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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 just right into it.
- WWE was not involved in Enzo Amore’s Survivor Series appearance in any way, says PW Insider. Many backstage and in the locker room were upset by it, but the company likely told everyone to ignore it, so don’t expect any social media posts directed at Amore from Superstars.
- This was definitely not a WWE angle. It was pretty much ignored by the roster, though Liv Morgan had a subtweet or two. (1/1)
- A woman seated near where Enzo was in Staples Center was knocked over when security took him out. She was reportedly treated for an arm injury.
- Enzo just making things bad for everyone around him.
- According to Pro Wrestling Torch, Impact is talking to several networks for their next TV deal, including TruTV, WGN, and SyFy. If nothing can be worked out, they’ll likely stay at PopTV in their current late night slot.
- They ended up at Pursuit, which is not one of the stations listed, likely because no one had ever heard of it. (0/1)
- On Twitter, Dave Meltzer mentioned WWE may be working on small brand featuring wrestlers assigned to the Performance Center who work the Florida house show but who don’t get time on screen with NXT.
- Just what they need. Another brand. That has not come to pass. (0/1)
- In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter it said Cody Rhodes wants to work the 2019 G1 Climax tournament, indicating he’s sticking with New Japan beyond the end of this year.
- He’s no longer with New Japan now that he runs his own company. (0/1)
- According to Wrestling Observer, “nobody of importance” was upset with the crowd booing Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series. WWE isn’t worried about cheers or boos, they just want packed houses with loud fans.
- They eventually turned her heel anyway, which was needed.
- That’s probably because, as Dave Meltzer said on Observer Radio, “they wanted three super over women when this was over.” The goal was to get Charlotte Flair the level of reaction Rousey and Becky Lynch have been getting after she cooled off during the Lynch feud.
- Charlotte never got Becky or Ronda reactions, but surely got her reactions.
- AJ Styles is negotiating a new WWE contract, per PW Insider, but his current one lasts until April 2019. That site also says AJ is in the top 1% of the roster in terms of compensation, and can make more with WWE than with anywhere else.
- He’s re-signed, and says this will be his last contract.
- Daniel Bryan was originally going to answer questions during his pre-match backstage interview at Survivor Series instead of smiling at the camera, per a script rajah.com says it obtained.
- Bryan can do what he wants. He’s owning this character.
- There’s increasing talk Silas Young may sign with WWE after his ROH contract expires next month.
- Silas is still with Ring of Honor, re-upping with them instead. (0/1)
- Ronda Rousey is expected to wrestle Charlotte Flair again before getting to a Becky Lynch match at WrestleMania 35, likely at Royal Rumble, per the Observer.
- She did not face Charlotte again prior to Becky. Instead it was at the same time. She faced Sasha Banks at Royal Rumble. That was a very good match. (0/1)
- That said, it is at least possible they do a triple threat at WrestleMania.
- That’s the way it went down. (1/1)
- According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE is going to continue using Roman Reigns and his leukemia diagnosis in storylines going forward.
- Not really. Drew McIntyre said “You may have beaten cancer but you won’t beat me” when feuding after Roman returned, but it hasn’t really been mentioned after the Ambrose turn. (0/1)
- He also says there is no plan for Brock Lesnar vs. Batista at WrestleMania 35.
- Was that something that was banded around? (1/1)
- Per PW Insider, WWE is interested in signing ACH for NXT come January.
- That’s the case. (1/1)
- Pro Wrestling Sheet reports Jim Ross and Chris Jericho are not involved with the planning of All Elite Wrestling. That is being driven by Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks. Y2J and JR could be talent for the new promotion, however.
- I guess we don’t know if they had any input in the planning, but they’re both on screen talent. (2/2)
- On PW Insider Elite audio, Mike Johnson said there’s not a lot of concern backstage regarding Braun Strowman’s elbow. While it could turn out to be worse, the expectation now is he won’t even have to miss much television.
- He missed a few weeks and couldn’t actually wrestle at TLC, though the match still happened. (0/1)
- If he’s not 100% ready to go by TLC, WWE could book a one-sided match where Strowman destroys Baron Corbin. That would allow Braun to essentially rest & rehab all the way until Royal Rumble.
- That wasn’t the way they did it. Instead, everyone else beat the hell out of Corbin. (0/1)
- While he stressed that plans could change, Johnson also said on Elite audio that the “expectation backstage at Raw” last Monday is that Alexa Bliss will replace Corbin as General Manager after TLC.
- Also not the case. Instead they did the thing where they got rid of GMs and the McMahons run everything now. (0/1)
- Miz worked face in a dark match against Daniel Bryan on Tuesday night and cut the traditional promo thanking the fans to close WWE’s run at Staples Center. This is fueling speculation a full-time turn is being considered for him.
- We’re in Miz Babyface territory now. (1/1)
- According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Brock Lesnar’s current opponent for WrestleMania 35 is Seth Rollins. It’s unclear if that will be a Universal title match or not. The feud will “play off Roman Reigns in some fashion.”
- It was a Universal title match, but didn’t play off Roman Reigns at all. (1/2)
- It’s so tough given he’s usually out doing his comedy thing. But he’s back now to work Kofi Kingston in Saudi Arabia.
- The plan is for Lars Sullivan to get a “super push,” per the Observer.
- I’d say that didn’t happen yet because of his anxiety issues. (0/1)
- WrestleTalk says two current WWE main roster stars have been approached about the new promotion led by The Elite and have “provisionally accepted” deals that would see them leave WWE by next April.
- Wonder if one of them was Dean Ambrose, who just showed up in AEW last night? Goldust could have been one since he’s working there now. Tye Dillinger is also there, but he got out of his contract earlier than planned.
- EC3 was scheduled to be called up to the main roster after the Brooklyn show but suffered a concussion and is now back in waiting, per PW Insider.
- He got called up in December. He’s never used and there was even rumor Vince didn’t care for him after a botch.
- WWE was going to have Natalya turn on Ronda Rousey for a feud between the two but Jim Neidhart’s death made them change their minds, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
- They eventually had a match, but it was as friends.
- They also say the storyline involving Shane McMahon and fallout of his World Cup win are still going to happen, it just won’t be until the start of 2019.
- Yeah, it slowed down a bit but it happened. (1/1)
- John Cena has been added to even more WWE shows early next year. He’s expected back for the run up to Royal Rumble.
- He was on a couple episodes but he wasn’t part of the “run up to the Rumble.” (0/1)
- Per the Observer, the brand split will remain in effect when SmackDown moves to FOX because FOX doesn’t want to cross promote with a rival network.
- It’s barely in effect now!
- Hiromu Takahashi may never be able to return to the ring, per the latest on his condition from the Observer.
- Sounds like he could be back soon, thankfully! I’ll wait until something is official.
This week: 9/21 - 43%
Overall: 2,748/4,990 - 55.1%
Have a great week, everyone!