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We're back again with another edition of our weekly series in which we note down all the biggest rumors from the world of professional wrestling and WWE that came true.
The biggest of the lot is about the backstage issues between two of the most popular names in WWE. The problems between the veterans are now public knowledge, and many details have been widely discussed amongst the fans.
Two former WWE Superstars also signed a very lucrative contract with another company, something that was reported by Sportskeeda's very own Gary Cassidy a few weeks ago.
A rumored feud for WWE SmackDown also got underway on the Blue brand, and we were first informed about the angle almost a month ago.
A Superstar, who had alluded that he was 'exiled', returned to TV recently and his return was spoiled hours before it happened.
WWE also confirmed the status for SummerSlam, and it is exactly what has been reported for weeks.
So let's take a look at the five rumors that came true this week:
#5. The backstage issues in WWE between AJ Styles and Paul Heyman
The relationship between AJ Styles and Paul Heyman has been widely discussed ever since Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson revealed all the details about their WWE release.
Dave Meltzer had reported weeks ago that the real reason behind AJ Styles' move to SmackDown was due to the backstage heat with Heyman. The Phenomenal One was furious with Heyman during the time Gallows and Anderson were released from WWE.
Here's what Meltzer reported on the Wrestling Observer Forum back in June:
"Actually the reason was that he was furious that Gallows & Anderson were fired. Blamed Heyman. Classic case of JR/JJ/Laurinaitis syndrome. Vince is the one who made the decision but I suppose he felt Heyman could have fought him on it. So he wanted to go to the side where the guy in charge isn't fighting Vince on something like that either."
Gallows and Anderson pretty much confirmed the story about AJ Styles confronting Paul Heyman backstage.
Heyman said that he played no role in the releases of Gallows and Anderson, however, when Styles approached Vince McMahon, the WWE Chairman admitted that Heyman was the one who added their names on the release list.
Here's what Karl Anderson revealed on the Talk'N Shop podcast
AJ went to Paul Heyman and said, 'Did you fire these guys, or did you put the word in to fire them?' And Paul said, 'No, you have my word. If I would have known, then I would have gone to bat for them'.
So, AJ goes in to Vince and he says, 'You've got to tell me the truth, is Paul the one that said to fire these guys?' Vince told AJ, he said, 'Listen, they weren't on my list, but yes, this was a Heyman thing.
AJ Styles continued his verbal tirade against Heyman during a recent stream. The WWE IC Champion said that many people despise Heyman because of all the lies.
"The reason Vince is smart is he can see all his (Heyman's) crap. Vince saw what everybody already knew. He was like, 'you know what man, you've done some great things in the past but you're not well-liked here. Please hit the bricks."
"He (Heyman) has to blame himself because he has slighted a lot of people. This is the business that he has found a way to be successful in. Anyway, it was a lot of trash."
"I talked to a lot of guys about this situation. You wouldn't believe the amount of guys who despise this guy because of his lies. Whenever he screwed up, he'd try to put them under the bus. I have heard this from so many different people. It is hard to find someone who actually likes him. And I didn't know this because I assumed that everyone likes him. I thought only I hated him." (H/T WrestlingInc)
It's safe to say that AJ Styles just can't stand Paul Heyman.
#4. Mustafa Ali returns to WWE RAW from 'exile'
Mustafa Ali had put out a tweet earlier this month in which he seemingly took a shot at WWE for exiling him.
Ali hadn't wrestled a match since an episode of SmackDown in February, and he was naturally frustrated about the same.
The 34-year-old Superstar even vented out his frustrations about not being used on TV in a tweet not too long ago.
Yeah man. It's real nice to be in your prime and wanting to use the exposure you get to bring light to serious topics, but instead forced to the sidelines for reasons beyond your control. Real nice to not be allowed to do what you're passionate about
Mustafa Ali's long wait to get back inside the ring finally ended on the most recent episode of RAW.
PWInsider had reported before the return that Ali was present at the latest RAW tapings and the report pretty much spoiled his comeback.
Ali did end up returning on WWE RAW to team up with Ricochet and Cedric Alexander in a six-man tag team match against The Hurt Business.
There has been a lot of confusion over Ali's status, as the fans were not sure about his designated brand. Ali's return to RAW may also mean a full-time move to the Red brand; however, he is still being listed as a SmackDown Superstar on the WWE website.
#3. The Good Brothers confirm IMPACT Wrestling signing, share details about their lucrative contract following WWE release
Sportskeeda's Gary Cassidy had reported on June 30th that former WWE Superstars, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson's move to IMPACT Wrestling was pretty much a done deal.
Gary also revealed that the deal with IMPACT would allow The Good Brothers to also work with NJPW.
I've been told Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to IMPACT Wrestling IS a done deal. The pair will debut in July, either at Slammiversary or shortly after, in line with the terms of their WWE non-compete clause. The deal allows the former WWE Tag Team Champions to work with NJPW.
The report over the weekend, which came from @ryansatin, also revealed how "TalkNShopAMania" - Gallows and Anderson's video podcast - may start off as a side promotion, which is something I've also been told content has been recorded for.
During the Talk'N Shop podcast live stream, Gallows and Anderson not only confirmed their IMPACT Wrestling signing but also revealed that they would also be working dates for NJPW after signing a 2-year IMPACT contract. It was hinted that they may stand to make more money now, than they used to from their WWE contract and that's a pretty lucrative win for the former WWE stars.
#2. WWE's storyline plans for Matt Riddle
Sportskeeda's Gary Cassidy had also reported on June 27th that Matt Riddle's first lengthy feud on WWE SmackDown was scheduled to be against King Corbin.
Sources have indicated to me that, while the plan is for a Matt Riddle vs Baron Corbin rivalry going forward, Corbin only recently found out about those plans and wasn't too happy with them - insisting that Riddle should have to defeat five enhancement talents before facing him.
Meanwhile, the plan for Matt Riddle's first major opponent outside of NXT to be Baron Corbin has been in place for a while - as illustrated at both Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble. The plans for Riddle to debut on SmackDown and work with Corbin were ramped up back in March.
Sean Ross Sapp had stated in a Fightful Select report that Riddle was set to get a big introduction on his SmackDown debut with an AJ Styles match, and beyond that, the plan was for the King of Bros to feud with King Corbin.
That ended up being true as Riddle has transitioned to an angle with Corbin following his unsuccessful attempt at becoming the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
#1. WWE issues official statement on location change for SummerSlam
WWE issued a statement a couple of days ago confirming that the SummerSlam PPV won't emanate from the TD Garden in Boston, as initially slated.
Here's WWE's official statement:
In coordination with our local partners, government officials and TD Garden, WWE's SummerSlam and related events will no longer take place in Boston. Refunds are available at the original point of purchase. We are grateful to the city of Boston for their longstanding partnership and look forward to holding WWE events at TD Garden in the future. SummerSlam will stream live on Sunday, August 23, at 7 p.m. ET on WWE Network, and information regarding a new location for the event is forthcoming.
PWInsider had reported in the first week of July that WWE had dropped the plan to conduct SummerSlam in Boston and the show was moved to the Performance Center.
WWE's latest statement confirmed the location change and another announcement about SummerSlam happening at the WWE PC should also be on its way sooner rather than later.
SummerSlam is currently scheduled to take place on August 23, and Tom Colohue had added recently that Brock Lesnar wouldn't be performing at the show due to the move to the WWE PC.
"That said, when it comes to working at the Performance Center, they really don't want Brock working there. It really doesn't help the image that he is the larger than life, an larger than WWE character when there is no one there to cheer or boo, and also, one of the big deals that the love with Brock is that he gets both cheered and booed."
