Rumor Look Back: July 20 - 26, 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 get right to it.

July 20, 2018

• There’s some speculation that WWE could be going with a triple threat at SummerSlam, with Brock Lesnar defending the Universal championship against both Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley.
• That did not happen. Lashley could have fit in since he had the win over Roman, but he hasn’t come close to facing Lesnar. (0/1)
• The Observer notes that it’s not confirmed Undertaker is wrestling at SummerSlam but there is still plenty of talk about it.
• It did not happen.
• The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that it was Kevin Dunn who made the decision to take the clock off the Titantron during the Iron Man match at Extreme Rules.
• It was a no-win situation. They either leave it up, and the crowd counts to 10 every minute, or have them boo because it’s not there at all.
• An independent promotion announcing Chelsea Green had to pull out of an upcoming appearance has led to speculation she’ll be in the Mae Young Classic this year.
• She was not in the MYC, though she has signed with WWE. (0/1)
• On “Dinner with The King,” Jerry Lawler said he heard Howard Finkel is in bad shape and may have suffered a stroke.
• I haven’t heard anything about this recently.

July 21, 2018

• According to the Observer, Ring of Honor is interested in CM Punk for its show at Madison Square Garden next year but it’s considered a long shot to happen.
• It’s not going to happen.
• WrestleVotes notes that Stephanie McMahon’s announcement is likely the women’s pay-per-view show and says it will be happening in September in Long Island, New York.
• That it was, though it was in October and not September. (2/3)
• Meanwhile, TicketDrew is saying the announcement could also be for women’s tag team titles.
• That wasn’t until much later. (0/1)
• Wrestling Standard claims WWE could also be announcing a women’s tag team tournament, which would take place at the PPV but could also take place sometime down the line.
• That’s also not the case. We recently learned how they’re going to crown the champs.It’s not a tournament but instead inside the Elimination Chamber. (0/1)
• The Wrestling Observer Newsletter says James Ellsworth isn’t under contract to WWE at this time. However, Ellsworth tweeted “sometimes when you read the ‘news’ and you know it’s not 100-percent accurate, you just have to laugh at it.” It’s unclear if that’s what he’s referencing but it seems likely.
• Whether true or not, he wasn’t around for long.

July 23, 2018

• There’s been even more speculation that Stephanie McMahon’s announcement on Raw tonight will be the introduction of women’s tag team titles. TicketDrew is saying the champions, once crowned, will defend the titles on both Raw and SmackDown.
• That wasn’t the announcement. (0/1)
• WrestleVotes is saying a source has told them the date for the WWE women’s pay-per-view could be Sept. 9 or Sept. 30 but could also be Oct. 14 or Oct. 28. It is also expected to feature the final of the Mae Young Classic.
• It was October 28. It did feature the MYC finals. (1/1)
• PW Insider says Paul Heyman is scheduled to be at Monday Night Raw and is expected to appear on television to build to SummerSlam.
• Don’t see him in the results of the most thorough live blog ever. (0/1)
• Speaking of that, don’t be surprised if the Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley match doesn’t have a clean finish.
• Spear. 1-2-3. (0/1)
• Jeff Hardy is injured but expected to fulfill his dates through at least SummerSlam.
• He worked pretty consistency during that time. (1/1)

July 24, 2018

• Becky Lynch is currently scheduled to face Carmella one-on-one for the SmackDown Women’s Title at SummerSlam, per TicketDrew.
• It was a tripe threat with Charlotte. (0/1)
• On a recent Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer speculated WWE will take the titles off current champs Carmella and Alexa Bliss before the just announced all-women PPV in October because their “matches have not been good,” and “that’s tough - because if you end [Evolution] with those two, there is going to be a struggle.”
• Becky Lynch was the SmackDown champion while Ronda Rousey the Raw champion. (2/2)
• WWE is promoting a NXT UK Women’s title match for Evolution. PW Insider reports Jinny, Toni Storm, Charlie Morgan, Rhea Ripley, Dakota Kai and Tegan Nox will be at the new brand’s first tapings this weekend.
• That Evolution match never came to pass. (0/1)
• PWG tweeted that Matt Riddle won’t be working BOLA this year as previously announced, another sign he could be WWE (or NJPW) bound soon.
• He’s in NXT now. (1/1)
• WWE is already working on ideas for SmackDown’s 1000th episode in Oct., says PW Insider.
• That was a very good show.

July 25, 2018

• Stephanie McMahon has fueled speculation that she could be wrestling at WWE Evolution in a recent interview with Sky Sports.
• She did not. (0/1)
• TicketDrew says there will be more Legends announced for WWE Evolution, including “one or more Hall of Famers” and The Bella Twins.
• Trish and Lita competed as did the Bellas. (2/2)
• He also says Elias will be in New York City playing songs from his just released album and that could include a performance at SummerSlam.
• He didn’t really have a performance of any of his songs. His guitar string broke and he immediately left. (0/1)
• Dave Meltzer mentioned on Twitter that Vince McMahon “clearly” wasn’t happy with Chris Jericho working the match against Tetsuya Naito.
• Jericho discusses that he thinks that’s why Vince took him out of the match with the Undertaker at Greatest Royal Rumble.
• There continues to be talk of Nikki Cross being called up to the main roster soon. She has been working SmackDown Live house shows recently and was on stage for the announcement of the upcoming WWE Evolution event.
• Really she just got called up, so not that soon. (0/1)

July 26, 2018

• Andrade “Cien” Almas is in line for a big push on SmackDown after impressing officials during his July 17 match with AJ Styles, reports PW Insider.
• It’s kind of come and gone and come again.
• By the end of 2019, WWE may expand the number of NXT TakeOver events to eight per year, per Barnburner’s No Holds Barred podcast.
• We’ll find out I suppose. I hope not.
• The Rock is leaning toward wrestling again soon, maybe even at WrestleMania 35, and will be making some WWE appearances soon, according to TicketDrew.
• We’ll find out about that soon too, though even if that was the plan, it may be off the table since he wouldn’t be working with Roman.
• TMZ says Nikki Bella has again moved out of John Cena’s house. She’s looking for a four bedroom, million dollar home in San Diego to be near Brie and “Figure herself out”.
• Just a four bedroom, million dollar home.
• Contrary to prior reports, PW Insider now says Jason Jordan has not been medically cleared and is still sidelined with a neck issue.
• He’s still out. (1/1)

This week: 10/23 - 43%

Overall: 2,567/4,661 - 55.1%

Enjoy the Royal Rumble, everyone!