'%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)
It's WWE Rumor Roundup time! We're back with another edition of our daily series, where we look at the biggest stories being discussed in the world of WWE and pro wrestling.
Goldberg's name is back in the limelight as details about WWE's plans for the former WCW Champion have been revealed.
A popular masked Superstar accidentally unmasked himself recently. A 3-time World Champion is also almost ready to return to in-ring action. WWE is reportedly also planning to change the name of a popular Superstar on SmackDown.
We end today's lineup with backstage details about WWE now considering a Superstar to be a babyface following the last episode of RAW.
#5 WWE's plan for Goldberg
Goldberg appeared on the season premiere of SmackDown as he was shown on one of the LED boards at the WWE ThunderDome during Roman Reigns' Universal title match against Braun Strowman.
It has now been revealed by InsideTheRopes (ITR Wrestling) that Goldberg appeared on SmackDown with the idea that his appearance would help boost the ratings and viewership of the episode. The plan was also to 'put some wheels in motion' for Royal Rumble and WrestleMania season.
It was added that WWE would have ideally used Goldberg for the Saudi Arabia show next month if the company would have gone through with it, and it would have been the former Universal Champion's third match of the year.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the company to pull the plug on the Saudi Arabia PPV, but WWE still has significant plans for Goldberg.
ITR Wrestling was told that irrespective of what the fans think about Goldberg, Vince McMahon is a firm believer in the 53-year-old Superstar's drawing power, and the WWE Chairman is focussed on using the veteran for another few years. Goldberg's WWE contract isn't expiring until early 2022.
It was added that the ideal direction would be to build towards a Roman Reigns vs. Goldberg match, which was the original Universal title showdown scheduled for WrestleMania 36.
Here's an excerpt from ITR Wrestling's report:
We're also told, "Vince McMahon couldn't care less what anyone thinks about him using Goldberg," and the head honcho still believes there is value in the Goldberg name. One might argue that lessens every time the 53-year-old performs, but McMahon appears locked in to use Goldberg for a few years yet.
#4 WWE changing the name of a top Superstar
It seems like another Superstar is all set to lose his last name based on WWE's recent trademark filings.
As revealed in the USPO's public database, WWE filed for a trademark for 'Dominick' on 13th October.
Given below is the trademark filing:
"IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment"
It's interesting to note that WWE might not just take away the last name but also make a small change to the spelling of Rey Mysterio's son's name.
He was going by the name Dominik Mysterio ever since signing a full-time WWE contract. It's a known fact that Vince McMahon has a knack for taking away the last names of the Superstars, and Dominik could join the list pretty soon.
There have been talks about Dominik Mysterio taking up the 'Prince Mysterio' moniker and a mask in the distant future. However, only time will tell whether WWE lets Dominik accomplish his dream of wrestling under a mask.
For now, the fans should be ready for a name change for Dominik Mysterio.
#3 Former WWE Superstar Mistico, aka the Original Sin Cara, unmasks himself during a live stream
Luis Ignacio Urive Alvirde, who wrestled under the ring names Mistico, Carístic, and the original Sin Cara in the WWE, was recently involved in a big mishap during a live stream.
Mistico was engaging with the fans during a live stream, and the star thought he'd ended the Instagram live session before taking his mask off. However, the stream wasn't offline, and the fans were quick to take a screenshot of his unmasked face, which you can view below:
WWE signed Mistico in 2011, and it was later revealed in a press conference in Mexico City that the well-traveled Luchador would go by the name Sin Cara. The Original Sin Cara made his WWE debut in March 2011, and the company was ready to push him as the next big Hispanic star.
However, Mistico's WWE run never really took off as he was released from the company in March 2014. Several in-ring botches marred Mistico's WWE stint, and his push sadly went nowhere. The former Superstar claimed that WWE didn't allow him to use the style that made him a household name in Mexico. WWE would later hand the Sin Cara mask to Hunico.
#2 Update on Rey Mysterio's WWE in-ring return, Aalyah Mysterio-Murphy angle
Rey Mysterio is out of action due to a torn triceps injury, but the 45-year-old veteran isn't taking his eyes away from his WWE in-ring return.
Rey Mysterio revealed on the latest edition of WWE's Talking Smack that he is 'almost at 99% ready' to make his in-ring comeback.
"There's no reason why I won't be back to the ring soon. I was a bit concerned in the beginning since the procedure [post surgery] was slow, and it took time for me to recuperate. But, I'm already at 99 percent. So, I'm looking for bigger things to come."
Rey Mysterio, Dominik, and Seth Rollins were drafted to SmackDown during the recent WWE Draft, and just like that, their long-running storyline also found a new home to continue. Murphy was also drafted to SmackDown, and he has been trying to squash his beef with the Mysterios. WWE has also been building up towards a potential on-screen alliance between Murphy and Aalyah Mysterio.
Rey Mysterio stated that he is not happy with Aalyah and Murphy's interactions, before adding that the Mysterio family would conclude the feud with Seth Rollins on SmackDown.
"There's a twist and turn now with Murphy trying to get on my daughter's side, which I take issue with. With Seth [Rollins] and Murphy also on SmackDown, we can finish something we began on RAW. While I want to get done with it, [this rivalry] will continue until its over." (h/t: WrestlingInc)
#1 WWE believes that Lana turned babyface on RAW
Lana pulled off a massive upset on RAW's most recent episode as she won the dual-brand Women's Battle Royal to become the new No.1 Contender for Asuka's WWE RAW Women's Championship.
Earlier on in the night, Natalya ended her brief alliance with Lana after losing a tag team match to Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose.
Lana would get revenge in the main event as she eliminated Natalya to win the high-stakes match. However, the Ravishing Russian was predictably put through a table during the match. She wasn't involved in the proceedings right up until the end, when she sneaked up from the back and dumped Natalya out of the match.
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer stated that the belief in the WWE is that Lana turned babyface after the angle on RAW. It was added that the term 'massive babyface' was also used.
The company belief is that this show turned Lana babyface because she was put through a table four times and came back to win the Battle Royal. The term massive babyface was even used. We shall see.
Asuka should comfortably defend the RAW Women's Championship against Lana, but the fact that the WWE officials are considering the manager/slash wrestler a babyface now is an interesting development.
Lana was booked to go through the table on several consecutive RAW episodes, and the idea was that WWE was punishing her for Miro, fka Rusev's anti-WWE comments on AEW Dynamite.
However, Lana now has a big opportunity to prove her worth as an in-ring performer in a RAW Women's title match against The Empress of Tomorrow.
