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Welcome to this week's edition of wrestling rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't! It's been a crazy week in the world of wrestling and as of this writing, the week concluded with AEW Revolution - a fantastic PPV as expected.
WWE caused a stir with the decision in Crown Jewel to put the Universal Championship on Goldberg and there's an unexpected name working with the upcoming storyline.
Let's cut to the chase and jump right into the week's rumors!
#6. Hope is true: Vince McMahon 'determined' to make a top RAW star World Champion
Vince McMahon has big plans for WrestleMania 36. As you know by now, the event will be headlined by Brock Lesnar vs Drew McIntyre - the 2020 Royal Rumble winner. The idea is a coronation for the Scotsman - something that is long overdue.
The best part of the story is how it dates to a decade back when Vince McMahon introduced Drew McIntyre as a future World Champion and he was the "Chosen One". As it turns out, the boss hasn't forgotten it either and is 'determined' to make McIntyre the World Champion.
Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue told Korey Gunz about how McIntyre was 'always' going to be an immense success:
I know that Vince McMahon is still determined to make Drew McIntyre a world champion because a long, long time ago, Vince McMahon said this is a future world champion and Vince McMahon is still determined to prove himself right. Drew McIntyre, when he came back, was always going to be an immense success.
We hope this is true because it's one of the parts of WrestleMania 36 that has seemingly received no criticism or controversy. Based on the way things sound, McIntyre will have his long-overdue coronation - almost 11 years after it was first predicted.
#6. Hope isn't true: WWE unable to get megastar Ronda Rousey for WrestleMania 36
Ronda Rousey had a run in WWE for just over a year, but her presence impacted the women's division to the point where they headlined Royal Rumble (2018,) got an exclusive PPV (Evolution 2018), and main evented WrestleMania (35) for the first time in the company's history.
Dave Meltzer revealed on WOL that WWE was unable to get the Rowdy former RAW Women's Champion for WrestleMania 35.
I think that, again, I can't read Ronda's mind, especially now. And Ronda, from what I understand, she's really happy. Look, you don't think they wanted her for this show? So the fact that she's not says something. But, it's just hard for me to believe that she won't be on the LA show.
We hope this isn't true, but given the way things are playing out, WrestleMania will go ahead without her. It's unfortunate, but if she's happy where she is now then there's nothing more important.
#5. Hope is true: The "glitch" on SmackDown
There have been a few moments these past two weeks where certain "glitches" appeared in the middle of a segment on SmackDown. These were intentional and we'll likely continue seeing these. It's no coincidence, according to the
Wrestling Observer Radio(via Cageside Seats) because this is reportedly set to be the tease for the debut of former Impact Wrestling star Killer Kross:
Killer Kross was signed for “something big” and not just your typical NXT debut, per Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio.
There’s speculation the “glitches” happening on SmackDown and the teasers featuring clocks which started on last night’s NXT could be for Kross.
We hope this is true because not everyone needs to go through NXT anymore. The entire process of drafting and "call-ups" has changed and the NXT roster is stacked enough where it doesn't need a star like Kross.
He's "WWE ready" and has been for a while. If the rumors are true and something big is planned for him, then it's going to be an exciting move for SmackDown.
#5. Hope isn't true: Vince McMahon and the Wellness Policy Violations
Cagesideseats via WON stated that Vince McMahon is one of the few who knows about Wellness Policy Violations and even waits before suspending superstars, which could be where he makes his punishments as well.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed WWE Wellness suspensions. Vince McMahon is one of the only people who knows about them before the public announcement. He will “will do whatever Vince does”, including waiting months between the failed test and the suspension.
We hope this isn't true because there needs to be a more straightforward and transparent system with regards to the WWE Wellness Policy. While having a program for it is the right step, WWE using it and suspending superstars when they please sets a bad standard. As for whether Samoa Joe could be punished, there's no news on that just yet.
Either way, there's no certainty that he'll be on the WrestleMania 36 card, to begin with as he isn't in a major role right now.
#4. Hope is true: Matt Hardy offered an unexpected role
Matt Hardy's contract expires in early March and he hasn't made it a secret with the AEW teases. However, Mike Johnson on PWInsider Elite said that there's a chance he may stay:
“By the way, we have had a lot of questions about Matt Hardy. His contract is scheduled to be up on March 1st which is this Sunday. A lot of people have asked me what he’s going to be doing, this is just my theory. I know that WWE has made a lot of overtures to him in the last could of weeks. There’s been some talk of him working in the NXT system somehow. My gut feeling is that Matt Hardy will probably stay.”
We hope this is true because Hardy would be hugely beneficial to NXT by helping the younger superstars grow. Whether he wants to take that option or not is yet to be determined, but he has a couple of great options for his future.
#4. Hope isn't true: Tricky message sent by WWE to superstars refusing to travel to Saudi Arabia
WWE's ten-year deal in Saudi Arabia means that they go for two major shows annually. Due to religious identity, sensitive issues and more, quite a few superstars refuse to go to Saudi Arabia or they simply can't (for example, Sami Zayn and Aleister Black).
Tom Colohue told Korey Gunz on Dropkick DiSKussions that WWE's message to superstars not traveling to Saudi Arabia is a tricky one:
What they say to the talent and what has been quoted to me is they say, ‘look, if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to go. It’s up to you.’ That’s what they are saying, sounds very magnanimous and really in many ways it is, but there will be reactions to that. There will be consequence even if they are not, shall we say, direct or intentional sometimes. There is always a consequence of some action. So it’s a tricky one. It’s a difficult position to put yourself in especially if you do it voluntarily but people have made that choice and I give them all the credit in the world to stand by what they believe in.
