Welcome to the weekly Rumor Look Back, where we look at the rumors from six months ago and see which played out as originally predicted. Let’s jump right into it.
- The WrestleVotes Twitter has made mention that WWE is trying to make both the Barclays and Manhattan Center venues equal as far as the quality of the shows for Raw 25. The legends will likely be at the Manhattan venue and the surprises at the Barclays.
- I’m going to say this is incorrect. The bulk of the show was in the Barclay’s Center, outside the DX/nWo/Balor Club Too Sweet orgy. There were legends at the Manhattan Center, but some, including the big one in Stone Cold, in Brooklyn. (0/2)
- Chris Jericho is booked for a tour date with his band the night of the Royal Rumble, so it looks like there’s no chance of him working that show.
- Jericho will make things happen, but this wasn’t one of them. (1/1)
- Dolph Ziggler is expected to return either at Royal Rumble or the SmackDown episode days later.
- He returned at the Royal Rumble. He was #30 in the Rumble itself. He was soon eliminated. (1/1)
- Kenny King recently mentioned he talked with WWE about an NXT deal in 2016 but he’s not expected to go there at any point now.
- He’s still working Ring of Honor. (1/1)
- Most of John Cena’s post-Royal Rumble bookings are on Raw and involve working against Samoa Joe in tag and multi-man matches.
- Cena was on Raw mostly. Samoa Joe was unfortunately out injured prior to WrestleMania so didn’t work Cena at all. (1/2)
- Still, a program with Joe is seen as filler to get to bigger plans for him at WrestleMania. Observer Radio speculated his match against Undertaker there could be set up at Raw 25 in two weeks.
- His Mania match was against Undertaker but it wasn’t set up at Raw 25. (1/2)
- It’s believed the Chris Jericho vs. Tetsuya Naito match set-up at New Year’s Dash!! will take place when New Japan returns to California on Mar. 25 for Strong Style Evolved.
- It didn’t happen until Dominion. From the sounds of it, Chris Jericho isn’t going to work in the United States out of respect for Vince. (0/1)
- Former adult film star/current sports talk personality/Eva Marie debate opponent Mia Khalifa is expected to work an angle at the indie wrestling show she was invited to by Thunder Rosa (aka Lucha Underground’s Kobra Moon).
- It was a really awkward segment with Joey Ryan, who shouted “Touch my dick” at her and that was normal. Wrestling is weird, man. (1/1)
- There have been advertising photos for Raw 25 that feature SmackDown stars, leading to speculation wrestlers from the blue brand could appear on the show.
- Charlotte Flair was backstage in a segment, but really that’s it. Outside, Shane McMahon, who I didn’t really count. (1/1)
- It’s expected that Enzo Amore will defend the Cruiserweight championship against Cedric Alexander at Royal Rumble.
- He was released by then. (0/1)
- Speaking of cruiserweights, it is expected they will be represented in the men’s Royal Rumble match.
- There were zero cruiserweights in the match. (You can see the full list here.) (0/1)
- Per Wrestling Observer, Rey Mysterio could be debuting for Impact Wrestling soon.
- Six months later and there’s no sign of him in Impact. (0/1)
- It’s expected the current roster will be at Barclays Center for Raw 25 while Legends are at Manhattan Center, but some travel between sites could take place, according to Wrestling Inc.
- It was mixed enough I’m going to say no to this. Stone Cold was at Barclays. And there were some current roster guys there as well such as Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, Balor Club, and the Revival. (0/1)
- PW Insider says Eric Bischoff will make his first Raw appearance since 2007 at the anniversary show.
- He was briefly on stage as one of the past GMs. (1/1)
- Candice LaRae has signed with WWE and should be reporting to the Performance Center this month, per Squared Circle Sirens.
- She is currently part of the yellow brand and could have a Women’s title shot coming her way. (1/1)
- Sports Illustrated says New Japan has discussed having Chris Jericho face IWGP Heavyweight champ Kazuchika Okada after his match with Tetsuya Naito.
- It’s always possible.
- According to the Observer, John Cena vs. Undertaker is planned for WrestleMania 34.
- That’s how it went. (1/1)
- PW Insider notes Paige’s injury may be worse than previously thought and she may not be cleared to wrestle by Royal Rumble.
- She wasn’t. She had to retire due to the injury unfortunately. (1/1)
- Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that NXT wrestlers have been told nine women will be in the Royal Rumble but they haven’t decided on the nine yet.
- There were only two. (0/1)
- Per the Observer, ticket demand for Royal Rumble in Philadelphia is “at an all-time record high.”
- People pumped for that Women’s Rumble.
- Per the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, New Japan World jumped to over 100,000 subscribers in the wake of Wrestle Kingdom 12.
- The Chris Jericho factor.
- Per the Observer, the Ronda Rousey-Triple H dinner meeting news that TMZ reported was set up so that they could get publicity for her pending arrival in WWE.
- Certainly they think about those things.
- According to Wrestling Inc, Raw 25 will feature WWE airing two hours from the Barclays Center and one hour from the Manhattan Center.
- Cain A. Knight crunched the numbers and it was more favorable towards Barclays. (0/1)
- They’re also saying WWE is going to be filming backstage, likely for a documentary on the big show.
- There was a Raw 25 documentary on the Network. (1/1)
- The Observer and PW Insider note that Richochet is expected to sign with WWE anytime and an announcement on as much could be coming very soon.
- He signed and debuted by TakeOver: New Orleans. (1/1)
This week: 13/24 - 54%
Overall: 2,263/4,106 - 55.1%
Have a great week, everyone!