It never ends.
Lead Rumor: WWE counter programming AEW
A couple of John Cena updates lead off the rumors for the week, but they’re mainly centered around WWE and its continued counter programming of AEW.
Dave Meltzer mentioned on Wrestling Observer Radio that the thinking behind bringing Cena to NXT next week is because “they didn’t want to go in there and get humiliated or anything.” Cena is one of their biggest draws, so he is being used not necessarily to win the night but to make sure they don’t lose badly to one of AEW’s more popular
shows, Blood & Guts.
Cena will also appear on Monday Night Raw this week, where it’s expected he will announce details for The John Cena Classic. Meltzer said in The Daily Update that Dec. 19 is the favorite for the date, with Wrestlepalooza and TLC taking place on Dec. 12. That would put it up against Worlds End.
It’s possible it could go on Dec. 5 but that wouldn’t fit with recent history. We will likely know either way by the end of Raw this week.
Other rumors floating around
- With the recent word of upcoming changes in executive positions within WWE and NXT, the Observer notes CM Punk isn’t likely to be a candidate for NXT anytime soon but down the line he absolutely could be.
- Bayley, meanwhile, could be open to some kind of position helping talent tin NXT. Meltzer notes her deal is up and he’s “pretty sure” she is not going to AEW.
- During a conversation with Nick Teodoro, Jake “The Snake” Roberts said he re-signed with WWE and is “doing some stuff for them.” He left AEW earlier this year.
- Darren Young, meanwhile, has clarified on his social media that he has been working at the Performance Center as a guest coach.
- For what it’s worth, Court Bauer told the Observer that MLW almost landed a deal for Paramount but the UFC deal changed things.
- Speaking of MLW, PW Insider notes Mike Kilts, Senior Direction of Live Events, has departed the company. Fightful says Rafael Morffi, previously at AEW in live event operations, took over for him a month ago.
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