4 Wrestling rumors we hope are true and 4 we hope aren't: WWE planning to book canceled WrestleMania 36 match, Unwanted stipulation match happening at Royal Rumble 2021?

Welcome to this week's edition of wrestling/WWE rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't. It's the first edition of 2021, and we're on the road to the Royal Rumble. Let's jump right into the rumors of the week

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#4. Hope is true: WWE has two options for Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 37

What could be in store for Roman Reigns?

The entire status of crowds attending WrestleMania 37 seems to be uncertain, especially with COVID-19 worsening in the United States of America. As a result, we could see WrestleMania 37 take place behind closed doors for the second year in a row.

While that's not an ideal situation for WWE, it's one that they are preparing for as well. Roman Reigns missed his first WrestleMania last year since debuting in WWE in late 2012, and his absence was felt for a full quarter of 2020.

This year, however, things seem to be different for him, and he is expected to walk into WrestleMania 37 as the WWE Universal Champion. According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Daniel Bryan was originally supposed to be Roman Reigns' opponent for the 2021 Royal Rumble, but his entry into the Rumble match means that things could have changed:

Bryan announcing himself for the Rumble is notable only because at one point Reigns vs. Bryan was considered for the Rumble show. Smackdown being so low on main event babyfaces is an issue and Bryan beating Uso on Smackdown would seem to indicate being groomed for Reigns

To add to it, it was noted on WON that Daniel Bryan and Goldberg are the two options for Roman Reigns at WWE WrestleMania 37:

Right now it would look like Bryan and Goldberg would be the top contenders for the Reigns match at Mania. Bryan gives you the better match and Goldberg gives him the more mainstream interest which is kind of sad when you bring in a guy whose prime year would be 23 years earlier instead of having a series of challenges ready that people should care about more because of being current.

This is a mixed one for us. We hope the part about Daniel Bryan being an opponent is true, while we're admittedly not so big on the idea of rebooking Roman Reigns vs. Goldberg.

We imagine that if the crowds don't return, Goldberg is an unlikely candidate.

#4. Hope isn't true: WWE planning a stipulation match for Royal Rumble 2021

What will happen to Randy Orton and The Fiend?

It's clear that despite the ending to WWE TLC 2020, 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt isn't going to be out for long. Randy Orton set The Fiend on fire to end TLC, but he got directly involved with Alexa Bliss afterward.

It seems clear that they're set for a match at the Royal Rumble 2021, and Dave Meltzer on the latest WON revealed that WWE is planning a Firefly Fun House match for the first pay-per-view of 2021.

Sportskeeda's Vatsal Rathod wrote:

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is reportedly planning Randy Orton vs "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt at Royal Rumble 2021 in a Firefly Funhouse match. If that does happen, it would become the second-ever Firefly Funhouse match in history after the one between John Cena and Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 36.

We hope this isn't true because it's an unwanted stipulation match that likely won't deliver. While the Firefly Inferno match certainly did, this is entirely different. We must admit, however, that the Firefly Fun House match with John Cena at WrestleMania 36 was fun and unique.

#3. Hope is true: Backstage news on Eva Marie's WWE return

Eva Marie

Eva Marie's return to WWE after over four years has gotten some buzz, but not as much as it should. After a long time away from WWE, she has re-signed with the company, and there have been various reports about WWE's plan for her re-debut.

According to a report from Fightful Select, Eva Marie was scheduled to be a part of the RAW Legends Night, but that still isn't set in stone. It was noted, however, that she was seen backstage filming promos.

Sportskeeda's Lennard Surrao wrote:

The report stated that at one point, Eva Marie was scheduled to be a part of RAW's Legend's Night episode. The story went on to confirm that Eva Marie was backstage on the December 14th episode of RAW. Eva Marie was reportedly spotted dressed up for a big reason, which was to film promos. The report concluded by stating that Eva Marie was brought back to WWE during the fall.

We hope this is true because she is a big name to get back to the women's division. Despite not being the most talented in-ring worker, she got a lot of buzz and attention and was doing well up until her suspension in 2016.

#3. Hope isn't true: Backstage rumor on former WWE star Brodie Lee (Luke Harper) being in the ICU

The exalted one

Brodie Lee's passing took the wrestling world by storm. Superstars from WWE, AEW, IMPACT Wrestling, and everywhere else started pouring out tributes to the late, great star.

AEW's tribute show to Brodie Lee was even acknowledged by several WWE Superstars - something that normally wouldn't be allowed. The case of Brodie Lee (fka Luke Harper in WWE) was one of the saddest days in the wrestling world in the last decade.

Bryan Alvarez discussed the situation and stated that WWE's Luke Harper/AEW's Brodie Lee was in an ICU two months ago:

“About two months ago, I was told by somebody that Brodie was in the ICU and this was from somebody that had heard it from somebody else and neither of us could find anybody else who confirm this. I was concerned and for the last two months, me and this other person were basically asking each other if we had heard anything and neither had.”

