Rumor Look Back: May 4 - 10, 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.

May 4, 2018

• Apparently the idea all along was for Brock Lesnar’s feet to hit the ground first at Greatest Royal Rumble but when that didn’t happen, WWE had to call an audible on how it explained his victory, per the Observer.
• This makes sense. Theories are all over with this one.
• They also note that Lesnar isn’t under contract for SummerSlam as of now but it is a good bet he’ll be at Money in the Bank.
• He wasn’t at Money in the Bank at all. (0/1)
• In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it’s mentioned that although PW Insider has said women in WWE were paid as if they worked the Saudi Arabia show, the women don’t know anything about it or have denied when they’ve been asked. They do say, however, that any bonus money wouldn’t have come in yet.
• I don’t think we ever had a woman saying anything one way or another. Not that I’d expect them to discuss their payments either way.
• Speculation coming out of WWE’s first quarter earnings call is that they’ll be staying with NBC Universal. A new TV deal is expected to be announced as early as September.
• This is half right. NBC Universal for Raw and Fox for SmackDown. (1/2)
• DJZ and Rich Swann could be headed for AAA, per the Observer.
• They both worked a singular show for AAA since this rumor - TripleMania. However, that was one show in August. Swann is working with Impact mainly. DJZ did work in Impact this year but hasn’t been used much. (0/2)

May 5, 2018

• PW Insider has now backed up TMZ’s word that Hulk Hogan was close to being used at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble but “as WWE got closer to the event, the idea of Hogan appearing dissipated.”
• They waited until the next Saudi show.
• WrestleVotes notes that its source said that recent reports of Corey Graves being replaceable are laughable and he’s a big part of WWE’s plans.
• Yeah, those were always pretty silly sounding rumors. They find him important enough to call their two main shows.
• An interesting tidbit from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter: apparently Vince McMahon feels that in foreign countries, size is a big deal. So at media events and things like that, bigger wrestlers are given precedent.
• Vince McMahon has always been a size matters guy.
• WWE apparently filed a trademark for “The Great American Bash” recently to use for a wrestling show.
• They haven’t used that for awhile. Last I’m seeing is 2012. (0/1)

May 7, 2018

• According to Dave Meltzer, Braun Strowman getting another Universal Title shot is one of two options for Brock Lesnar’s match at Money in the Bank.
• There was no match at Money in the Bank. Not that Strowman would have beaten Brock anyway. He never does. (0/1)
• The other choice, per online speculation and as Corey Graves’ comments following the last match at Backlash made fairly clear, is Roman Reigns.
• Also, not a match that happened at Money in the Bank. Roman beat Jinder Mahal in a feud I completely forgot about. (0/1)
• Aiden English doesn’t have a look WWE officials like, according to Wrestling Observer Radio, and Rusev Day is something they see as “clearly a very mid-card losing tag-team act”. Meltzer speculates a break-up could lead to Rusev and Lana being pushed into the main event.
• That’s a shame because English has a very unique look and that’s important in the ever homogenous WWE. Meltzer was pretty on point with the “mid-card losing tag-team act” but I’m skeptical on a Rusev push in the main event now that they’re broken up. We’ll wait and see on that one. (1/1)
• Tampa is bidding to host WrestleMania in 2023, 2024 or 2025, and Royal Rumble in 2022 or 2023.
• I’ve never been to Tampa. There’s a stadium because the Bucs play there and everything else could be at the arena where the Lightening play. Do people who have been there/live there think it’d be a good city for a major WWE event?

May 8, 2018

• A source has told bodyslam.net that John Cena is rebounding from his break-up with Nikki Bella by “hooking up with” a member of the Total Divas cast. Ringside News speculates that cast member is Carmella.
• The gossip!
• Sticking with the relationship beat, it looks like Impact’s Tessa Blanchard and NXT’s Ricochet have split. Ringside News reports the break-up was caused by “fidelity” issues on “both sides”.
• Two beautiful people sleeping around.
• Advertising for Money in the Bank showing red, white and blue briefcases had spawned speculation the PPV would have three ladder matches, and despite the official announcement of dual-brand men and women’s matches, Wrestling Observer says there’s still talk of adding a third for a tag title shot.
• There was no third match. Honestly, the tag titles don’t feel important enough for a briefcase. (0/1)
• In a recent interview with TVA Sports, Kevin Owens revealed he recently signed a five year contract extension with WWE and plans to someday retire with the company.
• Unfortunately KO is out with an injury. I hope he comes back hot like Dean Ambrose did.

May 9, 2018

• It’s now expected that Brock Lesnar’s next match will be at SummerSlam, likely as the main event.
• This is accurate in both accounts. He lost the title to Roman in the main event. (2/2)
• Per PW Insider, Jason Jordan was backstage at Monday Night Raw this week and he’ll be “returning imminently.”
• Unfortunately, word is there were more set backs and more recent word is he may never be able to return. (0/1)
• Stephanie McMahon, John Cena, Nikki Bella, and Brie Bella are all scheduled for the NBC Upfronts on May 14 in New York City, per PW Insider.
• From what I can find, John Cena wasn’t there. Steph and the Bellas were. Ronda Rousey, Nia Jax, Charlotte Flair, and Triple H were there as well. This was when Nia challenged Rousey for the title. (3/4)
• The Observer notes that Booker T will replace Jonathan Coachman on Monday Night Raw commentary next week.
• This is accurate... SUCKA!!! (1/1)
• Per Click Orlando, officials from Orlando are gearing up for another bid to host WrestleMania in either 2023 or 2025.
• Throw Miami in for a triple threat.

May 10, 2018

• On their Elite Audio show, PW Insider says two WWE sources told them there are no plans for a Tag Team Money in the Bank ladder match.
• This is accurate. (1/1)
• Also according to PW Insider, Big E is being considered for a singles push, and the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match may be the start of that.
• Unfortunately, we’re not there yet. (0/1)
• Roman Reigns vs. Jinder Mahal is advertised on Raw house shows through July, and their program might last until Roman’s SummerSlam feud begins.
• Roman had a feud with Lashley prior to his Brock feud. (0/1)
• Alexa Bliss wrestled on the first show of WWE’s United Kingdom tour on Wednesday, so it appears her injury either wasn’t serious or was just storyline.
• Alexa Bliss injury issues have been in these roundups often lately.
• On Wrestling Observer Live, it was said plans call for Daniel Bryan to stick with WWE beyond his current contract.
• That’s how it happened given he’s still there. (1/1)

This week: 10/22 - 45%

Overall: 2,449/4,447 - 55.1%

Have a great week, everyone!