'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Welcome to this week's edition of WWE/wrestling rumors we hope are true, and those we hope aren't. As always, a WWE pay-per-view means that we delay the edition by a day. But it's got some of the most interesting scoops of the week in the world of WWE, so let's begin:
#4. Hope is true: Vince McMahon's perception of a popular WWE star
Vince McMahon's perception of a WWE Superstar is everything when it comes to their standing in the company. Mick Foley once famously said that to get pushed by Vince McMahon, the boss has to be a big fan.
In this case, we're talking about a WWE star who has been slightly controversial backstage - [Matt] Riddle. However, he has a solid position on RAW and, as of this writing, is expected to be in a United States Championship feud with Bobby Lashley.
That isn't a bad position to be in by any means, and according to Dave Meltzer on The Wrestling Observer Radio, Vince McMahon "really likes" Riddle. However, there's a catch.
Sportskeeda's Vatsal Rathod wrote:
In the recent Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that Vince McMahon "really likes" Matt Riddle. The WWE Chairman apparently thinks Riddle is "very funny in his own weird way". Meltzer, interestingly, also added that even though Vince McMahon likes Matt Riddle, he doesn't understand his gimmick and the entire "Bro" thing. Sadly, Vince McMahon just considers Riddle worthy of regular TV time, but doesn't see him as a main-event Superstar.
We hope the part about Vince McMahon liking Riddle is true. While he may not see him as main event material, there are two possibilities. First, Riddle could end up being an upper mid-carder and have a good but consistent role on WWE TV.
The other is that Vince McMahon changes his perception of Riddle. It isn't uncommon in WWE for Superstars to get pushed despite Vince McMahon not perceiving them as main event material. A good, solid feud and the right timing can lead to something big.
#4. Hope isn't true: WWE pulled Lars Sullivan from SmackDown because of Roman Reigns?
Lars Sullivan returned to WWE this past October after 16 months away. However, he has quietly stopped appearing on SmackDown despite being poised for an important role.
According to Dave Meltzer, Lars Sullivan's absence on SmackDown has been due to WWE not wanting another top heel on the brand with Roman Reigns' presence. Sportskeeda's Vatsal Rathod wrote:
In a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that the reason for the absence of Lars Sullivan from SmackDown is that since the Universal Champion Roman Reigns is the top heel of the brand, WWE doesn't want 'another top heel they don't want to beat on the same brand.'
We hope this isn't true because it doesn't make much sense. Lars Sullivan and Roman Reigns don't need to cross paths, and WWE just needs to build The Freak on the side while continuing to give Roman Reigns his main event push. When the time comes, they can be separated by brands. But it's not unheard of in WWE to have more than one top heel.
#3. Hope is true: The mentality behind Vince McMahon sending Keith Lee and co to the WWE PC
The decision to send Keith Lee back to the WWE Performance Center was met with a lot of surprise - from fans and reportedly backstage as well. Keith Lee and Otis were among the two names in a list of "big men" that Vince McMahon sent back to the Performance Center.
With Keith Lee, it was surprising since he is generally acknowledged as a seasoned veteran. However, Dave Meltzer revealed on the Wrestling Observer Radio that there is a more positive perspective to it:
On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that the decision to send these Superstars to the Performance Center to improve their skills is not a demotion. Vince McMahon wants to get them ready for potential pushes in the future. As per Meltzer, Vince McMahon was angry as he thought none of these Superstars knew how to work.
Apart from the bit where he thought none of the listed WWE Superstars knew how to work, we hope this is true because it means that Keith Lee's potential has been recognized and that he could be set for a big push.
#3. Hope isn't true: Employees in WWE could be at risk of losing their jobs due to the low RAW rating
The record-low RAW rating last week of 1.5 million reportedly caused a major stir backstage. RAW had never reached such a low number in 27 years, but backstage in WWE, people are walking on eggshells.
