WWE top 5 rumors of the week and analysis: 27 December 2015

A new found love from Vince McMahon?The WWE rumor mill had its fair share of speculations past week. This week’s edition of Monday Night Raw did not live up to the expectations, and WWE was forced to go back to the drawing board.The format and execution of the Slammy Awards were one of the major talking points from the mill. Fans were scratching their heads after this year’s Slammys and WWE is planning to make some changes next time around.There were some big movements in the independent scene as well and we are going to cover these and a lot more in this latest edition of top 5 rumors of the week and its analysis.

#5 Ring of Honor leaking talent

Maria and Bennett could be on their way to TNA

After the departure of Maria Kanellis and Mike Bennett, Ring of Honor might lose a string of other names as well.

The promotion’s talks with Jay Lethal are apparently not going anywhere and with interest from WWE, he is unlikely to sign a new deal with ROH.

Meanwhile, Bennett and Maria might move to TNA in 2016 as the company offered them a permanent deal. Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish could also leave Ring of Honor as their deals run out at the end of 2015.

WWE was earlier interested in bringing in O’Reilly and it would be interesting to see whether they will make a move for him or not.

#4 NXT tag team next in line for a call up

Tag team division could use Enzo and Cass

The rumors of Finn Balor or Sami Zayn getting a main roster call up before WrestleMania 32 broke down past week. Instead, WWE will have an NXT special with Balor and Zayn main eventing for the NXT Championship.

When Balor and Zayn are going to miss out, WWE is planning to give Enzo Amore and Big Cass a call-up. The tag team is popular down at NXT and they could get a main roster call up alongside Chad Gable and Jason Jordan.

The talks about Baron Corbin’s call up cooled down considerably this week, as he was not in the picture. However, he could get a shot at the NXT championship soon.

#3 Indy talent rejects WWE

Evans and Angelico

WWE is heavily interested in bringing in Angelico and Jack Evans of Lucha Underground. WWE even offered deals to the wrestlers on two separate occasions, but both of them rejected it.

Angelico, who hails from South Africa, could prove to be WWE’s trump card to explore the market. WWE is looking for someone to step into the void that Justin Gabriel left and Angelico could fit in well.

Jack Evans, meanwhile, has nearly two decades of experience in the business. Evans has a wealth of experience in his resume – which will come in handy if he joins WWE. But both superstars are staying put for the time being.

#2 Changes for Slammy Awards

All set to change

This year’s Slammy Awards received a lot of criticism as the format and execution of the awards did not sit well with the fans and they were vocal about the same.

Thanks to this, WWE is planning to change the Slammy format. They are likely to hold the award ceremony somewhere near WrestleMania – with the voting process done in advance.

This is likely to solve the problem regarding absent superstars. WWE will be able to shoot segments with the winners even if they are not present on the night. Moving Slammys to WrestleMania period could do wonders as well since WWE works on the basis of WrestleMania rather than the actual calendar.

#1 WrestleMania 32 rumors

Could return for WrestleMania

The injury and return date of Cesaro was a talking point last week. The Swiss Superman is likely to return in time for WrestleMania – which is a big boost for the WWE.

There were some rumors about Vince McMahon interested in pushing Cesaro and if it is true, we could see Cesaro make an impact at the show. The talks about a potential Kevin Owens vs. Brock Lesnar match is still going on and we might get it if Lesnar does not win the Royal Rumble.

Randy Orton’s status for the pay-per-view is still uncertain. Despite the setbacks, WWE is likely to go full throttle for the show.