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It's been a wild week in the wonderful world of professional wrestling. Then again, you could probably say that about every week in this fantastic business.
There have been a few ups and downs but we've gone through all of the developing stories and current rumours to pick out five you probably need to pay attention to.
So sit back as we take a look at some of the stories that really caught our attention this week.
#1 Shane McMahon's heel turn
Don't cross the boss or his son...
The Rumour:
SmackDown Live has been a strange place since Hell In A Cell. The SmackDown roster jumped right into the buildup for the Survivor Series with Shane McMahon leading the pack as their fearless leader and Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn took a backseat. With Survivor Series is in the rearview mirror and McMahon nursing his wounds from losing at WWE's November Classic, he seems to be directing a lot of vengeance toward Owens and Zayn. Daniel Bryan has since stepped in as a middleman between Shane McMahon and the team of Owens and Zayn. Cagesideseats noted Shane McMahon's growing intensity toward The Prizefighter and The Underdog From The Underground could be leading toward a heel for the SmackDown Live commissioner.
The Potential:
Shane McMahon has played a heel character before and he's quite good at it. McMahon has been a babyface since returning to WWE television during the buildup to WrestleMania 32, but all it takes is one good story and people could be booing Vince McMahon's baby boy once more.
The Fallout:
If SmackDown Live turned into a show with two authority figures from different sides of the fence it could mean a larger change in the show's direction is to come. SmackDown Live might no longer be the land of opportunity it once was if Shane McMahon's wrath continues to spread. Only time will tell, but it might be a good idea to pay attention to Shane McMahon's directives in the upcoming weeks.
#2 Ronda Rousey close to signing with WWE
The Rumour:
Ronda Rousey and WWE have been flirting with each other for a while now and some would say it has been an on-going process since before WrestleMania 31. But a new report from USA Today stated two people who are close to the former UFC Bantamweight Champion have stated Rousey is in the process of inking a deal with WWE.
The Potential:
The possible involvement of Rowdy Ronda Rousey in WWE has a lot of people excited and even more thoroughly interested to see what will transpire on television surrounding her debut. There were reports saying a Survivor Series match might be in the cards for Rousey but that obviously didn't happen. Now the next logical option seems to be WrestleMania, but who knows if Rowdy Ronda will pop in at the Royal Rumble to jumpstart some kind of feud leading to the Show Of Shows?
The Fallout:
Stephanie McMahon and Charlotte Flair have both been kicked around as possible opponents for Rousey at WrestleMania. Dave Meltzer also noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Asuka might also be a candidate for Rousey's opponent seeing how she recently switched up her finishing submission hold to one similar to Rousey's famous armbar.
#3 Why Nia Jax was paired with Enzo
The Rumour:
Enzo Amore is the WWE Cruiserweight Champion and it turns out he's quite a ladies man as well. After delivering a speech to hype up his Zo Train on Raw this week, Nia Jax approached Amore and looked rather flirty. She looked The Realest Guy In The Room up and down before saying, "how you doing?" and then she walked away. There is an apparent romance brewing between the two and PW Insider reported this is WWE's way of keeping Jax busy on television while separating her from Asuka and Absolution.
The Potential:
Nia Jax is a force to be reckoned with and she's already stated on social media how she would like to "welcome" Absolution to Raw. However, they have been kept separate on television. It's curious that Asuka and Jax have also had some distance created between them. WWE keeping Nia Jax away from Paige's posse and Asuka is a way of keeping heat on The Girl Who's Not Like Most Girls in the meantime and it looks like an on-screen romance with Enzo Amore could fill that void for now.
The Fallout:
When Nia Jax and Absolution or Asuka collide there needs to be a big build-up and a payoff. Besides, Jax and The Empress Of Tomorrow have already tangled in NXT and the match left much to be desired. A feud between Nia Jax and either of these two entities might be in the cards down the line, but WWE needs to book a story like that carefully and give a reason why it took so long getting to that point as well.
#4 Daniel Bryan's SummerSlam Plans
Is it only a matter of time at this point?
Rumour:
Daniel Bryan has wanted to get back in the ring ever since he retired. The Bearded GOAT has travelled around and found his own doctors who have cleared him to compete but WWE's doctor Joseph Maroon has the final say-so on the situation. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter stated discussions of a possible match between Shane McMahon and Bryan aren't on the table due to the fact the current SmackDown Live GM has not been cleared to compete. But the plan is to possibly allow Daniel Bryan's in-ring return at next year's SummerSlam if he can get the green light from WWE's doctor.
Potential:
If WWE would allow an in-ring return for Daniel Bryan it could be a big deal for the company. The entire pro wrestling world would be watching to see Bryan's comeback at next year's SummerSlam and coupled with the merchandising potential there are a lot of upsides for clearing Bryan to compete. The only real question is if Dr Maroon is going to take the findings of Daniel Bryan's doctors under advisement.
The Fallout:
Daniel Bryan is pretty set on wrestling again and it might only be a matter of time before he's lighting up the indie wrestling scene once more. Although it wouldn't really hurt WWE, it would be great for anyone Bryan wrestles for. However, it should be noted that Bryan's in-ring return isn't a sure thing either because if he receives another negative test that might make him rethink the situation entirely.
#5 Hideo Itami plans on 205 Live
The Rumour:
Hideo Itami is a guy who should have been called up to the WWE main roster a long time ago. He was in NXT before many people who have been called up since but injuries have stood in his way. With a debut on 205 Live coming up soon, it looks like WWE has big plans for the man formally known around the world as Kenta. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted Itami is being set up in a big way to lead the 205 Live brand as he will "likely anchor the shows with Amore."
The Potential:
Hideo Itami is capable of doing way more than working with Cruiserweights, but his superior skillset will do wonders to validate the 205 Live roster which is already full of outstanding talent. Enzo Amore's Zo Train is pretty dense at this point consisting of practically every heel on the 205 Live roster. Therefore, it looks like Hideo Itami could have plenty of heads to kick in on his way to the top of WWE's weekly Cruiserweight showcase.
The Fallout:
The NXT Title was never in the cards for Hideo Itami during his run in NXT. Although he did get a title shot or two, Itami never captured the title. But with his insertion into a top level on 205 Live, it might only be a matter of time until Itami is getting his first taste of wearing a championship under WWE's banner.