Alvarez then revealed that he had an idea that something was wrong:

“Then a week and a half ago or whatever, I heard that his son had done the angle where he had beaten Kenny Omega. When I heard that, obviously my first thought was Brodie had to be there, he had to be there…then I asked and nobody who I asked answered if Brodie had been there or not. When nobody answered if he’d been there or not, I was thinking dude, I don’t think he was there. When I heard about the angle, I was like, I don’t think this is good.”

We hope this isn't true, but it likely is. With that said, we don't wish to pry any further into the matter and wish nothing but the best for Brodie Lee's family.

#2. Hope is true: Riddle's new contract situation with WWE

Riddle

Riddle's situation in WWE is interesting. There were a lot of rumors about backstage heat he received over previously calling out legends such as Goldberg and Brock Lesnar.

While it didn't sit too well with some, his main roster run in WWE hasn't been a disappointment so far. He's a regular on WWE TV and seems to be finding his footing on RAW.

According to a report from Fightful Select, Riddle wasn't interested in signing a new WWE contract at first, but he recently put the ink to paper.

Sportskeeda's Lennard Surrao wrote:

Fightful verified the previously revealed details of Matt Riddle's contract. It was added that Matt Riddle wasn't too interested in renewing his contract after an initial offer was made. WWE changed the terms of the deal, and the belief was that Matt Riddle would put ink to paper by the end of 2020. As per sources close to the situation, Matt Riddle signed the agreement last week

We hope this is true because Riddle will continue to prove to be a valuable asset to WWE. He has everything it takes to be a main event star.

#2. Hope isn't true: Why Hulk Hogan never passed the torch in WWE

Hulk Hogan

A lot has been said about Hulk Hogan over the years. He was considered the first face of WWE, primarily starting from the era they were regularly airing on national television.

He took the WWE to new heights, and there was one occasion in 1990 where he seemingly passed the torch to The Ultimate Warrior, but just a year later, he was back in the same position as the WWE Champion and face of the company.

When asked about why there was never a passing of the torch moment in an interview with WWE UK, Hulk Hogan said:

"I think it's [passing the torch] the most important thing in this business, to maintain the artform, and to make sure that the next generation, the next decade of wrestlers, is ready. There was a time I was red hot in the 80s and all of a sudden the '90s came and it was time to pass the torch but, it didn't happen that way. I mean they didn't have enough guys ready to lead at that time so, you know, we skipped a generation."

He added that none of the guys were ready the same way 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, The Rock, or even John Cena were. He also emphasized the importance of doing it the right way.

We hope this isn't true, because Hulk Hogan would have had a clear opportunity to do so in 1993 with Bret Hart. Despite talks of a 'passing of the torch' match at SummerSlam, Hulk Hogan chose to drop the WWE title to Yokozuna beforehand and leave the company.

#1. Hope is true: Several WWE Superstars are rejecting new contract offers

Superstars of RAW

WWE isn't in as strong a position with negotiating contracts as they were. While the COVID-19 pandemic is one aspect, the deals have simply not lived up to the expectations of many WWE Superstars.

According to a report from Fightful Select, a lot of WWE Superstars have rejected new contract offers, and are waiting for the situation to improve:

It has been revealed that many mid-2020 contract offers were labeled 'disappointing' when compared to the offers made in 2019. The new contract offers have not met the standards of 2019, nor have they met the Superstars' expectations. The report stated that at 'least half a dozen' talent 'shuffled their feet' or outrightly passed on the new deals that were offered.

We hope this is true because it represents a major shift in power. While the pandemic means that there's no guarantee that IMPACT Wrestling or AEW will sign them, it's still good to have leverage. The more power talent has over WWE, the more their contracts can continue to improve.

#1. Hope isn't true: Former WWE Superstar Erick Rowan's AEW situation

Rowan

Erick Rowan made a touching appearance in the latest episode of AEW Dynamite. As you may know, the episode of Dynamite was a tribute to Brodie Lee (fka Luke Harper in WWE).

In the show, the former WWE Superstar made a surprise appearance to help Jon Silver, Alex Reynolds, and Adam 'Hangman' Page defeat the team of MJF, Ortiz, and Santana.

The former WWE Superstar Erick Rowan helped them against Wardlow as well, and after the match, he had a touching tribute for his fallen brother:

pic.twitter.com/aaVrLdD19t

— Joseph Ruud (@ErickRedBeard) January 1, 2021

According to Dave Meltzer, while there's a possibility of Rowan getting signed by AEW, it's unlikely at the moment.

Dave Meltzer’s report clarified that it is possible that Erick Rowan could sign with AEW one day. However, as of the time of writing, he is not with the company.

We hope this isn't true. He doesn't need to be signed to be Brodie Lee's replacement as The Exalted One, but he could be a solid babyface for the company.