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This week's edition of WWE/wrestling rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't features the latest on backstage news, big returns, expiring contracts, injuries, controversies, and more.
WWE returns to "normal" this coming week as the live touring schedule is set to restart. It kicks off on SmackDown, which is two days before Money in the Bank 2021.
It's going to be a big week in the world of wrestling and here are some of the big rumors of the week:
#4. Hope is true: Chad Gable's WWE status
There are fewer stars on the WWE roster more underrated than Chad Gable. He's close to completing five years on the main roster and this year, he has been regularly featured on SmackDown.
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That's perhaps thanks to Gable's pairing with Otis, who turned heel when aligning with him. Even then, Chad Gable still falls into the category of underutilized superstars in WWE, especially looking at how talented he is.
Many have compared him to Kurt Angle in his peak NXT days with Jason Jordan and The American Alpha. The comparisons did him no favor, but he spent a few years floundering on the WWE main roster.
Hopefully, this changes at some point. It could still happen, especially since Gable is only 35 years old - a young age for a male WWE Superstar. But with top-tier talent getting released from the company with their increasingly regular cuts, nobody's job status seems certain except for a select few.
Dax Harwood of AEW teased fans by implying that Chad Gable's WWE contract was coming up soon:
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported that it was more in jest by Harwood and that Gable has plenty of time left on his WWE contract. He further stated that several AEW superstars would push for Tony Khan to sign Chad Gable if he becomes a free agent. Sportskeeda's Matt Black wrote:
While Chad Gable might still be with WWE for now, several AEW talents told Sean Ross Sapp that if Gable were free and clear of WWE, they would heavily push to get the talented performer into All Elite Wrestling.
We hope this is true because it seems like a win-win situation for Gable. Hopefully, he proves his ability to WWE higher-ups and gets a singles push down the line. He has a rare all-round ability that he hasn't had the opportunity to showcase.
#4. Hope isn't true: Why John Cena's WWE future is in doubt
Rumors have been floating about John Cena returning to WWE to headline SummerSlam 2021. The Biggest Party of the Summer will take place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas - with a crowd of 60,000+ people expected to attend.
This will make SummerSlam the No. 1 show this year on the WWE calendar, as WrestleMania 37 took place in front of a restricted 25,675 fans on each night. If John Cena does return to the company, then he is expected to face Roman Reigns in a blockbuster main event.
However, it may not be as simple as WWE fans hope. Cena has been announced as part of an all-star cast for the movie Argylle featuring Henry Cavill, Samuel L. Jackson, pop singer Dua Lipa, and more.
This might cause a problem as it could be similar to The Rock's situation in 2013, per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. When The Rock faced John Cena at WrestleMania 29, The Great One got injured and it was costly because he was supposed to film Hercules.
Sportskeeda's Divesh Merani wrote:
Back in 2013, The Great One tore his abdominal and adductor muscles and suffered a hernia during his match against Cena at WrestleMania 29. As a result, the shoot for his movie, 'Hercules', was pushed back by a few weeks. The Rock has not had a full-length WWE match since then due to insurance issues. This concern could extend over to Cena and 'Argylle'. A potential injury to the 16-time world champion at SummerSlam may halt filming and the insurance regarding it could be a major issue for the production company.
We hope this isn't true, but it might be a reality. When WWE stars start making it big in Hollywood, their appearances decrease by the year. The Rock likely didn't know that he would wrestle his last full match in 2013.
#3. Hope is true: Vince McMahon impressed with a new WWE main roster star
There has been an interesting new storyline in the WWE Women's division. Eva Marie has returned and alongside her is Piper Niven - who now goes by the name of Doudrop.
Marie looks like she hasn't missed a beat character-wise. When she abruptly stopped appearing on WWE TV in 2016, she was entertaining because fans found her somewhat controversial.
In her second WWE run, she seems to have taken on more of a managerial role, with Doudrop/Piper Niven looking like she will be elevated in the process. While Niven has been a more serious character before, this may not be a start.
The best start for any superstar on the WWE main roster is to be able to impress Vince McMahon. According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, we're going to be seeing a lot more of the Eva Marie-Doudrop pairing and that McMahon is impressed with the latter:
“We’re going to see a lot of Eva Marie and Doudrop, because Vince apparently loves the end goal,” Johnson stated. “I was told he’s super impressed with Piper Niven so far.”
We hope this is true because it has been an entertaining pairing and one of the better parts of RAW. With the WWE Universe returning, it will be interesting to see how the perception of the duo is.
#3. Hope isn't true: WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk in bad health
The hardcore legend and WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk is now 77 years old. In an iconic career that spanned five decades, Funk gained his reputation as arguably the greatest hardcore wrestler ever.
