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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.
- All the major WrestleMania angles aren’t expected to start until after Elimination Chamber.
- That sounds right. I can’t think of one big Mania feud that was started prior. The Roman Reigns program was a long time coming, but he didn’t secure his spot officially until the Chamber. (1/1)
- That likely includes Triple H’s return to television, who at last rumor was expected for a mixed tag alongside his wife against Ronda Rousey and another partner, though that may have changed.
- That’s accurate. Triple H’s return led to the mixed tag build. (1/1)
- Per PW Insider, Rey Mysterio’s deal with Impact Wrestling got cancelled after his representation, Konnan, got involved and “something went wrong.”
- I haven’t heard any interviews about what happened. Maybe it was never that close to happening in the first place.
- All WWE PPVs will return to being co-branded with May’s Backlash, according to the WrestleVotes Twitter account.
- Sigh... this is true. They’re so long. But less often. I don’t know which I prefer. (1/1)
- Raw and SmackDown’s weekly television will remain separate, but due to repetitive match-ups and slow ticket sales, monthly PPV events will feature stars and feuds from both shows.
- Yes, this was not the end of the brand split overall. (1/1)
- Dolph Ziggler again was close to leaving after Royal Rumble, per The Locker Room podcast, but received “an offer [he] couldn’t refuse” and signed a two year contract extension instead.
- So word is it’s a deal that’s set to expire soon as he just spoke about it yesterday. Which would mean it’s no where near a two year deal. (0/1)
- The big name WWE wants to bring in to make the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal a big deal this year is Goldberg, at least according to UK tabloid The Sun, which also claims the new Hall of Famer will win the match.
- Goldberg did not return for this. I think this is the type of thing the rumor last week about the Andre being bigger was referring to. (0/1)
- Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet says Ric Flair’s “WOOOOO Compromise” was pulled at WWE’s request.
- Ah, yes. Flair’s consensual sex contract.
- The speculation is that John Cena’s promo on Monday Night Raw this week was definitely a reference to Undertaker and we’re still headed for that match at WrestleMania 34.
- That match happened. It was very weird. It was an unannounced squash match (though heavily teased). (1/1)
- There are now betting odds for what match will main event WrestleMania 34 and it’s still expected to be Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar, even if Cena vs. Undertaker happens.
- Yeah, Cena and Undertaker was not set up to be anywhere near a main event. I don’t know if Undertaker has another main event match left in him. (1/1)
- The word around Twitter is that Buddy Murphy got the spot that had been rumored for Lio Rush.
- This rumor is after his debut so not speculating on his coming to 205 but if he took Lio’s spot. True or not, Rush eventually made his way to 205 and is one of my favorite characters on the show.
- PW Insider mentioned something about there being talk of Jeff Jarrett being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame but then Sportskeeda published a report saying Mike Johnson didn’t say anything one way or the other.
- This is a weird rumor because the first rumor is the correct and then second rumor disputed the first ever happened... I think? (1/1)
- There’s talk of WWE holding another Raw/SmackDown draft at Backlash in May (which is also supposed to officially be the return of all PPVs being dual brand), a source told WrestleZone.
- They did the standard shake up on Raw and SmackDown. Nothing draft style at all and none of it at Backlash. (0/1)
- Chris Jericho vs. Tetsuya Naito is still planned for New Japan’s next U.S. show in March, per Sports Illustrated.
- It was at Dominion. Jericho has spoken about not wanting to fight in the United States out of respect for Vince McMahon, but there’s also rumor he’s softening on that. (0/1)
- SI also claims Hulk Hogan was set to walk out with Bullet Club at Wrestle Kingdom, but New Japan balked at his $750K asking price.
- That would have been something.
- Big Cass is walking without any assistance six months after ACL surgery and working out at The Performance Center, says PW Insider.
- He’s since returned and then been released.
- The reason for multi-man main events at Elimination Chamber and Fastlane is to keep fans guessing as to what WWE will do at WrestleMania 34, according to WrestleVotes.
- It really killed the booking though. There was some major slumps, especially on the SmackDown end of things.
- They also say Seth Rollins vs. Kurt Angle could be a match at WrestleMania 34.
- That’s a match I’d be down for, even if Angle wresting isn’t what it used to be. But it’s yet to happen, if it ever does. (0/1)
- Ronda Rousey has been added to advertising for SummerSlam.
- Of course. Why wouldn’t she have been?
- PW Insider notes that Dean Ambrose was spotted in Alabama recently. The obvious speculation is he was in for a check up on his injury.
- Returned just last week, jacked up with a near hair cut.
- Diamond Dallas Page is scheduled to be at Monday Night Raw this week, per PW Insider, but it’s not clear what his role will be.
- He wasn’t there, at least on TV. (0/1)
- According to PW Insider, as of yesterday WWE had yet to tell anyone on the roster that they would be doing dual brand pay-per-views going forward.
- I wonder how soon the roster knows stuff and how often they learn about stuff online with the rest of us.
- That said, the Observer is saying WWE officials informed them that an announcement of the end of brand specific pay-per-view shows will be coming soon.
- Looks like they made it this very day, though I can’t say if the roster knew prior.
- According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Jason Jordan apparently believed he could be back in time for WrestleMania but WWE didn’t want to build a story around him in the event he couldn’t. That’s what led to Seth Rollins in the Elimination Chamber match and seemingly dropping that feud.
- It must be tough to try to build a story with an uncertain injury.
- Mojo Rawley recently signed a new contract with WWE, per the Observer.
- I hope they start using him soon. He’s really good as a heel. (And he shouldn’t be losing to Bobby Roode - who should be a heel as well).
- According to Sports Day, Melbourne Cricket Grounds in Australia is trying to get a WWE pay-per-view later this year.
- It may not technically be a pay-per-view, but the Super Show that will be on the network takes place there. (1/1)
This week: 8/14 - 57%
Overall: 2,330/4,216 - 55.3%
Have a great week, everyone!