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  • 5 Wrestling rumors we hope are true and 5 we hope aren't: WWE's post-WrestleMania feud for Roman Reigns, Title change at Elimination Chamber canceled due to real-life incident?
Parker Boudreaux, dubbed as the next Brock Lesnar (left); Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman (right)

5 Wrestling rumors we hope are true and 5 we hope aren't: WWE's post-WrestleMania feud for Roman Reigns, Title change at Elimination Chamber canceled due to real-life incident?

Welcome to this week's edition of WWE/wrestling rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't. RAW was a highly-talked-about episode after Bobby Lashley's dominant WWE Championship victory, while SmackDown didn't receive the same praise despite a good main event.

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The world of pro wrestling is busy as WrestleMania season approaches, and there is one last pay-per-view stop before The Show of Shows. Here are some of the big rumors of the pro wrestling and WWE world this week:

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#5. Hope is true: WWE's post-WrestleMania plans for Roman Reigns

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Roman Reigns on SmackDown
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Roman Reigns is set to face Edge at WrestleMania 37, but he has to get through Daniel Bryan first. The latter earned a WWE title shot after defeating Jey Uso inside a steel cage in the main event of SmackDown this past week.

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It seems all but guaranteed that Roman Reigns will walk into WrestleMania 37 as the Universal Champion. Given that he's arguably having the best run of his WWE career right now, it makes sense to have him face Edge - especially since his stock is higher than Daniel Bryan's at the moment.

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If Roman Reigns is to retain the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 37, then the likeliness of Edge returning for a follow-up run seems less. Post-WrestleMania is when WWE gives full-time superstars the chance to compete for a World title.

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According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE could be pushing Cesaro to be Roman Reigns' opponent post-WrestleMania 37:

Speculation from Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer and others is WWE is building Cesaro as an opponent for Roman Reigns after WrestleMania 37.

We hope this is true because Cesaro would be a perfect Universal Championship feud for Roman Reigns post-WrestleMania 37. He may have little to no chance of beating Reigns, but it's a big chance for Cesaro to have a rare WWE pay-per-view main event under his belt.

Given how AJ Styles did after losing to Roman Reigns in two consecutive pay-per-view main events, Cesaro's stock could rise even in defeat.

#5. Hope isn't true: WWE's original plan for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania

Asuka will defend the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania
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For the second year in a row, WWE RAW Women's Champion Asuka will walk into WrestleMania with a title in hand. While she was unsuccessful in defending the Women's tag team titles last year, she has a singles match lined up this year.

Charlotte Flair declared on RAW this past week that she wants to face Asuka for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 37. WWE scrapped Charlotte Flair's storyline with Lacey Evans after the latter got pregnant in real-life.

It was used in the storyline, but according to Fightful, Evans was scheduled to dethrone Asuka at Elimination Chamber to win her first title in WWE. She would then defend it against Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 37. Sportskeeda's Levi Grayshon wrote:

According to Fightful, the original plan was for Lacey Evans to defeat Asuka at Elimination Chamber, and win the RAW Women's Championship from her rival. Following this, the plans were for Evans' feud with Charlotte Flair to continue until WrestleMania 37 at the very least and possibly beyond the Show of Shows, which is set to take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
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We hope this isn't true because the storyline wasn't strong enough for WWE to warrant a title match. Asuka hasn't been too lucky at WrestleMania, and given that she is expected to face Charlotte Flair this year, her bad streak at The Grandest Stage of Them All might continue.

#4. Hope is true: Early reports on WWE's signing Parker Boudreaux

Parker Bordeaux has been dubbed as the next Brock Lesnar
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There is a lot of promise in one of WWE's most recent signings - Parker Boudreaux. The 22-year old developmental trainee gave up his college football career to chase his WWE dream.

Given his physical stature and resemblance to Brock Lesnar, many have instantly compared him to The Beast Incarnate. Some questions have arisen about WWE potentially fast-tracking him. A report from Fightful Select revealed that Parker Boudreaux is in the early stages of his developmental run and isn't expected to be on TV anytime soon:

Fightful Select released a report, and it covered the initial reactions to Parker Boudreaux's work in WWE. Several sources at the Performance Center told Fightful that the fans who expect to see Boudreaux on TV soon should 'pump their brakes.'

We hope this is true because WWE has a lot of time to help Boudreaux develop before putting him on NXT. It would be a mistake to have someone that green in a big spot. It may have worked out for Braun Strowman, but not everybody can learn on the job like that.

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#4. Hope isn't true: A new age limit for WWE signings?

Is WWE keeping an eye out for the future?
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Parker Boudreaux belongs to the younger category of WWE signings. But to secure the signing of somebody that young is beneficial to WWE since they can take their time with his development.

According to WON, there is a concern in WWE about the aging roster. The report went on to state that WWE has enforced an informal rule where they will only sign talent below the age of 30, barring a few exceptions:

The WWE is very aware of the aging aspect of the roster and developmental. We were told there has been a new doctrine when it comes to new signings that unless it is a special situation where somebody is really good or has potential, or if they have a name from elsewhere, they want to limit new developmental signings to those under the age of 30.
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While that may seem logical, wrestlers normally hit their prime in their 30s. It's not like other sports where retirement is encouraged in the 30s after passing their physical prime. There are several WWE Superstars over the age of 40 who have hit their stride.

We hope this isn't true because the new policy could make WWE miss out on some major signings.

#3. Hope is true: Reason why WWE is using Damian Priest so frequently on RAW

Damian Priest
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Damian Priest has been having a fantastic start to his career on the WWE main roster. Ever since he debuted in late January, he has been aligned with Puerto Rican celebrity singer Bad Bunny.

