What is the story about?
Welcome
to the weekly Rumor Look Back, where we look at the rumors from six months ago and see which played out as originally stated. Let’s jump right to it.
- Fightful Select says the internal reaction to AJ Lee’s return match at Wrestlepalooza was hugely positive and everyone thought she did really well.
- It’s been a decade so she has to knock some rust off. But she’ll get there (and I would say is getting there). Lynch has been a good dance partner to help that along.
- There’s also been a lot of praise for Becky Lynch for her work with Lee in her big return, and helping lead her through such a good match.
- Could argue that Lynch is doing some of the best work of her career. Certainly her initial rise as The Man was some legendary stuff, but she’s doing such great heel work and also every time she is working with AJ, making sure she looks like a big deal – as a good heel should.
- The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that WWE has hope Shayna Baszler will take a coaching or producing role within the company but “that is not in place at this point.”
- Maybe she’ll join her friends in AEW? (Though it sounds like Ronda was just a one off.)
- WrestleVotes says WWE has been in talks with “a major food and beverage company” for a sponsorship tied to El Grande Americano.
- That has not happened that I’m aware of. (0/1)
- Beth Phoenix showing up at AEW’s All Out event was something they had talked about for some time, per Fightful.
- She took a piledriver from FTR. I wonder if she comes back for revenge now that C&C are back.
- They also say there has been talk for some time regarding Jack Perry making his return as well.
- Jungle Jack is the National champion (not to be confused with the International champion).
- Bodyslam.net claims that as of the morning of Wrestlepalooza, John Cena was scheduled to defeat Brock Lesnar in their match.
- Lesnar certainly could have afforded the loss. I don’t even mind Cena losing but squashing him like that did no one any favors. If Brock does put Oba over, you could argue that beating the man who recently decimated Cena could help elevate Femi. But I would argue Brock could have just beaten Cena to accomplish that.
- Meanwhile, on Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez said there will be no more follow up on the John Cena/Brock Lesnar story nor a follow up match. Wrestlepalooza was it for them.
- Accurate. (1/1)
- Alvarez also says there is concern within WWE that Piper Niven’s injury could be career-ending.
- That would be unfortunate. She hasn’t been on TV since though, which isn’t a good sign.
- On their Patreon, Bodyslam reported that Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre pitched having Rhodes drop the WWE title to McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza due to Randy Orton’s interference. McIntyre & Rhodes’ plan involved Orton’s attempt to help Rhodes backfiring, with the pair arguing that would set Cody up to chase the title again while saying a full Orton heel turn for later. Bodyslam hadn’t heard why WWE rejected the pitch.
- Eventually, Cody & Drew were able to convince creative to do the switch, and they got to the Randy heel turn eventually too.
- It seems the invasion angle TNA stars were teasing during NXT last week could start soon. “NXT sources” tell PW Insider that TNA wrestlers are being booked for Tuesdays, with “at least 2-4 talents expected to appear” on tonight’s show.
- The invasion did start this very night. (1/1)
- “Most seem to think” Tony Khan’s important announcement on Wednesday’s Dynamite will be for Women’s Tag titles and a tournament to crown the first champ, per Wrestling Observer’s Daily Update. The same sources says “there are hints” that Orange Cassidy will return on the show as Kyle O’Reilly & Hologram’s mystery partner.
- The announcement was the tag titles (though they didn’t mention the tournament on this show). OC also returned on this show. (2/2)
- John Cena wants to put people over on the way out, and that’s why he lost to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza, says the Wrestling Observer.
- That’s understandable but Brock Lesnar doesn’t need to be put over to that degree.
- Lesnar, by the way, is now being advertised for WrestleMania 42 and is expected in a big match at the event.
- His match with Oba definitely feels marquee. (1/1)
- WWE has made a trademark filing for “Los Americanos,” expected to be the tag team name for the duo running around with El Grande Americano.
- Rayo & Bravo. (1/1)
- Fightful Select updates Piper Niven’s injury situation by saying she is dealing with a serious neck issue. She is apparently awaiting an official diagnosis.
- Neck injuries are scary.
- Per Lucha Libre Online, AAA is expected to start matching NXT in basic salaries to help cover living costs and accommodate meals and travel when they go to the U.S.
- If folks in AAA are getting a bump, that’s good news.
- Roman Reigns wraps Street Fighter filming in Australia on Thursday, per PW Insider Elite. That will free him up to make his WWE return, but Fightful Select cautions, ”he’s not expected to be on SmackDown this week”.
- He was not on that SmackDown. (1/1)
- Speaking to Going Ringside, Tiffany Stratton said she’s been off since the Sept. 12 SmackDown as a “precautionary” move so she could be monitored after “a little bit of a rough landing” on a moonsault spot at the end of her double-countout with Jade Cargill on that show. The WWE women’s champ is “doing good” now, and on track for her Triple Threat title defense this Friday.
- She eventually lost the title to Jade and took some time off before returning for Mania season.
- On Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez was the latest to report that this week’s Stratton vs. Cargill vs. Nia Jax was originally planned for Wrestlepalooza, but was postponed because Tiffany wasn’t cleared.
- That was one of the rumos last week.
- Prior to Masha Slamovich’s statement on the domestic violence allegations against her, Fightful reported that WWE would be pausing any plans they may have had to use Slamovich in the TNA invasion of NXT. She was not scheduled to work this week’s episode of NXT.
- That’s the right move.
