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The WWE Rumor Mill was in full force this week. There were tons of rumors ruminating ranging from Shawn Michaels' return to the squared circle to the backstage plans regarding Roman Reigns' challengers for the Universal Championship. Moreover, the rumors were rife surrounding the return of two Hollywood stars, and a deal between Chris Jericho and Impact Wrestling.
While some rumors have a huge possibility of coming true, others are what we call "wishful thinking." Nonetheless, we wish that all of them does come true. Here are 8 WWE rumors that should come true.
#8 Evolution to be an annual pay-per-view
On October 28, 2018 history will be written. WWE would hold its first ever all-women's PPV at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Centre in New York. Try telling this to someone who hasn't watched wrestling since the Attitude Era. We can bet that they would scoff at it.
In the past, WWE thought of women as mere "eye candies" to target the 18-25 male demography. To garner TV ratings, they would indulge them in 'Bra and Panties' matches, dance-off competitions, and what not. However, things have changed drastically since the company went PG and Triple H took control over NXT. The women are now no longer less than the men when it comes to in-ring athleticism and psychology. In fact, they have even outshined them on numerous occasions.
When WWE had announced that Stephanie McMahon would make a huge announcement on Raw, the rumors were rife that it would be the first-ever all women's PPV. And now, it looks like it is not going to be a one-off. On a special edition of BarnBurner Fired Up Podcast, Joe Peiseich said that the PPV is not going to be a one-off. Here is the full transcript via RingsideNews:
“It looks like the Evolution pay-per-view will not be a 1-time only pay-per-view. I hear that they’re going to continue tradition year after year.”
#7 Batista to return back to WWE for WrestleMania 35
Batista is the biggest superstar to transition successfully to Hollywood after Dwayne Johnson. A lot of Hollywood fans would know him as Drax the Destroyer from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a fierce character who shows no mercy towards his adversaries. Well, Batista's character in WWE is similar to that of Drax in many aspects, and rumors are rife that he will be making his return to the WWE.
He was recently interviewed by Adam Clery of Whatculture Wrestling. When asked about his possible return, here is what he said:
"It’s something that I think about daily. I miss it daily. I love it. I have a passion for wrestling. I feel like at the core of me, that’s who I am. I’m a physical performer and I miss it everyday. I think it would have to be the right time. It would have to be the right opponent. But that’s pretty much it, it would just have to make sense. I feel like the last time I went back was with really good intentions and that I wasn’t delivered what I was promised creatively."
One ought to note that Batista has denounced a lot of times Disney's decision to fire writer/director James Gunn. Moreover, they have even taken off Guardians of Galaxy Vol.3 from their 2019 schedule which has freed up the Animal's schedule for the first half of the coming year. If WWE can strike a deal, we may see him back in the ring and perhaps, wrestling at WrestleMania 35.
#6 Rey Mysterio to lead a Mexican stable of Fenix and Pentagon Jr. in WWE
The rumors of Rey Mysterio returning back to WWE keep on ruminating. Going by the recent rumors, the talks are rife that he might not come alone.
On a special news edition of BarnBurner Fired Up Podcast, Joe Peisiech asserted us that he might return sooner than before. Moreover, he would be bringing some Latin American friends alongside him.
He alluded that he could lead a stable comprising of himself, Fenix, and Pentagon Jr. to cross swords with factions like the Shield and Braun Strowman/ Dolph Ziggler/ Drew McIntyre (H/T: Ringsidenews).
#5 The Rock to return in WWE for multiple occasions
Dwayne Johnson aka the Rock is the most electrifying man in whole of sports entertainment. The People' Champ's influence in pro-wrestling has been so profound that the rumors of his return are always welcomed with open arms.
At an episode of BarnBurner's Fired Up Podcast, Joe Peiseich speculated that WWE is trying to bring the Rock for multiple occasions (H/T: Gary Cassidy of Sportskeeda). It includes the 1000th episode of SmackDown, the Royal Rumble on the next year, and WrestleMania 35.
One ought to note that the Rock is the favorite to win the 2019 Royal Rumble. If both the parties can strike a deal, he may win the Royal Rumble and challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at the 'Grandest Stage of Them All.'
#4 Shawn Michaels to be the special Guest referee at Taker vs Triple H at Super ShowDown
The altercation between Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker this week on Raw has given a whole new dimension to the match between the latter and Triple H at the Super ShowDown. Since then, rumors are rife that the Heartbreak Kid would return back to the ring for one more match.
According to Cagesideseats, the local advertising at Melbourne is listing Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee in the match. If Shawn Michaels does become the special guest referee, he should play a huge role in deciding the outcome of the match. Moreover, it could also set things in motion for his eventual return to the ring.
#3 Chris Jericho to show up at Bound for Glory
After his surprise appearance at ALL IN, it is safe to say that Chris Jericho is the most unpredictable wrestler in the independent circuit right now. The man can literally show up anywhere given the fame he has. And, going by the latest buzz, he might show up at Impact's annual pay-per-view Bound for Glory.
In the recent installment of Barnburner's Fired Up Podcast, Joe Peiseich speculated that Chris Jericho might show up at Bound for Glory. Here is the full transcript via RingsideNews:
“The main event for Bound For Glory October 14th is Austin Aries vs Johnny Impact (aka John Morrison) whatever you wanna call it. Also I hear don’t be surprised if Chris Jericho shows up at Bound For Glory.”
One ought to note that Jericho Cruise is sailing a few days later which features a lot of matches between wrestlers of Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor. If Jericho shows up at Bound for Glory, it would be an ideal way to promote his show.
#2 Shawn Michaels to have 5 matches after returning
So, let's say that the earlier rumor of Shawn Michaels' return does come to fruition. The next question which immediately follows is who will he be facing.
Joe Peiseich of BarnBurner's Fired Up Podcast speculates that his return will not be a one-off. Rather, he would be competing in the ring five different times. Here is the transcript (H/T: Gary Cassidy of Sportskeeda):
I've heard there are ideas for him to wrestle up to five matches, but not with the Undertaker. One with The Undertaker, one with AJ Styles, one with somebody in NXT - most likely Johnny Gargano - and now I've heard from a source that there's talk of him facing off against Kevin Owens.
Shawn Michaels vs. AJ Styles, Shawn Michaels vs. Johnny Gargano, Shawn Michaels vs. Kevin Owens, and Shawn Michaels vs. the Undertaker- all of them could be five-star classics if played out perfectly. As far as the fifth opponent is concerned, we have no clue whatsoever.
#1 Drew McIntyre to be the next challenger for Roman Reigns
Christmas came late at the summer for Roman Reigns and his fans as he finally defeated Brock Lesnar to become the new Universal Champion. It is too early for us to judge whether his title run would be a success or not, but it looks like he will hold onto the title for a long time.
After Roman Reigns successfully defends his title against Braun Strowman at Hell In A Cell, Drew McIntyre could be the next in line. That is the backstage plan as per Joe Peisich of Barnburner's Fired Up Podcast. Here is the transcript via RingsideNews:
“I expect Roman Reigns to have a long run [as Universal Champion]. Roman Reigns I don’t want to say defeated [Strowman] but he keeps the title. His next opponent will be Drew McIntyre. Also after that I’ve heard there’s going to be a mini-run between Roman Reigns and Dolph Ziggler and also I have heard rumors that Finn Balor might be thrown in for a couple matches also.”
