Shopping for or Promoting John Cena vs. Roman Reigns, Ricky Starks to WWE and Newest Rumors

With names like CM Punk, Roman Reigns and John Cena making waves for one motive or one other, the professional wrestling rumor mill has arguably by no means been hotter.

On the AEW aspect, buzz continues to swell about potential free-agent signings and what would possibly occur when sure contracts expire sooner or later.

The WWE aspect is extra sturdy due to countless Punk hypothesis. Plus, sure developments would appear to level to Reigns and Cena getting concerned at a serious occasion earlier than the latter’s return involves a detailed.

Sprinkle in doable inventive plans for different massive names and it is quite a bit to maintain up with, so here is a take a look at the must-know rumors and whether or not to bull or promote on these.

Followers would possibly simply see some free-agent fireworks earlier than the tip of the 12 months.

Contemporary on the heels of Edge becoming a member of AEW, it seems like Ricky Starks may go the opposite path.

In response to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), some massive names have their contracts with AEW expire by the tip of the 12 months and that WWE could have curiosity signing “key ones” similar to Starks.

That is a no brainer. Contemporary off beating Wheeler Yuta at WrestleDream, Starks stays a type of guys who feels headed to the moon—one thing that may get amplified if he is in a fair greater promotion.

Tack on his well-known friendship with Cody Rhodes too and it looks like we all know the when, with if by no means actually a part of the controversy.

Verdict: Shopping for

Are followers about to get one other butting of heads between Cena and Reigns, this time at stage like Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia?

That is the vibe given off by Meltzer (h/t Wrestling Headlines’ Andrew Ravens) not too long ago when discussing the run-up to the Fastlane PPV.

There, Cena will staff with LA Knight towards Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso in a mini-Bloodline feud. Then, he’ll pop up on NXT to assist Carmelo Hayes towards Bronn Breakker, with some Bloodline involvement there for good measure, too.

Nonetheless, this one looks like a promote. It wasn’t all that way back followers received a Reigns-Cena matchup and WWE could be extra desirous to throw a bone to Knight followers by giving him a title shot. Plus, will we actually see a rehash as an alternative of everybody utilizing Cena’s temporary legend rub throughout this return to place over somebody like Sikoa in solo motion?

Getting Cena vs. Reigns once more is not a horrible concept, nevertheless it could be served at a much bigger occasion on the schedule, too.

Verdict: Promoting

The clock retains ticking on CM Punk going again to WWE.

An inevitable-feeling reunion has but to occur, but professional wrestling followers know all too properly that these items are a matter of time.

But it surely’s within the works, in response to Meltzer (h/t Wrestle Speak’s Dave Adamson), who says that talks are underway. Meltzer additionally mentioned the WWE aspect will not remark and that the Punk aspect has mentioned he has plans to return.

Perhaps this implies one thing will get performed earlier than Survivor Collection (November 25) in Chicago. Perhaps not. But it surely’s cliche to say time heals all wounds for a motive, so the messiness of Punk’s departure with WWE years in the past and the way he left AEW extra not too long ago is irrelevant—there may be cash to be made and new decision-makers within the combine after WWE’s sale to Endeavor.

Extra importantly, there may be pro-wrestling historical past to be made for followers, a full-circle second as soon as thought inconceivable. This newest replace simply strikes the needle nearer for followers who can be happy to start out getting giddy concerning the concept once more.

Verdict: Shopping for

Earlier than Matt Riddle was fired from WWE, it appeared followers had been going to get his teaming with Drew McIntyre to fascinating outcomes.

And in response to WrestleVotes (h/t Ortman), these outcomes had been going to be tremendous wacky—to the purpose WWE had merchandise that includes the identify “McRiddle,” of all issues.

It must be a promote, proper? Issues had been goofy with Riddle usually, together with the stint with Randy Orton. However McIntyre simply feels totally different as this super-serious character who did not want that type of change of tempo. Given contract hypothesis round McIntyre that pointed to inventive variations within the first place, it is onerous to think about what he sought out was a comedy-based function.

Moreover that, hypothesis appeared to level to Orton returning quickly anyway earlier than Riddle left the corporate, so it appears extra logical WWE would have went again to the fan-favorite pairing whereas McIntyre offers with the truth of this sudden Jey Uso babyface run.

Verdict: Promoting

One may say WWE goes all in on counterprogramming AEW subsequent week, with marketed appearances for John Cena, Cody Rhodes and Asuka.

So why not add The Undertaker to the combo?

Solely in professional wrestling, proper? In response to PWInsider.com’s Mike Johnson, Undertaker shall be on the WWE Efficiency Middle in Orlando, Florida for subsequent Tuesday’s present, although it is unknown if he’ll truly seem on the published.

Let’s simply purchase it. WWE has been throwing extra main-event stars like Becky Lynch into the NXT combine these days, anyway. It simply so occurs that AEW Dynamite airs subsequent Tuesday versus the traditional Wednesday slot because of the MLB playoffs, so stacking the cardboard solely is sensible—particularly whereas AEW trots out WWE Corridor of Famer Adam “Edge” Copeland for the second time.

At this level, the rumor making the rounds will growth the scores anyway. So if the Deadman’s within the constructing, the Deadman will get on tv, even when it is a easy backstage section. Mission completed both approach.

Verdict: Shopping for