Bad Bunny seems to be a big WWE fan himself, and with over 37 million followers across three social media platforms, it's no surprise that the company has kept him and will do so until WrestleMania 37 atleast.

Damian Priest has benefited from it greatly, as his Puerto Rican heritage has led to him being paired with Bad Bunny on WWE TV. According to Dave Meltzer on the Wrestling Observer Radio, Bad Bunny brings new viewers to WWE, and Damian Priest is a direct benefactor:

"They think that the longer Bad Bunny is out there, the more Hispanics are going to watch. He does do well on YouTube. He does really well on YouTube." [H/T WrestlingNews.Co for the transcription]
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We hope this is true because it's good to use a celebrity to elevate new Superstars. It's a smart strategy from WWE.

#3. Hope isn't true: WWE introducing another title for NXT?

Triple H with the NXT Championship
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NXT has become WWE's third brand and it was officially considered that way after its move to the USA Network in 2019. At the same time is AEW Dynamite, and the two brands going head-to-head has been called the "Wednesday Night Wars".

New titles have been gradually introduced to NXT. First, it was the NXT Championship, NXT Women's Championship, and NXT Tag Team Championships. While these were logical, WWE decided to add a secondary title to the yellow and gold brand - the NXT North American Championship.

According to WON, WWE could be planning to introduce another title to NXT - a new set of Women's Tag Team Championships. Sportskeeda's Vatsal Rathod wrote:

As per Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via CSS), there are plans for NXT to introduce women's tag team titles soon. There is no confirmation yet on when that could happen.

We hope this isn't true because the WWE Women's tag team titles are already meant to be defended across the three brands. A new set of women's tag team titles seems unnecessary at this stage - or anytime in the future.

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#2. Hope is true: WWE planning to make WrestleMania "even bigger"

Bobby Lashley on RAW
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The state of WWE WrestleMania 37 will be interesting to see. It's expected to be the first WWE event in over a year to have fans back in attendance as well. Given that there will be a crowd, WWE has to plan something big.

There are a few big matches expected to be on the card, but a lot of changes could be taking place. While we're not sure if Bobby Lashley's WWE title win is included on that list, a report from WON revealed that Vince McMahon decided that WrestleMania 37 needs to be bigger:

Vince McMahon decided this week that the show needs to be bigger and to blow up the original ideas and how else can we use everyone, so there people are expecting changes this coming week from the original lineup and direction.

We hope this is true because it would be a good effort to try to make the biggest show possible. While we don't feel like everybody needs to be on the card, more names could help the show.

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#2. Hope isn't true: WWE issues a ban on thigh-slapping?

The thigh slap is a classic wrestling technique
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Many WWE and pro wrestling fans around the world aren't aware of the thigh-slapping technique. It's usually when a Superstar hits a kick of sorts and slaps his/her thigh simultaneously to create a good sound effect. It has been used by several top wrestlers, including Seth Rollins, Dolph Ziggler, Adam Cole, Shawn Michaels, etc.

It appears as though WWE isn't a fan of thigh-slapping anymore. In what seems to be a very random move, WON reported that WWE has issued a ban on thigh-slapping.

Not just this, but WWE is also reportedly fining Superstars for using the thigh slap. Sportskeeda's Lennard Surrao wrote:

In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that WWE had banned its Superstars from thigh slapping in matches. A story going around revealed that WWE is fining Superstars for 'thigh slapping.' Wrestlers slap their thighs during kicks and strikes for impactful sound effects, and the tactic has been used in wrestling for several decades.
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We hope this isn't true because it appears to be one of those random quirks that Vince McMahon suddenly has. It seems to be a pointless ban.

#1. Hope is true: What WWE higher-ups think about Sheamus

Sheamus and Drew McIntyre had a great match on RAW
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Sheamus' recent WWE run has been his best in years. While he spent most of 2016 to 2019 as a tag team wrestler, he returned to singles stardom in 2020.

His run on RAW and association with Drew McIntyre has helped elevate him, and he even competed for the WWE title at the Elimination Chamber. Sheamus went on to face Drew McIntyre 8 days later on RAW, and the two men put on an instant classic.

According to a report from Fightful (via Cageside Seats), Sheamus' recent in-ring work has received high praise backstage in WWE:

Fightful also indicates that higher ups in WWE were very impressed with the match between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus on this week’s (Mar. 1) episode of Raw. Sheamus’ recent in-ring work received especially high praise.

We hope this is true because Sheamus deserves credit for his work in the last few months. He has proven that his best isn't necessarily behind him. We hope that he continues to have a good run on RAW.

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#1. Hope isn't true: WWE has no plans for an NXT title match at WrestleMania

Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 37
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Last year at WrestleMania 36, a bit of history was made in WWE. It was the first time an NXT Championship was involved at WrestleMania. Royal Rumble 2020 winner Charlotte Flair challenged NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley to a showdown at WrestleMania.

They had a great match at WrestleMania 36, and Flair walked out as a two-time NXT Women's Champion. While there were reports about WWE planning NXT's involvement at WrestleMania 37, that may not be the case.

According to WrestleTalk, WWE isn't planning on having an NXT title or NXT Women's title match at WrestleMania 37:

According to Louis Dangoor of WrestleTalk, WWE has no plans to feature the NXT Championship or the NXT Women's Championship at this year's two-day WrestleMania event.

We hope this isn't true because it would be perfect for the card. For starters, it's a two-day card this year as well. WWE may want to involve the whole roster, but it would be better to have one or two quality NXT title matches on each day.

It would help showcase WWE's third brand and give it more global exposure. With a month left until WrestleMania, it doesn't appear as though WWE has any plan of involving NXT at WrestleMania.

Meet the man who called CM Punk the softest man alive HERE

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Edited by
Kaushik Das
 
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