We hope this isn't true because no "punishments" have been given out that we know of so far. Hopefully, it stays that way without consequences.
#3. Hope is true: Daniel Bryan pushing to get superstars on TV
Daniel Bryan hasn't been in any significant storyline since the Royal Rumble 2020 and it doesn't appear that there are big plans for him at WrestleMania 36 either. In the meantime, he's been having small matches against the likes of Heath Slater and Curtis Axel, with Drew Gulak slightly involved as well.
WrestlingNews.co revealed that Bryan has been pushing backstage to get his underutilized friends on TV and to give them screentime:
I am told that this is Daniel Bryan’s idea and the reason why Gulak and Slater have been appearing on SmackDown lately is that Bryan suggested for them to be used in a storyline with him since he is friends with them and knows that they are underutilized.
Bryan reportedly has a strong influence backstage:
Sometimes Vince [McMahon] and Bruce [Prichard] will turn down an idea but a lot of the things he has pitched have been used on TV.
We hope this is true because it's a selfless gesture that says a lot about Bryan backstage.
#3. Hope isn't true: WWE withholds important information on Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe hasn't had the best luck in 2020. He had a concussion and was out for a short while before making an unexpectedly rapid return. However, he would suffer another concussion in short order - this time, while filming a commercial for WWE.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reported that WWE knew about his Wellness Policy Violation but had withheld this important piece of information to the people who write storylines every day- creative.
Sportskeeda's Nishant Jayaram wrote:
WWE's creative team only found out about Joe's suspension when it was announced on WWE's official website. It seems that a few people backstage knew of Joe's suspension but WWE withheld that information before revealing it this past week. WWE personnel had reportedly said a few weeks ago that Joe was not suspended, but it seems like they did not know rather than them not telling the truth.
We hope this isn't true because it seems like an inconvenient and highly-avoidable process had they been made aware of the situation earlier.
#2. Hope is true: A big stipulation for Edge vs Randy Orton?
Randy Orton is set to have his most exciting WrestleMania match in years. Based on the incident of the night after Royal Rumble 2020 - The Rated-R Superstar Edge appears to be his opponent at the show of shows.
The brutal beatdown ensured that the two legends will cross paths again after nearly a decade and a half and according to WON (via Cagesideseats), the match could get a big boost with a huge stipulation:
The current plan is to have stipulations added to the Edge vs. Randy Orton match when it’s announced, says the Observer.
We hope this is true because it's exactly what the match needs. We imagine a "No Holds Barred" stipulation would suit the contest and it would allow for a great psychological in-ring masterpiece.
Batista vs Triple H at WrestleMania 35 was an incredibly underrated match-up that was overlooked because of a burned-out crowd (we blame the length of WrestleMania). This has the potential to be great.
#2. Hope isn't true: Reason why Rusev was removed from WWE Super ShowDown
Rusev was supposed to be in WWE Super ShowDown. However, he was pulled out and PWInsider explained why he was out and it may also be the reason why his storyline with Bobby Lashley and Lana ended abruptly:
WWE star Rusev was not at tonight's Raw in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is no longer scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia for this Thursday's WWE Super Showdown in Riyadh. The word making the rounds is that Rusev is citing a back issue, leading to his replacement
It's a bit disappointing that they invested months into a storyline where Rusev got over despite the booking and it was simply canceled abruptly. Either way, we would never wish an injury upon anyone and we hope that this rumor isn't true.
However, in all likeliness, it will be true since almost every superstar is believed to wrestle with niggling injuries. In Rusev's case, it's best if he sits it out for a while and recovers before coming back into the fray.
#1. Hope is true: An interesting name is involved in the Roman Reigns-Goldberg feud
The Super ShowDown 2020 main event caused quite a stir when Goldberg defeated 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt to capture the Universal Championship. After building Wyatt for nearly a year, the general argument was that WWE tore it all down and cut the legs from underneath Wyatt once again - which is history repeating itself from 3 years ago.
It's certainly not an unfair argument but what's done is done. The reported original plan was for Roman Reigns to challenge 'The Fiend' for the Universal title at WrestleMania, but Goldberg and John Cena's involvement meant that they swapped the plan and booked Reigns against Goldberg.
WrestleVotes reported that even though this is a SmackDown match, RAW Executive Director Paul Heyman will have a direct influence on the storyline since he shares a good relationship with both men.
We hope this is true because Heyman knows how to bring the best out of superstars. Although we still believe the feud doesn't need a title, it's certainly a WrestleMania-worthy match-up.
#1. Hope isn't true: Lars Sullivan's possible future
Lars Sullivan is expected to return from his injury soon, but things aren't looking so certain for him in the immediate future.
Sportskeeda's Lennard Surrao wrote (via Wrestling Observer Newsletter):
Meltzer stated that there is no hint with regards to how his adult film past - which happened before he signed with the company - will influence his future and whether Vince McMahon will bring him back and give him a push. There was no backstage reaction from the WWE management to the revelation and the company just let the story wither away as time passed
Meltzer said:
Another name who should be ready but whose future is uncertain is Lars Sullivan. Sullivan underwent knee reconstruction surgery in June, so should be ready fairly soon. His name hasn’t been mentioned at all of late.
We hope this isn't true because Sullivan had to undergo a great deal of anxiety when returning. Moreover, Titus O' Neil praised him on Twitter for approaching him backstage, acknowledging his past and his genuine attempt to become a better human being.
He still has a lot of potential and it would be a shame if it all went to waste.
