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We are just over a week away from one of the biggest WWE PPVs of the year - SummerSlam, and this week's RAW and SmackDown shows built towards that mega PPV that will happen on August 11.
In today's rumor roundup, we take a look at a WWE legend's return from injury and when he is expected, backstage reason for WWE scrapping a historic PPV, and more.
#5 SummerSlam match to be changed?
This past week, WWE announced a match between Dolph Ziggler and The Miz for SummerSlam, which happens just over a week from now, on August 11. WWE confirmed the match via a Tweet, but Wrestling Observer Newsletter 's Dave Meltzer has stated that the match between the two will not happen at the PPV.
Meltzer further said that Ziggler will have a match at the PPV, but The Miz will not be his opponent at SummerSlam.
Ziggler has feuded with WWE Champion Kofi Kingston recently following his return to WWE programming after a break, as well as Kevin Owens, against whom he lost to at Extreme Rules PPV in just 17 seconds.
#4 Backstage reason for Evolution being cancelled
Last year saw the first ever all-women's WWE PPV, Evolution, which was held on October 28, and was a giant leap for women's wrestling in WWE.
Evolution doesn't feature in this year's WWE PPV list, and now reports have emerged as to why the PPV was dropped by WWE. Wrestling Observer Newsletter are reporting that WWE have not gone ahead with the PPV this year because they fear that the PPV may fail to garner interest without Ronda Rousey around.
Rousey hasn't been featured on WWE television since her loss to Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 35, where she lost the RAW Women's title.
#3 Jinder Mahal injury
A Superstar who will have a much longer layoff from injury is former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal, who is expected to return to WWE television only on January 1, 2020. The same Fightful report claims that WWE's internal list shows Mahal's return date from his knee injury to be next year.
Mahal suffered a patella tendon injury in late June, which was to keep him out of action for anywhere between six months to a year. The report further states that Mahal had signed a new deal with WWE recently, tying him down for the next five years with WWE.
Mahal, who is now on SmackDown Live, did not have any significant feuds before his injury, although he was one of the many Superstars to win the 24/7 Championship from R-Truth.
The internal list, though, is an approximate time frame when these Superstars could return and is not accurate to the t.
#2 Bobby Lashley inactive time
In yesterday's WWE rumor roundup, we reported that Bobby Lashley is "inactive", which indicates that he won't be seen on RAW or PPVs for a while. Now, Fightful are reporting that the former Intercontinental Champion could return to WWE television in November as per an internal list.
WWE have not yet announced if Lashley is injured and why he will be out of action. There could be a possiblity of Lashley stepping into the MMA ring once again, as he revealed earlier this year, which could be a reason for his absence.
#1 Jeff Hardy return
Meanwhile, the same internal list that Fightful have access to has listed the return of WWE legend Jeff Hardy to WWE television on the same day - November 2nd. Hardy injured his knee in a house show and revealed later that he would be out for 6-9 months, back in April.
The Hardy Boyz had to relinquish their SmackDown Tag Team titles due to Jeff's injury, which is now currently being held by The New Day. If Hardy returns by November, he may be ready for Survivor Series, which will be held on November 24.
Jeff has been in the news for the wrong reasons once again when he was arrested for public intoxication earlier this month.
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