:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58231703/WMHgf.0.png)
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. But first let’s look at some outstanding rumors.
- The Observer notes there are no plans for Paige within WWE even when she is recovered from neck surgery.
- For me, this reads as “They had nothing to do for her” when she returns. And in that sense this is wrong. They had a big story for her return. (0/1)
- Speaking of Impact, Jack Swagger hinted in an interview with WrestleZone he might head there to reunite with Dutch “Zeb Colter” Mantel when his 90 day non-compete with WWE expires.
- While he can always show up in Impact eventually, I’m going to mark this as incorrect because Mantel is gone. So even if he does show, it won’t be a reunion. (0/1)
- There’s also an AMA-style show coming to WWE Network, with Jeff Hardy set to be an early guest.
- I held this out for a couple weeks because of word of that new interview show by Corey Graves, but it did not fit this description. (0/1)
Now onto this week’s rumors.
- The brand split may be less and less of an issue going forward as it pertains to house shows, with wrestlers able to work shows on both brands no matter their affiliation.
- While they still have SmackDown and Raw house shows, we’ll often see people working on shows for the other brand. (1/1)
- Based on an AdWeek interview with Stephanie McMahon, some folks are speculating the winner of the Mae Young Classic will be awarded a championship title.
- Winner Kairi Sane was entered into an NXT Women’s title match, which she did not win. (0/1)
- There have been rumors going around that The Colons want out of WWE but PW Insider is saying that looks to be false.
- I keep forgetting they’re in the E.
- Kurt Angle could wrestle as soon as SummerSlam or Survivor Series. It's unlikely WWE holds off until WrestleMania 34.
- It happened at TLC and then Survivor Series. We don’t know how soon it would have been if he weren’t tapped to fill in for Roman at TLC. Though maybe Survivor Series was the plan the whole time? (1/1)
- WWE may have some plans to play off the President Trump tweet that was wildly popular yesterday on Raw tonight.
- Despite being in the WWE Hall of Fame and Linda McMahon in his cabinet, Trump is never mentioned on WWE TV. (0/1)
- Naomi was at a house show this past weekend with LED lights on her SmackDown women's title. That may be a part of her act going forward.
- That it was. If Total Divas is to be believed, she put those on the title herself without asking permission. That’s the type of Totes Deevs storyline I don’t believe. (1/1)
- Rusev is expected to return to television on SmackDown Live this week, likely in the Independence Day battle royal.
- He returned but to interrupt John Cena. He wasn’t a part of the battle royal. (1/2)
- There are no plans for the Hardys to win the tag team titles back anytime soon.
- They had some good rematches with the Bar but never won the belts back. Jeff is out currently due to injury. Matt Hardy is WOKEN. (1/1)
- The Hardys are “real close” to a resolution of their fight with Anthem that would allow them to use their Broken gimmick again, says Wrestling Observer Radio.
- I’m going to have to say no to “real close” as Impact didn’t change their tune until December. And that was due to a regime change that happened around that time. (0/1)
- In their efforts to make SummerSlam as big as possible, WWE is considering running AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in Brooklyn.
- It was Shinsuke vs. Jinder Mahal for the WWE title and AJ vs. Kevin Owens for the US title. Maybe Styles vs. Shinsuke at Mania? (0/1)
- Following surgery to repair a torn ACL, Pro Wrestling Sheet says the estimated date for Tommaso Ciampa to return to NXT is March of 2018.
- We’ll see. I expect him to return to screw Gargano at TakeOver: Philadelphia, but that doesn’t mean he’ll necessarily be cleared to wrestle at that time.
- Dave Meltzer said on Twitter GFW/Impact will unveil new belts on a live episode on August 17.
- True. They all said Global Force on them and then had to alter them again when Jarrett left. (1/1)
- There’s renewed talk of ex-Ring of Honor talents Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and War Machine signing with WWE soon and being assigned to NXT.
- KOR and Adam Cole (Bay-bay) are there. We’ll wait and see on Hanson and Rowe. (2/2)
- The Rusev match at Battleground is a way to put John Cena over for a much bigger match currently planned for SummerSlam, though it's unclear who his opponent will be.
- Going from Rusev to Corbin is a lateral move at best. (0/1)
- The battle royal spot does indeed look like the start of a break up between The Hype Bros.
- A sloooooooooow break up, but sure. (1/1)
- According to PW Insider, there may be a couple of former WWE stars appearing at the GFW Impact tapings this week.
- There were not. If I’m forgetting one, let me know in the comments below, but I looked up the taping results and didn’t see any. Johnny Mundo didn’t appear till later in the year. (0/1)
- Apparently DeAngelo Williams only trained for three days to get ready for his match at Slammiversary. That explains why he almost hurt himself on the finish.
- He looked really good for so little training.
- According to PWInsider, word backstage at this week’s Impact tapings is that Anthem and the Hardys are still nowhere close to settling their issues... so the Broken gimmick is probably nowhere close to debuting on WWE programming.
- This is more correct than the last one. He’s Broken now, but it took longer than that earlier rumor thought. (1/1)
- Look for a quick Finn Bálor/Elias Samson segment and/or match to find its way onto Great Balls of Fire this Sunday.
- They weren’t part of the show. Of the two of them, I’d say Elias is getting more of a push than Bálor right now. (0/1)
- Speaking of Bálor, looks like he’s the odd man out in WWE’s changing Universal title plans. With Roman Reigns likely getting a shot at Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, Finn vs. Brock has been shelved.
- Looks like it’s turning that way. (1/1)
- DeAngelo Williams says his Slammiversary appearance was a one-time thing and that despite GFW wanting him to do more, “It was my debut and my retirement all at the same time.”
- A bit of a shame given how good he was in the ring.
This week: 11/19 - 58%
Overall: 1,914/3,513 - 54.5%
Have a great week, everyone.