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 Hulk Hogan winning the Gawker case has helped him in his bid to return to WWE and it should be happening sooner rather than later.
- In keeping with my ruling that “soon” is within the six months between the rumor and the Look Back, this is untrue. (0/1)
- John Cena is advertised for the Madison Square Garden show at the end of December. He should be back around then.
- He returned at the very end of December (on the 27th). (1/1)
- ACH and Ring of Honor are parting ways.
- He is not with them any more. (1/1)
- WWE is considering a face turn for Rusev. His match with Brock Lesnar in Mexico City might be a test run and/or part of the story of his turn.
- He’s out, but even his promos while out has been as a heel. (0/1)
- Eva Marie has been cast in a currently filming WWE Studios movie, so her return to SmackDown won’t be until December at the earliest.
- She hasn’t returned at all. This may not be the same movie that this rumor is referring to, but this horror movie trailer came out recently with her in it.
- Máscara Dorada, aka Gran Metalik, is finishing up his commitments in Mexico this week and should start full-time with WWE in time for 205 Live’s premiere.
- He didn’t debut for 205 Live until February. (0/1)
- It does indeed look like WWE is going to do a double switch, sending the Intercontinental championship to Raw while sending the Cruiserweight division to SmackDown Live after Survivor Series.
- That didn’t happen at all (blame Baron Corbin). Though after the more recent shake up, they swapped the US and IC belt. (0/1)
- No surprise here but WWE is looking to get more guest stars for the 900th episode of SmackDown next week, likely with a surprise or two thrown in.
- Edge and Undertaker were there; however, they were announced on Nov. 3. There were no surprises. And I checked the most thorough live blog. (0/1)
- Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss is expected to continue into the TLC pay-per-view next month.
- It was at TLC where Bliss beat Becky for the title. (1/1)
- Emmalina is likely to make her television debut with the new character just after Survivor Series.
- It was well past that. And it kind of never really happened. (0/1)
- WWE sent Undertaker to Cleveland for the Cavaliers NBA season opener as a publicity stunt, hoping to get viral video of the Dead Man with LeBron James. Since it wasn’t cleared with him ahead of time, James chose not to meet with Taker.
- What the hell is wrong with you, LeBron?
- The Observer says WWE is considering rolling back the number of pay-per-view (PPV) events in 2017, since adding a second one in September didn’t result in an increase in Network subscriptions.
- It sure doesn’t look to be headed that way. They already have 13 announced shows and have a lot of space to fill after SummerSlam. (0/1)
- The company is looking to beef up other original content for the streaming service, including a vehicle for Paul Heyman, more shows for JBL and a PTI-type show, possibly with ESPN and Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg as one of the hosts.
- There hasn’t been a Heyman show, but JBL is part of that PTI-type show (Bring it to the Table). Rosenberg is the host. (2/3)
- Akira Tozawa has finished up with Dragon Gate and is getting settled in Orlando. He’s expected to have a big role on 205 Live.
- Tozawa has one of the big 205 Live stories with Brian Kendrick. It’s been going on forever. (1/1)
- Shane McMahon being plugged into the SmackDown Live Survivor Series team was apparently a late decision done because WWE thinks it will help sell the show.
- I don’t know if it had any affect on the amount of people who tuned in on the Network.
- Baron Corbin, who was booted off the team to make room for McMahon, is still in the plans going forward and this doesn't mean they don't see him as a possible big star.
- Yeah, that wasn’t a derailment of story for the Lone Wolf. (1/1)
- Matt Riddle is signed with WWN for a couple more years and it's always possible WWE finally makes a move and brings him in.
- We’ll have to wait and see.
- According to the Observer, the finish of the Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte match at Hell in a Cell was blamed on Banks because she didn't go through the table as planned. Yeah.
- It didn’t really slow her advancement. She won the championship one more time and had been a big part in the story even when it was Bayley vs. Charlotte.
- WWE may not have committed to doing the Charlotte vs. Bayley program just yet, and could hold off on it until WrestleMania 33.
- It was the next feud. Bayley was champ by Mania 33. (0/1)
- The Observer notes the reason WWE is doing the Hall of Fame on Friday and NXT Saturday on WrestleMania weekend next year is because they're doing each show in the same building.
- Yes, that building saw a ton of work with the Hall of Fame, NXT, Raw, and SmackDown. (1/1)
This week: 8/17 - 47%
Overall: 1,487/2,751 - 54.1%
Have a great week, everyone!