- Fightful also says that Slamovich’s TNA contract is up soon, and prior to the accusations it had yet to be determined if she’d remain with the company. It may not even happen now, but plans called for Slamovich to lose her Knockouts title shot against Ash By Elegance this Friday at Victory Road.
- That match didn’t happen. Ash By Elegance actually vacated her title at that show.
- Sportsbooks like betonline have Seth Rollins as an early favorite over Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel. Odds for John Cena to beat AJ Styles are as high as 91%.
- That’s correct. (2/2)
- Oddsmakers at the site also have the NXT men’s and women’s titles changing hands at No Mercy on Saturday.
- Ricky Saints beat Oba for the title (which sounds crazy in retrospect) but Jacy Jane retained her title against Lola Vice. (1/2)
- After an anonymous “insider” report spread that AEW’s partnership with action figure manufacturer Jazwares was coming to an end, Jazwares Chief Brand Officer Jeremy Padawer issued a statement to Matt Cardona’s Major Wrestling Figure Podcast saying they will be “making AEW product in 2026”. Cardona seemed to agree with co-host Brian Myers when he said, “something’s up though” in response to the quote from Padawer.
- That’s a whole world I know nothing of.
- It’s not clear if the interviewer understood that the original rumor was about WWE creative using the nickname, but on TMZ’s Inside The Ring MVP was asked about “a report you guys call Tony Khan ‘snowman’ backstage”. MVP replied “not us” and that “the only snowman I know is Jeezy”.
- It would be funny if MVP was like “Yeah, Tony’s doing coke all the time” because in general, of course he’s not going to say anything of the sort no matter what.
- According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer, John Cena vs. AJ Styles was “always scheduled” to take place at WWE Crown Jewel in Australia. AJ’s worked shoot promo during a recent Raw commercial break where he expressed his frustration with WWE was done “to build up this match.”
- They played it off as a “listening to the fans” audible but this makes more sense.
- Sources told WrestleVotes Radio that several people in WWE were surprised and confused by ESPN’s grade for Wrestlepalooza. Many people in WWE thought it was a similar quality show to its other PLEs, and didn’t understand why ESPN would want the “online stigma” that comes with that kind of review for its debut on the network.
- It wasn’t a great show. Fine. But also over hyped for what was delivered. That’s OK though – there will be no more grades from ESPN.
- Votes also mentioned that Logan Paul is not listed internally by WWE on either the Raw or SmackDown rosters. He’s a “free agent” who can appear on any show as needed.
- That may be the case but he’s pretty much on Raw with the Vision and his profile page on WWE dot com has the Raw banner on top.
- Following this week’s domestic abuse allegation, PW Insider says TNA has pulled Masha Slamovich from its Impact tapings this weekend after Victory Road.
- The right move.
- Insider heard that Britt Baker was not backstage at AEW’s Dynamite taping in her hometown of Pittsburgh this week.
- I don’t think we ever see her on AEW TV again. And if she’s under contract for a long time, I don’t see her having an impactful career thereafter.
- Fightful Select notes that the contract offer Jazmyn Nyx rejected from WWE was for $75,000 per year, which is the same amount she was already making.
- Not fantastic when you have to pay your own health insurance and travel (though travel requirements for NXT aren’t as rigorous as main roster).
- The outlet also says there is a pitch for Matt and Jeff Hardy to join the current angle of TNA invading NXT.
- Looks like they were involved to some degree in the overall angle. (1/1)
- Speaking of which, WWE filed to trademark the term “Invasion” this week.
- They didn’t already own it? (I’m sure if it did, it expired in the last 20 years.)
- Meanwhile, AEW filed to trademark the terms “AEW Bacon Brawl” and “Bacon Brawl.” This is for goods and services related to non-electric cookware, clothes, and prepared meals.
- Unsure if anything came of that.
- The Wrestling Observer Newsletter was told that WWE never planned for John Cena to beat Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza, so the rumor about a late change on the winner is not true. WWE’s plan with Lesnar is to “make him a monster” and eventually “have someone slay the monster,” which is why he had to beat Cena in his return to the ring.
- We can split those rumors. Will Oba be the one to slay the monster? (1/2)
- As far as the short-term is concerned, Fightful Select heard that Brock will be off TV for a while. Meanwhile, WrestleVotes Radio notes that Lesnar is already listed internally for Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia.
- Both cases accurate. (2/2)
- Fightful mentioned that Jacob Fatu’s recent absence from SmackDown was not supposed to last as long as it did.
- He’s back in a fun feud with Drew McIntyre.
- Steve Stasiak of Book Pro Wrestlers writes that Vince McMahon’s 80th birthday party was a locked down event: “NDAs everywhere, phones off, cameras banned. If you were in that room, you signed and stayed silent.” What’s more is that “100 of his most loyal inner circle” were gifted a white bust of McMahon’s head.
- Where the F are you going to put that?
- For whatever it’s worth, F4WOnline’s Dave Meltzer speculates that this year’s men’s War Games match at Survivor Series will be Roman Reigns, The Usos, and two others against Bronson Reed, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and two others.
- Rollins got hurt which changed the formula. (0/1)
- “One source with numbers” indicated to Meltzer that AEW’s All Out show had 135,000 to 140,000 buys on pay-per-view, which is “well ahead of most expectations.”
- That’s good.
- It looks like Jonathan Gresham will be cleared to return to the ring “in the next few weeks” after suffering multiple strokes last month, per WON.
- If that’s the case, he wasn’t active until January.
This week: 14/18 – 78%
Overall: 6,202/10,573 – 58.7%
Have a great week, everyone!
