Rumor Look Back: Apr. 7 - 13, 2018

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 jump right into it.

April 7, 2018

• There are expected to be multiple title changes at WrestleMania 34, with possibly as many as 5 belts switching hands.
• There were five - Jinder Mahal won the US title, the Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown tag belts, Braun and Nicholas won the Raw tag belts, Nia Jax won the Raw women’s title, and Seth Rollins won the intercontinental title. (2/2)
• No word on what it is but apparently Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are getting the most elaborate entrance at WrestleMania 34.
• It was them riding motorcycles to the ring. It was still probably the most elaborate, though that’s very subjective. New Day’s pancake entrance and Alexa Bliss’ goddess entrance would be my close seconds. I’m willing to hear arguments on this in the comments. (1/1)
• There are advertisements for Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella matches after WrestleMania 34, leading to a lot of speculation regarding how Flair vs. Asuka will play out at the big show. Carmella has teased cashing in.
• Carmella didn’t cash in at WrestleMania. (0/1)

April 7, 2018 Special WrestleMania edition

• Insider says Undertaker has been spotted in NOLA, and that that should set any doubts you have about his not appearing on April 8 to answer John Cena’s challenge “to rest” (normally, I’d ding them for not making an “in peace” joke, but it’s a busy weekend. We’re all frazzled).
• Undertaker was there to have his squash match with John Cena. It was be wild if he didn’t show up. (1/1)
• Interesting to note Alberto El Patron did not appear as scheduled for Impact at WrestleCon again on Saturday, after missing the Impact vs. Lucha Underground show on Friday. Locker room talk has his status with the company being “up in the air”, but Impact officials haven’t commented. Difficult to not have rumors of a WWE return from a few weeks back cross your mind when you consider everyone’s in the same town...
• He never returned to Impact but also not in WWE, thank all the gods. (0/1)
• Alberto’s ex, Paige, is said to be filming around The Big Easy with others from Total Divas. Insider says this means she’s back on the reality show as a full-time cast member next season.
• She is. (1/1)
• James Storm is in town, and reportedly staying at the WWE hotel. He did work a couple matches for NXT in 2015 before returning to TNA, and TakeOver is tonight. Just sayin’.
• The implication that he’s coming to WWE isn’t accurate. Though I wouldn’t mind some Beer Money. (0/1)

April 9, 2018

• The results of WrestleMania 34 have brought rumors of Brock Lesnar sticking around to work a program with a re-debuting Lashley back up, with talk that may even lead to a SummerSlam match.
• He stuck around, but not to face Bobby Lashley. (0/1)
• Sunday night in New Orleans also reinforced the idea WWE plans to build to Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey as a potential main event match in New York/New Jersey for next year’s WrestleMania.
• We’ll have to wait and see on that. I bet it happens.
• Raw Tag Champ Nicholas is WWE official John Cone’s son, says bodyslam.net. It’s unclear how long he’ll remain a part of this storyline with Braun Strowman and The Bar.
• He relinquished the titles alongside Braun the next night.
• Alberto El Patron’s contract with Impact ran through April 21, per PW Insider, so even though they terminated him it’s possible they could enforce a non-compete until then. They had reportedly discussed a one-year extension with a raise before their relationship fell apart this weekend.
• I’m glad they cut ties with him. He’s just too much drama.

April 10, 2018

• The decision to have Brock Lesnar retain the Universal Championship at WrestleMania was an audible called by Vince McMahon because Roman Reigns wasn’t getting the reaction he wanted, according to reporting by Jeremy Botter.
• Audible when? During the match? (I highly doubt that.) That night? A couple weeks earlier? (Though I wouldn’t call that an audible.) Probably has to do when they got that Saudi check.
• Botter confirmed speculation from PW Torch’s Wade Keller that Lesnar’s new deal came out of that decision, and is for as few as two additional dates so Reigns can win the title in Saudi Arabia in front of a more receptive crowd.
• Reigns did not win the title in Saudi Arabia either but instead at SummerSlam. (0/1)
• Beyond Greatest Royal Rumble, Brock’s priority is UFC where he’s expected to face the winner of Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight belt in December. He’s likely for future WWE appearances, including WrestleMania 35, after that.
• Given when he entered the pool, Brock won’t be facing anyone until 2019 so he’s given more time to WWE. And it’s looking like DC may not happen. (0/1)
• PW Insider reports Paul Heyman has re-signed with WWE as well, but it’s likely on the same short-term arrangement as Lesnar.
• I’m curious to see if we see Heyman at all without Lesnar.

April 11, 2018

• Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio the idea behind Roman Reigns’ shoot style promo on Raw this week was to rally support for him with the idea Vince McMahon chose the part timer over him.
• It didn’t seem to work. In fact, as someone who went into Mania fully behind Roman, it actually made me dislike the entire thing more.
• Meltzer also said Lesnar’s backstage altercation did indeed include Shane McMahon, who was around for it, and apparently he was acting like he wanted to fight Brock. Meltzer notes, however, that he’s not sure if this is a work but those who witnessed it didn’t think it was.
• If it’s not a “Hit me or kiss me, bitch” fight, it’s not worth our time.
• The Observer says WWE is already talking about Ronda Rousey in the main event of WrestleMania 35.
• Very likely. It’s a wait and see one.
• Chris Jericho’s appearance at Greatest Royal Rumble is expected to be a one-off.
• It was. He’s the NJPW Intercontinental champion now. (1/1)
• Apparently some of the wrestlers who worked late on the show at WrestleMania 34 didn’t like how long the show had run, per Wrestling Observer Radio.
• Long.

April 12, 2018

• A rumor from terezowens.com says UFC’s next TV deal will be with ESPN and NBC. If true, this is seen as another sign WWE could be headed to Fox.
• It wasn’t a dual deal with those two - NBC wasn’t part of it. Just ESPN. (0/1)
• FME, the company which licenses WWE Video for distribution in the UK says WWE is working with Impact to include “Broken Universe” material on an upcoming Hardys DVD, the first time TNA footage would be featured on a WWE broadcast or release.
• This is true. The promotions have been cooperating more together. (1/1)
• Peyton Royce and Billie Kay’s team name was changed to IIconics because someone already held a trademark on “Iconic Duo”.
• WWE will spell anything weird to get that trademark.

April. 13, 2018

• The current belief is that Ronda Rousey will not be full time in the sense that she won’t be appearing on television every week.
• I would say this is incorrect. She’s pretty much there weekly. (0/1)
• While Rusev has been removing WWE from his social media, it’s believed that’s just storyline. Dave Meltzer notes he has not been released.
• Rusev is still with the WWE, thankfully. Though it really wasn’t part of any on-air story. (1/1)
• Some have noticed Asuka is being advertised for an upcoming SmackDown house show, leading to speculation she will be moving to the blue brand in the Superstar Shakeup.
• She did. Unfortunately, she hasn’t found much success on Tuesdays. (1/1)
• The Observer notes that while it’s possible Paul Heyman could work with someone other than Brock Lesnar, it’s most likely he’ll leave if/when Lesnar does.
• I guess we’ll have to wait to see when Brock leaves.

This week: 9/17 - 53%

Overall: 2,411/4,373 - 55.1%

Have a great week, everyone!