WWE rolled out their first week of programming after the WWE draft and it proved to be a landscape changing one. Finn Balor was introduced to the main roster on Monday Night Raw and he went on to book his place in the SummerSlam main event after getting a clean win over Roman Reigns.
On SmackDown, Dolph Ziggler was crowned the number one contender for the WWE championship of Dean Ambrose.
While all these does indicate winds of change in the WWE programming, on the other side, the internet, as usual, was buzzing with speculations. We have listed the top five rumors as usual and here is a closer look at them.
Lighter schedule for John Cena
John Cena’s WWE career apparently seems to be winding up as he is taking a lighter schedule than initially expected. As of now, Cena is committing to more and more projects outside WWE and this will force him to miss certain WWE pay-per-view and a string of live events.
There are also rumors which suggest that Cena will be missing Backlash, which will be the first pay-per-view of SmackDown brand after the brand split. WWE apparently reacted to the same by claiming that the ‘whole’ SmackDown roster will be at the pay-per-view and the situation will only get clear as we head near the actual show.
There is also another set of rumors that say that Cena is no longer seen as someone who could carry the company.
Brands of returning superstars
The rumor mill has been buzzing a lot about former WWE superstars making a return due to the brand split. We saw Rhyno comeback on SmackDown and WWE has announced that Shelton Benjamin will also be returning. Another rumored name in the mix is that of Jinder Mahal. He has apparently resigned with the WWE and is expected to go into Raw.
Curt Hawkins is expected to be in SmackDown once the formalities are completed. Melina is also reportedly close to signing with the company along with the likes of MVP and Stevie Richard. Apart from this, WWE has also offered contracts to Cruiserweight classic stars like Zack Sabre Jr., Noam Dar, and TJ Perkins.
Cody Rhodes joining Bullet Club?
Cody Rhodes has been all over the news ever since he was released by the WWE. Firstly, he made a list of superstar that he wanted to work with and then, Cody revealed some interesting matches that would make any wrestling fan drool.
The latest news from the Cody camp involves him working in Ring of Honor. Though many expected it to be a one-time deal, Cody revealed that it would be a much longer deal.
In addition to this, Cody revealed the same with a catchphrase of Adam Cole, which in turn has kicked off rumors about Cody being possibly associated with the Bullet Club.
WrestleMania 33 feud being planned
WWE booked Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks for SummerSlam and it is expected to be pushed as a major match for the show. Sasha Banks won the Women’s Championship from Charlotte this week on Raw and had attracted a huge reaction.
The Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks feud is expected to cover a couple of months but for WrestleMania 33, WWE is planning Bayley vs. Sasha Banks.
The feud is expected to kick start when Bayley is called up to the main roster on a full-time basis. Although further details of the feud were not talked about, it does sound like an interesting scenario as both women deserve it.
Future of Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman
Brock Lesnar is expected to appear on this week’s Raw. According to the rumors, this will be one of the two appearances he will make on the weekly show ahead of his match against Randy Orton at SummerSlam. The next appearance of Lesnar would happen at the go-home show of SummerSlam. There is no news on what WWE has in plans for the beast after SummerSlam.
Also, Paul Heyman is yet to pen down a new contract with WWE but irrespective of the same, Heyman is expected to appear on Raw alongside his client. The future of Heyman is also hanging in the balance and WWE will be looking to secure a new deal before SummerSlam arrives.
