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Today's WWE rumor mill has some important news on NXT and where it may end up to compete with AEW, King of the Ring brackets and the odds favourites, The Undertaker's Scotland dates, and more.
Let's take a look at the rumor roundup for August 17, 2019.
#1 NXT to move to USA Network
In October, WWE's SmackDown Live show will move to Friday nights from Tuesday nights and will air on FOX instead of USA Network in a huge deal between FOX and WWE.
WWE could also be moving another one of their shows, NXT, to Wednesday nights and will air on USA Network instead of the WWE Network, according to PWInsider's Mike Johnson:
"There’s a pitch for the series to be moved to Wednesdays on the USA Network starting this October, with the idea NXT would be graduate into a live two-hour series from Full Sail University in Florida. The idea would be for the series to start in that form on 10/2, which of course is the same date that All Elite Wrestling launches its own weekly series on TNT."
There were reports doing the rounds earlier that NXT could move to FOX Sports 1 as a two-hour show. WWE could be moving NXT to USA Network to compete with AEW's newest show which will launch on October 2, 2019 on TNT.
#2 The Undertaker to Scotland
The Undertaker is going to be in Scotland later this year as he is set to be a part of Comic Con Scotland in October as per Edinburgh Live. The Phenom's last few non-WWE appearances were cancelled in the last minute, which many fans thought was WWE diktat to the legendary WWE figure.
He was previously scheduled to make a few appearances in the UK for Inside The Ropes in three cities - Glasgow, Scotland; Manchester and London in England, but all three of those dates for Q&A sessions were cancelled by The Undertaker.
He also pulled out of Starrcast II, where he was set to be one of the few WWE Superstars to appear on the show, which was a fan convention held on the weekend of AEW's Double or Nothing show.
Undertaker's last match with WWE was at Extreme Rules where he teamed with Roman Reigns to face and defeat the team of Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon.
#2 King of the Ring brackets and dates
WWE's King of the Ring tournament is set to return to WWE television next week and will feature on RAW. WWE announced the 16 competitors to take part in the show last week, and have now revealed the brackets for the tournament.
Cesaro vs. Samoa Joe.
Ricochet vs. Drew McIntyre.
Cedric Alexander vs. Sami Zayn.
The Miz vs. Baron Corbin.
Kevin Owens vs. Elias.
Ali vs. Buddy Murphy.
Chad Gable vs. Shelton Benjamin.
Apollo Crews vs. Andrade.
Also Read: 5 Superstars who could win King of the Ring 2019
PWInsider are reporting that next week's RAW and SmackDown will have the first round of the tournament, while the second round will be held on the 26th and 27th August episode of RAW and SmackDown respectively. The following week will have the semi-finals, and the finals will take place at Clash of Champions on 15 September.
#3 Odds favourites to win King of the Ring
WWELeaks.org have revealed the odds for the winner of King of the Ring, with Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens at the top, with the best odds at 6/4 and 9/2 respectively, followed by Baron Corbin and Ricochet at 6/1, and Samoa Joe at 8/1.
#4 Sheamus future
Former Bar member Sheamus hasn't been on WWE television for a long time, with his last appearance coming at the SmackDown after WrestleMania back in April. He had a concussion in that match and has been on a lengthy break.
In a recent Q&A session with fans in the Philippines (via IBTimes), Sheamus revealed that he is not retired yet but said that he doesn't know what the future holds:
“‘I’m not yet retired.’ I’m just repeating what he said. I just repeated what he said, guys. Sorry. Am I not allowed to do that? Sorry. I’m just — I’m playing around. I don’t know what the story is on my future. I have no idea, I honestly don’t. I just know that through my off, I’d had to channel through my passion. I’ve been watching WWE, you know, following it as much as I can, and just, you know, I miss it. I miss being in the ring, but I’m keeping myself busy.”
His former partner Cesaro is over on RAW and has become a singles Superstar once again following Sheamus' layoff due to injury.
Also Read: WWE News: Sheamus unveils new look and possible new role
#5 Edge return
In E&C's Pod of Awesomeness, Edge revealed that he could return to wrestle a match now, but that WWE's medical staff would not allow him to wrestle.
"I know where I’m at and I’ve seen my neck guys down here and they’ve told me the do’s and don’ts and I’m not in the midst of being told I have to retire, you know? So, I’m much more emotionally aware and hearing everything and going ‘okay, what my limitations are going forward?’ And hitting the Spear is not one of them.
"To be perfectly honest, I think I could do a match tomorrow. I might be blown up but I’d be okay. It’s just from what I know with the WWE medical staff, they won’t allow. It is what it is, right?" (H/T Cageside Seats)
Edge recently appeared at SummerSlam where he speared Elias during a segment on the pre-show.
#6 LAX to WWE?
LAX, a wrestling stable that has been a fixture of TNA/Impact for a long time, said goodbye to the promotion this past week during Impact's tapings in Mexico City.
The stable have been linked with a switch to WWE or AEW, with Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter reporting this past week that LAX have been given offers by both companies. (H/T WrestlingNews.co)
