now, there is no plan for JBL to face any kind of punishment over the Mauro Ranallo situation or any reports coming out about his alleged antics within WWE.
- He ended up leaving, but on his own accord to work with his foundation. (1/1)
- Ranallo, for his part, is not expected to return to WWE before his contract runs out in a few months.
- He’s back and calling NXT. (0/1)
- Mojo Rawley is expected to get a continued push on SmackDown Live.
- I would have to say this is untrue. (0/1)
- WWE is interested in signing Lio Rush to work in NXT.
- He already debuted, getting attacked by the Velveteen Dream before his scheduled match with Aleister Black. Then last week, he had a match with Dream, where he looked impressive. Still needs to work on that hard cam though. (1/1)
- Kurt Angle is saying he expects to take a physical for WWE by the end of this year, so don’t expect him in the ring for the company until 2018.
- I guess we’ll have to wait and see when/if Angle steps into the ring.
- The finisher Seth Rollins is trying out (see it here) will likely make its on-screen debut at Payback when it beats Samoa Joe.
- Seth won that match by reversing the Coquina Clutch into a pin. (0/1)
- Jinder Mahal is set for a push as a mid-card heel on SmackDown.
- More like top heel. (0/1)
- Mia Yim (Jade in TNA) is in Orlando and expected to be a part of WWE’s upcoming Women’s Tournament.
- She was. She made it to the second round prior to losing to finalist Shayna Baszler. (1/1)
- Not surprisingly, the Observer is saying many of the roster moves made in the "Superstar Shake-Up" were last minute decisions.
- Yeah, I’m definitely not surprised.
- Another total non-surprise: WWE doesn't yet know what the "House of Horrors" match will look like, as they've surveyed fans on what they want it to include. That's why they haven't made mention of what it will be yet.
- It was... something.
- Payback may be getting two women's matches, with Bayley likely defending the Raw women's championship against Nia Jax while Alexa Bliss, Sasha Banks, and Mickie James sort out who is number one contender after that.
- There was only one woman’s match. (0/1)
- Kalisto may be moving to the cruiserweight division to help give 205 Live a boost.
- He’s the current cruiserweight champion. It took almost six months from this rumor for him to join though. (1/1)
This week: 15/27 - 56%
Overall: 1,789/3,269 - 54.7%
Have a great week, everyone!