'%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)
There's no rest for the wicked, or the WWE fan. As we trudge along the road to WrestleMania 34, there were many developments that transpired that could have a bearing on the 'grandest stage of them all', in only a few months!
We've collected some of them, for your reading pleasure in this article. Some news items address the current WWE product, and some others are a trip down memory lane. All of these updates, however, are a delight to read.
Keep us informed about new developments by reaching out to us, reader. We read every single comment you post.
Here are 7 bits of news we found interesting over the past week...one for every day!
#1 Ryback had a lot of praise for The Miz
Ryback is a Superstar who always speaks his mind on his podcast. On a recent episode of 'Conversation with The Big Guy', he had some kind words for a fellow WWE Superstar.
This is what he said about The Miz:
I am personally very happy for Miz. I am going to go out and make a very bold statement. I think for knowing Miz, I believe he is one of the best natural wrestlers of all time. By that I mean that he has never done any performance enhancing drugs; I did them in my early 20's. I haven't done them in forever, but I think Miz is not the best at anything if that makes sense, but he is really consistent—he is great on the mic, but I wouldn't even say he is the best on the microphone, but he is great at doing him.
He went on to say how happy he was for The Miz, considering he was getting his own reality show. He described the A-Lister as 'consistent'.
We couldn't agree more, Big Guy!
#2 Rey Mysterio spoke about his WWE future
The biggest bit of news to come out of the Royal Rumble not named Ronda Rousey, was Rey Mysterio's return. Fans have speculated at length about his status with the company.
Mysterio was recently interviewed by The Mirror. He expressed his confidence about a possible WWE return. This is what he had to say:
I want to say that there is a big possibility that I will be back. (We're) figuring out what the situation is, you know from both ends. But there is definitely a positive feedback on behalf of the fans, on behalf of the WWE staff and behalf of myself man. I think we're possibly going to sit down and negotiate something where we can both work together and have a good time and enjoy.
There are so many prospective matches that Mysterio could have, with the younger generation of superstars. So many of them are indeed actual dream matches. Imagine Mysterio mixing it up with Nakamura or Rollins!
#3 Johnny Wrestling did not like his 5-star match
Royal Rumble weekend began on a great note, with Johnny Gargano taking Andrade 'Cien' Almas to the limit for the NXT Championship. The two men put on a great showcase of tragedy and triumph, as it told the story of the underdog, Johnny Gargano, contesting for the NXT Championship.
The world was in awe of the match. Shockingly, Johnny Gargano did not seem to enjoy the match. This is what he revealed on the Edge and Christian Pod of Awesomeness:
I don't know how to react to that, because I'm like, okay. You know how it is, though. I mean, you guys know how it is. Like, you have great matches, and everyone else loves them, and everyone's going crazy over them. But for you, it's just like, okay. I think I did okay. I think it was fine. Like, I'm my worst critic, and I hate all my matches, but I'm glad I guess some people like it.
Stop being humble, Gargano. It was an awesome match! One that set the bar for in-ring work, across the roster. A match that simply took our breath away.
Take a bow instead, Johnny Wrestling!
#4 Ronda Rousey surprised Shayna Baszler with her appearance
Ronda Rousey's appearance at the Royal Rumble was a well kept secret. So much so, that red herrings were thrown all over the internet with regard to Rousey filming on location, far away from Philadelphia and the pay-per-view.
When she did show up, all of the internet went absolutely bananas. As did the locker room. Even Shayna Baszler did not know that she would be showing up.
This is what Baszler revealed during an exclusive interview:
I was just as surprised as everyone else, she kept that from all of us. Because, in her own words, she wanted us to feel the genuine excitement that the rest of the world felt. We worked hard to get where we’re at – all of us – so to see her genuinely happy and finally getting to soak in that reward is great.
The NXT superstar is, however, confident about Ronda Rousey's future in the company.
I’ve known Ronda for awhile and everything she decides to do she dives head-first one-hundred percent into. So, I have no doubt she’ll be just as dominant in WWE as she’s been at everything else.
We do not doubt that, Shayna. Ronda Rousey is poised to be a big deal indeed, in the months ahead.
Anyway, we move on!
#5 Big stipulation added to SmackDown match
If you read our 'Best and Worst' list following SmackDown Live, you know how critical we were of Ziggler's advertised return. WWE had the chance to book a great story with his departure, but chose to do nothing with it. Instead, he's booked to return and face Baron Corbin in an ordinary contest. Thankfully, Shane McMahon added a stipulation to the match.
The winner of this match gets added to the Fastlane main event. Though it's a small measure of consolation, Ziggler's return could have been so much more. WWE has lost out on a pretty big opportunity!
#6 Kane to miss a month of shows
Heading into WrestleMania 34, the injury bug has bit the roster again. First, it was Samoa Joe. Then, it was Jason Jordan. And now, Kane seems to have joined the list of injured superstars.
Kane was pulled from a whole month of Live Events, following his match at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Thankfully, he is slated to return in March, when he goes up against Brock Lesnar in a Live Event, on the road to WrestleMania.
Looks like the fake injury, where he was buried under a table, covered up a real-life injury!
#7 Rumour killer on Latin American Tournament
There was a rumour flying around about a Latin American tournament. After the success of the Cruiserweight Classic and the Mae Young Classic, the WWE Universe was excited about a brand new showcase of exceptional wrestling.
William Regal shot down these rumours through Twitter. Here's what he had to say:
Now that's quite a bummer. We're certain that if fans make enough noise though, WWE may just listen and make this tournament actually happen.
While you do that, we'll see you again next week for yet another exciting round-up of the hottest news in wrestling today!
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
