Rumor Look Back: Oct. 1 - 7, 2017

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.

October 2, 2017

• The early word is that Finn Bálor could be Brock’s opponent at Survivor Series.
• It was not Bálor, who hasn’t had a Universal title shot since having to relinquish it. Instead it was AJ Styles vs. Brock champion vs. champion in a non-title bout. It was a great match. (0/1)
• John Cena could be headed for a short program with Bray Wyatt, which would lead to a match at Survivor Series.
• We avoided that feud again this time. (0/1)
• PW Insider notes Bradley Cooper was offered the role of Vince McMahon in a biopic on the WWE boss.
• This led to John Cena calling Vince McMahon a cute guy. No, seriously.
• The expectation is Kairi Sane’s push will continue with a title win at NXT TakeOver.
• Ember Moon won that match. (0/1)

October 3, 2017

• Kevin Owens has been advertised for several Raw brand house shows after Hell in a Cell, leading to talk his match with Shane McMahon could create a storyline reason for him to return to Mondays.
• The move never happened, though it could after WrestleMania. Shane has feuded with KO and Sami Zayn since Hell in a Cell. (0/1)
• The WWE tour of India likely means Jinder Mahal will still be WWE champion in December.
• He lost it in November. (0/1)
• WWE will probably keep the belt on Jinder by having him beat Shinsuke Nakamura this weekend, then participating in a multi-person elimination match at Survivor Series.
• He beat Nakamura but lost it prior to Survivor Series. (1/2)
• John Cena did not make the final cut for the role of Shazam in the DC Comics movie universe, per PWInsider.
• No Cena vs. the Rock III unfortunately.
• Plans for an Enzo Amore/Neville turn came about shortly before No Mercy, according to The Observer. Zo being booed on the last 205 Live before the PPV helped with the decision.
• Could this have been a factor in Neville walking?

October 4, 2017

• According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, Sister Abigail is not going to be a female wrestler but rather Bray Wyatt will wrestle as the character with a new outfit when he takes on Finn Balor at TLC.
• This never happened. Wyatt got ill and couldn’t fight. So we’ll never know. I will always wonder if we were getting a Mrs. Doubt-Wyatt thing.
• It is indeed expected that The Shield will officially reunite next week on Raw in Indianapolis, which is incidentally the same place they debuted and the same place Seth Rollins turned on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.
• They did. (1/1)
• The plan appears to be for WWE to finally pay off the Fashion Files at Hell in a Cell.
• There was never a payoff. (0/1)
• Speaking of Fashion Files, PW Insider noted they filmed material for a “Pulp Fiction” inspired episode. That could be what airs on the pay-per-view.
• They did tape one, but it didn’t air at Hell in a Cell. (1/2)
• It’s also looking possible Hell in a Cell is where The Hype Bros will finally break up.
• It took a little longer than that. It happened in November. (0/1)

October 5, 2017

• John Cena is no longer advertised for Survivor Series. The late December holiday house shows are expected to be his next WWE dates now.
• This rumor can’t figure itself out as it wavered twice last week. He was at Survivor Series. (0/1)
• Brock Lesnar is now officially booked for the PPV in Houston, and is expected to work at least one Raw this month to start setting up his match there.
• He showed up with Heyman to promote his match with Jinder, which was then changed to a match with Styles. (1/1)
• Kalisto vs. Enzo Amore is the direction the cruiserweight title scene will take at TLC.
• It went that way. Kalisto won the title at Raw, though lost it within a week at TLC. (1/1)

October 6, 2017

• Samoa Joe is expected to return to WWE within the next month or so, likely after TLC.
• He returned at the end of October. Unfortunately, he’s already out injured again. Hopefully back soon. (1/1)
• It’s looking more and more likely that Charlotte will be winning the SmackDown women’s championship at Hell in a Cell.
• Nattie retained by getting DQ’d at HIAC. She won it on an episode of SmackDown in her hometown. (0/1)
• The decision to bring War Games back for NXT TakeOver was made really late, according to Dave Meltzer, who said the original plan called for Drew McIntyre vs. Adam Cole in an NXT title match. That was only changed to accommodate War Games.
• War Games was fun.
• The Young Bucks are going to stop using “suck it” in merchandise, per the Observer.
• I haven’t seen any “Suck It” on their merch. Eagle eyed Buck fans, let me know if you’ve noticed it at all. (1/1)
• Dave Meltzer noted recently that there may be some good news on the way for Lucha Underground, as they may have funding for a fourth season.
• Their fourth season is taping now. (1/1)

October 7, 2017

• There could be a Bayley heel turn coming in the near future.
• It still hasn’t happened. Even in this feud with Sasha, she’s not a heel. (0/1)
• Xavier Woods appears to be healthy enough to wrestle again and may work Hell in a Cell.
• He did. (1/1)
• Lita recently mentioned that there’s been talk of WWE tag team titles for the women’s division.
• That hasn’t happened. I wonder if they did, if there would be a pair per brand. I guess so, right? (0/1)
• There is once again talk of a new version of the Luke Harper & Erick Rowan team as the reveal for the Fashion Files.
• It didn’t go that way. They were alluded to, but they were never “the reveal.” (0/1)
• The idea Billy Corgan has for the NWA is to build an audience online before trying to get on television somewhere.
• I’m not going to grade this because I don’t know his plan when it comes to television (maybe he’s not looking for a major tv deal) but they are trying to grow it online.

This week: 9/23 - 39%

Overall: 2,059/3,766 - 54.7%

Enjoy WrestleMania, everyone!