4 Wrestling rumors we hope are true and 3 we hope aren't: 3-Time World Champion set for AEW debut next week, Underutilized star requests WWE release

Welcome to this week's edition of WWE/wrestling rumors we hope are true, and those we hope aren't. It's the post-Extreme Rules edition, and we expect rumors to be flowing this week ahead of the WWE Draft and plans for the future.

This week's edition features a potentially massive AEW debut, major plans for WrestleMania 38, backstage notes, FOX not being happy with WWE over SmackDown, and so much more. Let's begin:

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#4 Hope is true: Bray Wyatt's future after WWE

Bray Wyatt is no longer a WWE Superstar. It has been less than two months since his release from the company, meaning a 90-day gap is required. That's what virtually every superstar released from WWE has to face, where they're on the payroll but aren't allowed to compete elsewhere.

An interesting exception to this was Aleister Black (Malakai Black), whose contract seemed to be "botched."

While a 90-day non-compete clause is common, Aleister Black only had to do 30 days before he jumped ship to AEW.

From the look of things, Bray Wyatt's case could be similar as well. Despite 90 days not being up, Cageside Seats reported that Bray Wyatt could debut on the 29th September episode of AEW Dynamite, which will emanate from Rochester, New York, the hometown of Brodie Lee.

"Despite it not being 90 days since his WWE release, there is a lot of speculation that Bray Wyatt will debut for AEW next week in Rochester, New York, which is Brodie Lee’s hometown."

We hope this is true because Bray Wyatt might just be the final piece in the puzzle that AEW needs.

The company is now stacked with top-tier talent, and although Wyatt would add to a big wage bill alongside Bryan Danielson, CM Punk, etc., he would be the perfect signing for AEW.

#3 Hope isn't true: A major development on Gran Metalik's WWE future

It could be argued that Gran Metalik is one of WWE's most underutilized superstars today. He debuted with WWE as a member of the Cruiserweight Classic and reached the finals of the tournament before losing to winner TJP.

Metalik was highly reputed during his time in Mexico, where he performed for the CMLL promotion. However, in WWE, he spent a large part of his prime being underutilized by the company. He was only 28 years old when he signed, but for most of the time, he has been floundering with The Lucha House Party. Kalisto was released earlier this year, which means that only Metalik and Lince Dorado are left.

Dorado might have to go solo soon, as Gran Metalik has reportedly requested his release from WWE, per Latin American website Mas Lucha.

Sportskeeda's Danny Hart wrote:

According to Latin American website Mas Lucha, the 33-year-old has requested his release due to a lack of opportunities in the company. His current contract is set to expire in 2023.

#3 Hope is true: WWE planning for a multi-day WrestleMania event in 2022?

WWE will be bringing WrestleMania back to Arlington, Texas next year as The Grandest Stage Of Them All will take place at the AT&T Stadium.

WrestleMania 32 was at the same venue, but an injury-plagued roster meant that WWE had limited options in terms of matches to make.

Not that it justifies the main event that fans absolutely detested, but they have a chance to make it right six years later. If there's anything that the last two WrestleManias have proven, it's that having it play out over two days is far better than one.

WWE is reportedly planning a two-day WrestleMania event, as well as a big episode of RAW. Sportskeeda's Prityush Haldar wrote:

As per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, major concerns over a two-day event were surrounding planning, security, insurance, cost of production, length, and WWE were exploring all possible options. The company also reportedly posed the idea of holding WrestleMania on Sunday, followed by Monday Night RAW at the same venue with a 40,000 seat setup.

We hope this is true. While it looks like a logistic nightmare right now, the fact that WWE is going out of their way means that a two-day WrestleMania is a realistic option for 2022.

#3 Hope isn't true: WWE's last-minute change in plans for RAW

WWE made some major changes to RAW last week. The originally advertised match was between The New Day and The Bloodline, the latter of whom were making their returns to RAW after a long time away.

