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We're back with another edition of Sportskeeda's weekly series in which we take a look at the rumors from the world of professional wrestling that came true. We have details about WWE's RAW Underground concept and the identity of the person responsible for the idea.
A long-time rumor of AEW being interested in Goldberg was also confirmed. A former WWE Champion has also been written off TV, as previously reported.
Finally, speculation about a recently released WWE Superstar being offered a chance to return for a one-off angle was also alluded to by the Superstar himself. WWE also confirmed a dream title feud and the return of a forgotten WWE PPV this week.
On that note, let's take a look at the six rumors that came true this week:
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#6. AEW was interested in signing Goldberg, booking plan revealed
The rumor of AEW possibly signing Goldberg has been circulating since the day the promotion was established way back in January 2019.
Rajah.com had reported back then that the company was hoping to get Goldberg on board through wrestling agent Barry Bloom, who was also reportedly overseeing Chris Jericho's negotiations with the promotion. There was a substantial amount of speculation being discussed about Goldberg potentially jumping ship to AEW; however, the former WCW Champion continued to work for the WWE sporadically.
Jim Cornette has now confirmed the rumor about AEW's interest in signing Goldberg while also revealing the promotion's plan for the veteran Superstar.
Cornette revealed on the 344th episode of The Jim Cornette Experience that Tony Khan was into the idea of signing Goldberg. It was also added that the AEW President wanted Goldberg to come to AEW and do the streak again.
Here's what Cornette revealed on the podcast episode:
"Goldberg was huge on Tony Khan's want list. He wanted Goldberg to come out and do the streak over again. I mentioned how much you think he's gonna charge for a 30-second job match? Probably the same as a main event PPV match."
Tony Khan has admitted in the past that he likes the former WWE Universal Champion
Tony Khan had himself revealed in January 2019 that he really liked Bill Goldberg while also calling the former Universal Champion as one of the greatest draws ever in professional wrestling. Khan kept the door open when it came to doing business with Goldberg.
"I have spent some time with Bill, I really like Bill a lot, and he's one of the greatest drawing cards ever in the business, he's a huge star, a household name … and yeah, if the situation was right, obviously. I haven't agreed to anything with Bill or anything, but I like Bill a lot."
Goldberg last wrestled at WrestleMania 36 where he dropped the Universal title to Braun Strowman. Could a move to AEW still be on the cards? Will Vince McMahon allow it to happen?
#5. Ric Flair written off WWE TV
Ric Flair's run on WWE RAW seemingly came to an end this past week after Randy Orton turned on the Nature Boy and delivered the punt kick to end the show.
Dave Meltzer had reported a few days before the episode that WWE had already taped the angle and the segment was set to be aired either on the last episode or on the upcoming one.
Here's what Meltzer revealed:
“It’s already taped so Ric Flair is there and the Ric Flair angle I guess is probably already taped unless they canned it. At the last word, when they were doing the taping that afternoon, the Ric Flair angle was definitely still on the show. The only two things that were there [in the script] were Shane McMahon’s thing and the Ric Flair-Randy Orton angle and then they threw that show together at the end.”
WWE decided to air the segment on the most recent edition of RAW, and it could be the last time we see the WWE Hall of Famer on TV for a while.
WrestlingNews.co revealed more information on WWE's decision to take Ric Flair off TV. It was explained that the WWE felt that the focus of the title programme had to be on Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre and there was no need for Ric Flair to be involved.
There is, however, also some speculation of WWE possibly saving up a swerve for SummerSlam with regards to Ric Flair.
#4. WWE's offer to Erick Rowan
Stephanie Chase recently caught up with Erick Rowan aka Erick Redbeard for a Q&A session on Sportskeeda's Instagram handle. The former Wyatt Family member was asked about whether the WWE had offered him a chance to return for a one-off appearance at Extreme Rules.
If you'd remember, WWE showed Erick Rowan in the video packages during the build-up for the Wyatt Swamp Fight between Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt.
Speculation naturally began doing the rounds about Erick Rowan possibly returning to WWE TV. The recently released Superstar confirmed that the WWE did call him regarding a one-off return, but he was already tied up with another filming commitment.
Here's what Erick Rowan revealed during the Q&A session:
"There may have been a chance I was given a call, and there may have been a chance that I was busy filming. So yeah, there is a high probability that I just wasn't able to fill their request."
Erick Rowan also opened up about the original plans for Sister Abigail, the spider cage storyline and various other interesting topics during the Q&A sessions which you view in its entirety above.
#3. Shane McMahon came up with the RAW Underground concept in WWE
Tom Colohue had reported on a recent edition of Sportskeeda's Dropkick DiSKussions podcast that RAW Underground was entirely Shane McMahon's idea.
Tom also spoke about Shane McMahon's growing influence backstage in WWE and how people behind the scenes are quite pleased with his creative inputs.
"It was entirely Shane's idea, and I wouldn't be too surprised to see him step into that ring sooner rather than later. Honestly, people in the WWE are really quite high on some of Shane's ideas recently, including back in the Best of the World tournament and the Royal Rumble this year where he was heavily involved in the booking. WWE has lost a lot of writing talent recently, so they have been leaning on wrestlers like Bryan, like Edge and the bosses, the McMahon family as well, even though, for example, Stephanie McMahon isn't there and isn't involved in anything. Shane's been very vocal."
Tom Colohue's report was pretty much confirmed by MVP during the former United States Champion's interview with Newsweek. The leader of the Hurt Business revealed that it was Shane McMahon who explained the RAW Underground concept to him.
"It was a shock for us, too. Shane McMahon explained to us the concept of what they wanted to do and I thought, "Wow, that's pretty cool," and you know, we're all competitive athletes in combat sports so it was like, "Yeah, OK, that's right up our alley."
The fans have witnessed two editions of RAW Underground thus far and it's still too early to make a judgement regarding the success of Shane McMahon's unique project.
#2. Jeff Hardy vs. AJ Styles for the IC title at WWE SummerSlam
WWE kickstarted the Intercontinental Championship programme between AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy on the latest episode of SmackDown.
PWInsider was the first to report about WWE's plans to have the two Superstars in an IC title feud. Dave Meltzer had, however, later revealed a backstage incident about Vince McMahon' tearing up' various plans for SmackDown, including a title storyline featuring AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy.
Matt Riddle vs. King Corbin (or perhaps a three-way involving Sheamus), and an A.J. Styles IC title match. At one point, Styles vs. Jeff Hardy was penciled in for that spot, but when Vince McMahon has torn up Smackdown of late, the angles to kick that off were torn up so who knows if it's still the plans.
Thankfully for the fans who've always wanted to see the dream match between AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy in the WWE (they have faced each other in TNA/ IMPACT Wrestling), the company stuck to the plan.
#1. WWE Payback returns after 3-year absence
As confirmed by the WWE, the Payback PPV will return for the first time since 2017, and the latest edition of the show will take place one week after SummerSlam on August 30th.
WrestleVotes had reported at the end of July that the WWE chose to add the Payback PPV to its schedule. The surprising information turned out to be accurate.
Bayley and Sasha Banks will defend the Women's Tag Team titles on the show against a tag team that is yet to be announced.
The first edition of Payback happened in 2013, and the WWE continued to feature it every year until 2017. This year's Payback will be the sixth instalment in the series of shows.
