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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. First, let’s take care of some outstanding rumors.
- Fightful.com says the expectation is that Chelsea Green/Laurel Van Ness will sign with WWE in 2018. The company was impressed with her work on Impact last year.
- She is in NXT. She broke her wrist early on so that derailed her time heading to TV, but she’s with them. (1/1)
- The Observer says WWE is already talking about Ronda Rousey in the main event of WrestleMania 35.
- This is accurate. It was a triple threat with Becky and Charlotte. It’s the Becky stuff you probably would not have believed when this rumor originally came out. (1/1)
- The Observer notes that while it’s possible Paul Heyman could work with someone other than Brock Lesnar, it’s most likely he’ll leave if/when Lesnar does.
- While he’s only worked with Lesnar on screen, given his new behind the scenes role, Paul ain’t going anywhere despite what Lesnar does. (0/1)
- The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports talk of Bam Bam Bigelow in the Hall of Fame next year with the connection to New Jersey.
- Still waiting on Bam Bam to get the posthumous nod. (0/1)
Now, onto this week’s rumors:
- Charlotte Flair or Becky Lynch is likely to win the women’s Royal Rumble, according to the Observer.
- It was Becky. Charlotte was the last eliminated. (1/1)
- PW Insider says Heavy Machinery, EC3, Nikki Cross, and Lacey Evans are all expected to be at both Raw and SmackDown Live this week, so it’s again possible any or all of them debut.
- They did start showing up, though EC3 was just standing topless in the hallway in the back. Is that really a debut? We did get introduced to Otis though! (1/1)
- Per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Luke Harper hasn’t been cleared to wrestle after surgery and his recovery “was harder than expected” but he’s almost ready to return.
- Outside a throwaway participant in the Andre battle royal, we never really saw him again. Now he’s just waiting out his contract.
- There is apparently nothing to rumors of a WWE Network price hike anytime soon, says PW Insider.
- It’s still $9.99, though those rumors/speculations continue to persist. (1/1)
- The Observer says there is talk of Tino Sabbatelli trying out for an announcer spot due to his injury issues.
- We haven’t seen him in that role yet. (0/1)
- Braun Strowman was not pulled from the Universal title match at Royal Rumble due to his injury, according to Wrestling Observer.
- That was a weird one.
- Furthermore, that site says changing Brock Lesnar’s opponent “was always the plan”. [Editor’s note: There’s more from the Observer and PWInsider on this here]
- It was a pretty sneaky bait and switch, maybe to sell tickets.
- WWE is talking to Dave Bautista about a “major” match at WrestleMania 35, says Slice Wrestling.
- He finally got what he wanted - a match with Triple H. (1/1)
- Per WrestleVotes, Lars Sullivan didn’t leave Raw in Orlando last Monday as was previously reported. He was scheduled to be there but never showed. Rajah.com says his debut is scheduled for next Monday, but all plans involving Lars are in “serious jeopardy” due to his absence and lack of communication with WWE.
- We learned he may have been dealing with anxiety. He eventually debuted down the line, but now is out for awhile due to a knee injury.
- Chris Sabin and Flip Gordon both suffered knee injuries at last weekend’s shows. The extent of Gordon’s injury isn’t known yet, but the Observer says Sabin is believed to have torn his ACL.
- Gordon’s injury was not that bad. But Sabin hasn’t wrestled since due to an ACL tear. (1/1)
- There is once again talk floating around of WWE doing away with the brand split.
- It’s still technically existent, but for all intents and purposes, it’s really not. Since it is not officially over and there are two major titles, I’m going to say it’s not over. But the Wild Card rule has rendered it obsolete. (0/1)
- Fandango, Erick Rowan, and Sami Zayn have all been at the WWE Performance Center recently to prepare for their returns, says PW Insider. They also note Kevin Owens has lost “considerable” weight since he’s been out.
- Still waiting on Dango. Rowan was just a tag team champion with Daniel Bryan. Sami Zayn returned as the critic of the critics. Owens did cut some weight.
- According to WWE Network News, the WWE Network will be adding WWF Superstars from 1992 as its classic content for January.
- There is some 1992 Superstars on there. Can’t tell when it was uploaded. (1/1)
- Per PW Insider, Rush’s deal with ROH is exclusive only to the United States and he’ll be able to continue wrestling for CMLL in Mexico.
- Looks like he’s working CMLL still. (1/1)
- Speaking of ROH, they also say Tracy Williams and PJ Black have signed deals there, and another signing could be announced soon.
- I don’t see any more signings around that time. Hot Sauce and PJ are there. (1/2)
- “A situation unfolded” at Raw which led to sources telling Fightful WWE is worried The Revival “are done or finishing up with the company”, but they couldn’t confirm Dash & Dawson have asked for their release.
- The word is still that they did request a release. But they’re still with the company and they’re the champions on Raw.
- Mike and Maria Kanellis recently asked for their release from WWE, per Pro Wrestling Sheet.
- This was disputed by Mike and Maria, but we don’t know what’s true. What we do know is they recently signed a five year deal.
- That report notes that WWE doesn’t have to honor a request for release, something WrestleVotes also mentioned that when they tweeted the stories of multiple wrestlers requesting to be released “are more than likely true”.
- Tye Dillinger (now Shawn Spears) asked for his release and was granted it. Luke Harper asked for his and was denied.
- PW Insider says Harper & Rowan are both cleared, and the Bludgeon Brothers could return as soon as next Tuesday’s SmackDown in Wichita.
- The Bludgeon Brothers never happened again. (0/1)
- An announcement by UK indie promotion Defiant that European scene standout Ilja Dragunov will not appear for them next month has rekindled talk the 25 year old Russian is coming to WWE.
- He’s in NXT UK now. (1/1)
- While there are wrestlers asking to be released within WWE, the Observer says none are expected to have their requests granted.
- A month later Dillinger did, so someone did. Hideo Itami was granted his too. (0/1)
- To that end, PW Insider notes Mike Kanellis had his request for a release from WWE rejected a number of weeks ago.
- Maybe it happened. Just because Mike and Maria denied it doesn’t mean this isn’t true.
- Related to all this, Insider says WWE is now talking to talent who have deals coming up within the next year and trying to sign them to new long term deals.
- This was the beginning of WWE trying to stave off talent leaving for AEW.
- Per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Andrade warned both Rush and Dragon Lee about going to WWE, saying “it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
- Andrade is booked rather well. But it could also be a tough environment I’m sure.
- WWE has given Lars Sullivan the option to return whenever he is ready, according to the Observer.
- It was months later.
- Although WWE ran video packages saying he would return soon, the Wrestling Observer notes Kevin Owens won’t be brought back to television until after WrestleMania 35.
- He was brought back prior. He returned in February to challenge Daniel Bryan. (0/1)
- Vince McMahon just wants the NXT call ups to be seen on television while the creative team figures out what to do with them, says the Observer.
- The creative team still hasn’t found stuff for one of them... EC3. Everyone else is booked rather well.
- The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is saying Luke Harper isn’t yet medically cleared but he’s close to returning.
- He only returned at the Worlds Collide tournament just prior to WrestleMania. (0/1)
- Speaking of injuries, they also says wrestlers who work for WWE and miss time for those injuries are having their contracts extended for each day they’re out of action.
- That’s happening to Luke Harper reportedly.
- Per PW Insider, Tye Dillinger is expected to return to the road for WWE within the next few weeks.
- According to good ol’ cagematch, he returned early February. (1/1)
This week: 10/17 - 59%
Overall: 2,833/5,125 - 55.3%
Have a great week, everyone!