It was a one-off, but the finish of the six-man tag team match led to a RAW main event between Universal Champion Roman Reigns, WWE Champion Big E, and Bobby Lashley.

Bobby Lashley ate the pin once more, with Roman Reigns winning both matches on the night. According to Dave Meltzer of WON, the six-man tag team match was the originally scheduled main event:

“Obviously, the six-man tag was going to be the main event of the show, originally," said Melzter. "What happened on the weekend shows in North Charleston and Augusta, they did a three-way between Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley, and Big E, and Vince [McMahon] got the word that the matches were very good. So, at noon the day of the show, he did an about-face and moved the six-man tag to basically set up this match as the main event, figuring this would be the strongest ratings possible by putting that match on television. That’s why it wasn’t advertised and that’s why it was a last-minute thing.” (H/T WrestlingNews.co)

We hope this isn't true, because while it was a good main event, WWE instantly devalued the dream six-man tag team match by having it set up another bout.

#2 Hope is true: Backstage news on whether WWE will use Roman Reigns on both brands

Roman Reigns' RAW appearance had one objective for WWE - a ratings boost. After AEW Dynamite beat RAW in the 18-49 demographic, it seemed to be a big sign for WWE to change things up.

Roman Reigns made his first appearance on RAW after over a year. There were a lot of questions as to whether it would become a frequent thing.

Many WWE fans don't seem to be fond of frequent brand crossovers because it takes the luster away from it, particularly during Survivor Series season - the one time a year when RAW and SmackDown face off in head-to-head competition.

According to Dave Meltzer of WON, Roman Reigns appearing on both brands isn't an idea that WWE is looking at long-term.

''Regarding talk that the top stars may appear on both brands like Reigns to try and boost ratings after this week. “Not a long-term strategy. Not even a short-term one.” Of course all can change on a moment’s notice but as of this week this wasn’t something they were planning on regularly doing,'' stated Meltzer.

We hope this is true because the Wild Card rule from 2019 wasn't a good idea, and it felt like a relief when WWE announced its conclusion ahead of the Draft that year. It should be kept as one-offs so it makes interbrand appearances more special.

#1 Hope isn't true: FOX unhappy with WWE over SmackDown?

SmackDown has become WWE's undisputed A-Show over the course of the last year. With the biggest stars and moments being put on the blue brand, as well as both of WrestleMania 37's main events being from SmackDown, it's safe to assume that it has overtaken RAW.

That is, of course, because of the mammoth five-year, $1-billion deal that the comapny is getting from FOX. Starting from October 2019, there are still a few more years left in the deal.

However, with $200 million a year going to WWE for broadcasting rights for SmackDown alone, FOX expects high ratings in return. According to a report from Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select, FOX isn't happy with the company over SmackDown viewership

Sportskeeda's Jeremy Bennett wrote:

On Friday, Fightful Select posted a lengthy report that detailed some disappointment by FOX on its viewership of SmackDown. However, it also stated that the relationship between the two parties is not as strained, contrary to earlier reports in the year.

We hope this isn't true because the entire pandemic must be taken into account. For 16 months, WWE had to hold shows behind closed doors, and that has largely played a part in potentially declining ratings.

#1 Hope is true: WWE officials' reaction to Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair

The top Women's feud in SmackDown, and arguably all of WWE, is Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair. Although The Man vacated the RAW Women's Champion before taking her long hiatus, she returned to SmackDown, which also has to do with having the biggest stars on the blue brand.

Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair has been a hit so far. If their Extreme Rules match is anything to go by, it's that Becky has been successful as a heel, while Bianca Belair has worked as a babyface.

Many fans feared that WWE's face-heel dynamic with both women wouldn't work, but it has. According to Sean Ross Sapp, WWE officials have reportedly been highly impressed with both Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair and their program together.

Officials backstage have been happy with the Becky Lynch/Bianca Belair program, per Fightful Select.

We hope this is true because it's been one of the best feuds on WWE TV. The return of Sasha Banks at Extreme Rules only adds more interest to the dynamic, and it could lead to an epic triple threat match soon.