'%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)
WrestleMania 36, the first-ever two-day WrestleMania PPV, is just hours away, and fans can expect two days of exciting action from the Performance Center. The show, which was supposed to be just held on one day, April 5, was then changed into a two-day event by WWE.
There are several fantastic matches in store for WWE fans at WrestleMania 36, and all of them have already been pre-taped by WWE. WWE's production quality over the last few SmackDown and RAW shows has improved tremendously, and some segments have had a cinematic feeling to it.
WWE could have a few surprises in store for fans at WrestleMania 36. Let's take a look at the last-minute rumors that are making the rounds ahead of WrestleMania 36.
#5 Who is behind Austin Theory's push
NXT"s Austin Theory made his main roster debut recently, called up to RAW to replace the injured Andrade. Andrade, the current United States Champion, was set to team with Angel Garza to face The Street Profits, the current RAW tag team champions.
The injury to Andrade meant that Theory was thrown into the tag team title match at WrestleMania 36. As per Wrestling Observer Newsletter, RAW Executive Director Paul Heyman was the one who chose Theory to be moved to the main roster.
Theory has been in WWE for just seven months, having joined the promotion in August 2019 and been a part of NXT since. Heyman has pushed several RAW Superstars in recent months, which includes the other three Superstars involved in the RAW Tag Team match - Angel Garza, Angelo Dawkins, and Montez Ford.
The likes of Andrade and Murphy, who were in a feud with The Street Profits, have also been pushed by the RAW Executive Director over the last few months. The Street Profits won the RAW Tag Team titles last month, defeating Murphy and Seth Rollins on the March 2nd episode of RAW.
#4 When "off-location" and men's world title matches will take place
The coronavirus pandemic has forced WWE to move to the Performance Center, as well as other locations, which WWE haven't specified yet. But, two matches have reportedly not been shot at the Performance Center.
The Boneyard match between AJ Styles and The Undertaker, as well as the Firefly Funhouse match between John Cena and The Fiend, have not taken place in the Performance Center. WrestleVotes has reported that the two matches will be on separate days, although WWE have not revealed which dates each of those matches will take place.
The tweet further stated that the two men's world title matches, where Brock Lesnar will defend his WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre, and Goldberg will put his Universal title on the line against Braun Strowman, will happen on different days.
With WWE not needing to have matches in front of an audience, we could see better production levels and a cinematic experience from matches that take place "off-site".
#3 WWE policy that could result in their sacking ahead of WrestleMania 36
WWE have had to pre-tape all their WrestleMania 36 matches due to the fear that legislations may cause them to stop taping shows in the Performance Center. The coronavirus pandemic is at an alarming stage in the United States presently, which could result in local authorities putting a halt to WWE shows.
One worry for the WWE, as well as most fans, was the possibility of spoilers getting leaked. Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated has revealed that those that leak information from inside WWE could be fired from the company. Here's what his report stated:
"Leaking information is a fireable offense, Sports Illustrated has learned. Along with McMahon, Kevin Dunn, Paul Heyman and Bruce Prichard, there are only a finite number of people present for each filming session. The majority of the agents are not present for the matches. The agents that are local to Florida include Adam Pearce, “Road Dogg” Jesse James, Jamie Noble, and Shawn Michaels—and they are the unlikeliest of candidates to leak match results. Lead broadcaster Michael Cole gets no benefit from leaking results, nor do any of the other members of the broadcast team.
WWE reportedly have just essential people for their tapings, which has probably resulted in not much information leaking out from the pre-taped matches.
#2 Possible SmackDown match changed
This week's SmackDown, which took place a day before WrestleMania 36, had an interesting revelation. There was a new twist in the tale of the Mandy-Otis-Ziggler love triangle, with a mysterious hacker revealing videos that showed that Mandy Rose's friend Sonya Deville was the person responsible for sending that text to Otis during Valentine's Day.
Mandy was miffed at being betrayed by her best friend, and she stormed off. Otis and Dolph Ziggler were to face off in a singles match at WrestleMania 36, but that could have possibly changed, after the events that happened on SmackDown.
WrestleVotes has speculated that there was talk backstage about there being a mixed tag team match at WrestleMania 36. The tweet said that before all the changes that took place in WWE recently, there was to be a match between the team of Heavy Machinery and Mandy Rose against the team of Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, and Sonya Deville. With Roode not in the picture anymore, and Tucker not being the central figure in this storyline, we could very well see a mixed tag team match between the team of Mandy and Otis, and Sonya and Ziggler.
#1 Hulk Hogan's WrestleMania 36 status
There was some speculation that arose recently about the appearance of Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 36. The WWE Hall of Famer kicked off last year's Show of Shows with Alexa Bliss, but may not be present at this year's show.
Wrestling Observer have reported that the rumors are not true as Hogan was not at the tapings last week. But, with WWE pre-taping shows, he could have been added somehow and may have even shot some footage of himself from home.
Hogan showed off a new look during a recent post on social media, where he spoke about his injuries.
The WWE Hall of Famer last appeared on WWE television Crown Jewel, where he was the captain of Team Hogan, which went up against a team headed by Ric Flair in a 10-man tag team match. Hogan is set to be inducted into the 2020 WWE Hall of Fame with the iconic faction New World Order. WWE have scrapped this year's Hall of Fame ceremony and it remains to be seen how this year's class of Hall of Fame inductees get inducted.
Do you love to play crosswords, Wordle or other exciting games? We'd like to connect with you. Fill the form here!