He had several short retirements, one of which lasted only 11 days before he returned and eventually joined WWE. He only actually had a few short stints with the company, but that was enough for him to earn a place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, the 77-year old legend isn't in good health at all. His wife Vicki Weaver died a couple of years ago and another WWE Hall of Famer, Don Muraco, revealed on his podcast that Terry Funk is disoriented and is suffering from dementia.
"I heard that Terry Funk is in a home for the disabled and dementia." Muraco said. "I know his wife passed away two or three years ago . . . I don't know who he's with or what's going on and Paul Orndorff as well. I saw a disturbing Facebook on him. He was disoriented in dementia"
We hope this isn't true, but it isn't something that a legend like Muraco would lie about. We wish Terry Funk the best.
#2. Hope is true: Backstage reaction in WWE to Jimmy Uso's arrest
WWE star Jimmy Uso has been in hot water again after another arrest for DUI. TMZ reported that the WWE tag team veteran was arrested:
It was unfortunate in itself, but there seems to be disappointment about the fact that Jimmy did it right after his WWE return. Since it's not the first time that it's happened, there might have to be serious repercussions from the company's end.
The fact that Jimmy Uso is in a significant storyline on SmackDown right upon his return makes it an even bigger risk. Despite this, he was featured on SmackDown again and appeared to be on the same page with his brother Jey and Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
According to WrestleVotes, there is a mix of anger and disappointment at Jimmy Uso backstage in WWE:
We hope this is true because it might be a big sign that WWE needs to take action on the matter. If he goes on without facing any repercussions, it's a bad message sent.
#2. Hope isn't true: "Freak accident" that caused Bayley's forced time away from WWE
WWE announced that Bayley would be removed from the SmackDown Women's Championship match at Money in the Bank and a replacement would be made. It was then revealed that she will be out of action for over nine months as a result of an injury.
It's a big shame because she has been one of WWE's MVPs since the pandemic era and throughout the Thunderdome era. Until October 2020, she was dominating the SmackDown Women's division and held the Women's Championship for over a year. She made history in the process but was unfortunate not to get a spot on the WrestleMania 37 card.
She was scheduled to face Bianca Belair at Money in the Bank, but the match has been scrapped. Authority figure Sonya Deville revealed on SmackDown that the title match would be advanced to two days before the Money in the Bank pay-per-view and that Carmella would be Bayley's replacement.
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the injury happened during the training of the "return to the road" sessions at the WWE Performance Center:
We hope this isn't true, but for once, it's certain that it is. Unless WWE is using it as a part of the storyline, it most certainly is true.
#1. Hope is true: Why Aleister Black was able to go to AEW one month after his WWE release
Aleister Black was released from WWE one month ago and joined All Elite Wrestling on the July 7th episode of Dynamite. Usually, WWE Superstars have a non-compete clause of 90 days when they get released from the company.
In Black's case, there was an exception. Rather than sitting around, he jumped ship to AEW, where he now goes by the name Malakai Black. According to Dave Meltzer of WON, Aleister Black only had a 30-day non-compete clause.
Sportskeeda's Abhilash Mendhe wrote:
[Dave] Meltzer stated that Aleister Black was bound by a 30-day non-compete clause rather than the usual 90-day clause that most wrestlers need to adhere to. As a result, the former WWE Superstar was able to make his debut on AEW programming on Wednesday.
PWInsider further reported that it was a major blunder on WWE's part as they "forgot" to update his non-compete clause:
We hope this is true because WWE should do away with the 90-day non-compete clause. It restricts superstars after they leave the company and Aleister Black was one of the lucky exceptions in this case.
#1. Hope isn't true: Another delay in Brock Lesnar's WWE return?
Ever since Brock Lesnar's WWE contract expired in late August 2020, there have been numerous rumors about his return. While many hoped that he would return to face Bobby Lashley for the WWE title at WrestleMania 37, that didn't happen.
With crowds returning to WWE, Lesnar's return is inevitable. But according to Andrew Zarian of The Mat Men podcast, the company may not have The Beast Incarnate in their plans for SummerSlam 2021:
“They wanted Brock," said Zarian. "For whatever reason, the plan didn’t work out. I believe it was creative-wise, it just wasn’t fitting. Financially, they want Brock to commit to live shows. They are working it out, it’s gonna happen. It’s not that it’s not gonna happen, it’s gonna happen unless something goes tremendously terrible, which I don’t think it will. I think we’re gonna see Brock, I just don’t think he’s needed for SummerSlam if they have this planned out already.
This means that Brock Lesnar will return and that it's a matter of when and not if. However, SummerSlam would have been the perfect stage to have the dream match against Bobby Lashley. But given that his return to WWE continues to get delayed, it seems less likely by the day.
We hope this isn't true because Lesnar's presence will be a huge boost for the promotion ahead of SummerSlam 2021.
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