As per Dave Meltzer on the Wrestling Observer Radio, the low RAW rating caused a major stir backstage in WWE and some are at risk of losing their jobs. Sportskeeda's Lennard Surrao wrote:
People backstage are reportedly walking on eggshells due to the record-low numbers. There is also talk that a few Royal Rumble plans that were in the discussion phase could be changed or nixed. It was additionally reported that if the viewership and ratings don't improve, then we could expect to see a few people get fired from the creative department of the WWE.
We hope this isn't true because the backstage morale in WWE will take a dip if jobs are at risk.
#2. Hope is true: USA Network unhappy with WWE over RAW rating
Back to the record-low RAW rating. The pressure within WWE is coming from higher up as well. RAW has been a key program for the USA Network, but it appears as though they're losing patience about the declining rating.
The 1.5 million ratings reportedly led to WWE officials finally "getting the message," and action has to be taken. A part of it is the pressure from high up. According to talkSPORT, USA Network is unhappy with the RAW rating and wants WWE to push out more dark and violent content:
A source from WWE told Alex McCarthy that USA Network is very unhappy with the numbers. The source added that the Network officials want WWE to have more adult content. To clarify, not 'sexy adult' but 'dark and violent' content.
We hope this is true because external pressure will force WWE to put more of an effort for a better product. The lack of crowds can only be used as an excuse for so long.
#2. Hope isn't true: WWE's (lack of) plans for RETRIBUTION
Potential in WWE has been quickly squandered on many occasions, and one example of that is the handling of RETRIBUTION. While the faction's potential was quickly recognized, it was squandered even quicker, especially when WWE revealed Mustafa Ali to be the leader of the faction.
The storyline they've been involved in has seen wins and losses against Ricochet, while Dana Brooke has repeatedly gotten the better of Reckoning/Mia Yim. "Failure isn't an option," Mustafa Ali says, as they continue to fail every week.
According to PWInsider, RETRIBUTION attempting to recruit Ricochet will continue to play out in the coming weeks:
Retribution pushing Ricochet to join their group is something that will continue to play out in the weeks ahead.
We hope this isn't true because it's a boring storyline to drag on and benefits no Superstar. Unless a miracle happens, RETRIBUTION could be at risk of losing their spot quickly. Ricochet won't benefit from it in any way either, and he could be progressing with a more interesting storyline.
#1. Hope is true: The backstage figure in WWE who is writing Roman Reigns' promo
Roman Reigns has had a major career rejuvenation after returning to WWE in the second half of 2020. He took a much-needed hiatus from WWE and returned with a new heel character - something that fans had been wanting for a long time.
In his run so far, he has taken down Jey Uso, defeated WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, and has now overcome Kevin Owens at TLC 2020. However, one name that hasn't been credited with as much of his success is Paul Heyman.
It was his alliance with Paul Heyman before Payback 2020 that caused a stir, and it has had an impact on-screen. Per PWInsider, Paul Heyman is the man who is writing most of Roman Reigns' promos.
We hope this is true because it's good to see Paul Heyman working directly with Roman Reigns - both on-screen and behind-the-scenes in WWE. It will only serve to elevate Roman Reigns in the long run, and his star power in WWE will continue to grow.
#1. Hope isn't true: Vince McMahon wants more "big" WWE Superstars on top
We'll conclude this edition with a tie-up of the low rating issue, as well as Vince McMahon sending some of the big men back to the WWE Performance Center. The reported concern was that he doesn't have enough "big guys" who can work at a high level, which is why he sent them back to train at the WWE Performance Center.
However, Dave Meltzer stated on the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Vince McMahon is blaming smaller guys on top again and wants more big men:
“Part of it is Vince wants more monsters in the ring, as historically whenever WWE business is bad, Vince blames smaller guys on top, but right now, his thought process is he doesn’t have big guys who can work at that level.”
We hope this isn't true because it's an excuse to find a scapegoat. To add to it, Monday Night RAW's face is Drew McIntyre, who happens to be 6'5 and 265 lbs - not exactly a small guy. Even then, it would be unfair to blame him.
