Shopping for or Promoting Subsequent Bloodline Star, WWE Response to Tiffany Stratton, Extra Rumors
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The professional wrestling rumor mill continues to surge regardless of among the greatest gadgets coming true.
Living proof, Kazuchika Okada is formally a member of AEW after this week’s massive reveal.
That was one of many greatest speaking factors for weeks and but the rumor mill wont’ sluggish even a tad as a result of now issues shift to contract rumors, reserving rumblings and a number of different particulars.
And over in WWE land, there’s buzz on gadgets surrounding The Rock and even a potential new member to Roman Reigns’ Bloodline.
So if something, impressively, the mill may solely get extra dramatic within the coming weeks. Here is the vital buzz to know and whether or not followers can purchase or promote on every merchandise.
Response to Rock Backlash
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It feels like WWE can learn the proverbial writing on the wall in terms of how followers reacted to The Rock.
In response to Wrestling Observer Publication (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), these inside WWE imagine that fan backlash has really helped the corporate in beforehand unexpected methods.
It is a straightforward purchase. On paper, followers stepping in and spoiling a WrestleMania 40 headliner of Rock clashing with Roman Reigns sounds horrible. However WWE’s pivot—sticking with Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and involving Rock in different methods—possible means an prolonged storyline for the following 12 months.
Whereas Rock was most likely going to lose to Reigns and return to Hollywood, now he’ll make sporadic appearances for the following 12 months as WWE (with the understanding of followers) works towards his singles showdown with Reigns a 12 months from now.
Verdict: Shopping for
Tiffany Stratton’s Quick Rise
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Anybody with even an informal viewing curiosity in professional wrestling proper now understands that Tiffany Stratton appears to be like like a future headliner.
But in accordance with Fightful Choose (h/t Ortman), some in WWE had been caught off guard with the fan reactions to her showings.
However this one’s a promote, as Stratton was readily over on weekly broadcasts earlier than becoming a member of the principle roster in early February and throughout social media, too.
WWE’s reserving speaks for itself on this regard, as Stratton gained her main-roster debut, then bested Zelina Vega to earn a job within the ladies’s Elimination Chamber match, the place she eradicated fan favourite Naomi earlier than herself getting eradicated by Liv Morgan.
In different phrases, it will be a shock if WWE was shocked—Stratton has “subsequent massive factor” standing and has for a while.
Verdict: Promoting
New Member of the Bloodline?
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Reigns’ Bloodline including one other member to strengthen the faction has been a kind of working joke amongst followers.
But it surely’s humorous as a result of it feels nearly inevitable.
We is perhaps nearer to that time than ever, too. In response to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer (h/t Ortman), Tama Tonga might be a brand new addition earlier than lengthy.
It is not exhausting to see why, both. Tonga, speculated as a WWE signing after leaving NJPW just lately, is a seven-time UIWGP tag champion, amongst many different accolades and would thrive within the WWE system.
Including extra sensible layers to the Bloodline story is a no brainer, particularly if Rock decides to herald his personal muscle to assist out over the following six months or a 12 months if a household cut up happens.
Verdict: Shopping for
Okada Contract and Plans
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Okada made his massive debut with AEW this previous week and instantly appears to be like to be at or close to the highest of the cardboard.
As anticipated, it took an enormous contract for the corporate to win a potential bidding warfare, with Tokyo Sports activities (h/t Ortman) reporting that the contract requires roughly $4.5 million per 12 months.
Fightful Choose (h/t Ortman) adopted up by reporting that Okada will certainly be a full-time presence for AEW which makes loads of sense for such an enormous free-agent signing.
Each general factors register as a purchase. Okada wasn’t going to return low cost for any firm and the workrate was by no means actually unsure. What’s fascinating is the place issues go from right here, as the large debut was additionally one thing of a heel flip, with a potential trace at a feud with Kenny Omega sooner or later, too.
Verdict: Shopping for
Danielson vs. Ospreay to Headline Upcoming Occasion
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In what must be an indication of a resurgence for AEW, Okada is much from the one headline merchandise for AEW proper now.
Meltzer (h/t Ortman), for instance, has stated that Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson is on the docket quickly, whereas additionally describing it as a “dream match” that Tony Khan has held for the appropriate second.
Because it seems for this purchase of a rumor, that second might be on the upcoming Dynasty pay-per-view in April.
That makes good sense—perhaps the occasion cannot see Okada headline in opposition to Omega given the latter’s well being points in the intervening time. However a must-see showdown between Ospreay and Danielson is one heck of a method to cap off a first-time occasion that has the potential to show into an annual powerhouse.
Verdict: Shopping for