The WWE’s focus towards putting on a show in New Orleans could bring back fans to tune in to fresh episodes of Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live.
Since the world of professional wrestling builds around conjectures and speculations, here are the five last-minute rumors you need to know before Raw and SmackDown Live.
#1 AJ Styles is still scheduled to defend his Championship at WrestleMania 34 - SmackDown Live
Some major news broke out last week which suggested that AJ Styles was injured during a live event in MSG, sidelining him from the WrestleMania card.
The WWE Champion did make an appearance on the March 20th, 2018 edition of SmackDown Live and joined the commentary team rather than getting involved in in-ring action.
However, AJ Styles himself has put the rumours to bed when he issued a statement and asserted that he will fight Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship.
The WWE Champion said the following:
Also Read: From the WWE rumour mill: Update on AJ Styles’ injury status
With Styles’ intentions for WrestleMania clear, it seems like that the fans will be in for something special.
#2 Bray Wyatt could be repackaged - Raw
The Ultimate Deletion match between Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt was a ’thing of beauty’ which culminated with the latter thrown into the Lake of Reincarnation.
However, the possible reason for Wyatt’s deletion has been revealed. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported that the company could be rebooting Bray Wyatt into something completely different.
Also Read: From the WWE Rumor Mill: Bray Wyatt to be repackaged
WWE also teased a character transformation for the former WWE Champion at a live event in Toronto. There’s no denying that Wyatt’s has been underutilized; if there’s a perfect time for a reboot of his character, it is now.
#3 Braun Strowman’s tag-team partner will remain a mystery - Raw
The Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman, was perhaps the hottest commodity in all of sports entertainment in 2017 and is continuing to elevate his credentials in 2018 too.
Currently involved in a puzzling feud with The Bar for the Raw Tag-Team Championships, Strowman will need a tag-team partner for his match at WrestleMania, as confirmed by Kurt Angle.
Also Read: From the WWE Rumor Mill: Big Spoiler on Braun Strowman’s WrestleMania 34 partner
However, there is speculation that the WWE wouldn’t be revealing Braun’s potential tag-team partner until WrestleMania. Elias, Big Cass, Bobby Lashley and Sister Abigail are the rumored names doing the rounds.
#4 Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens to remain fired - SmackDown Live
Daniel Bryan’s epic return to the ring has increased the possibility of a tag-team match at WrestleMania 34. In case you didn’t know, the duo of Sami and Kevin attacked Shane O’Mac on the March 13th, 2018 edition of SmackDown Live.
Bryan fired the pair next week, after which he faced a brutal assault at the hands of Zayn and Owens. This beatdown has all but confirmed a tag-team match at WrestleMania.
Also Read: WWE News: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn invade WWE Live Event
The storyline involving the four Superstars has been fantastic and has catapulted Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn as the top heels in the company. They recently made an unadvertised appearance at a live event in Trenton, New Jersey.
However, there is speculation that WWE could book this match as an unsanctioned match or a street fight with Owens and Zayn remaining fired until after WrestleMania, when they may get drafted to Raw.
#5 The Phenom will only return during go-home week- Raw
John Cena’s determination to face The Undertaker in a dream encounter at WrestleMania has got the fans invested and has made for some great entertainment.
The Cenation Leader will square off against Kane this Monday on Raw and judging by the rumors that have been doing the rounds, there is a possibility that the Undertaker will show up.
Also Read: From the WWE Rumor Mill: Rumored date for The Undertaker vs John Cena match to be made official
According to Cageside Seats, the blockbuster match could be made official on the go-home episode for WrestleMania 34.
John Cena vs. the Undertaker is a match for the ages and will undoubtedly deliver, but do not expect the Phenom to show up this Monday.
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title: “5 Last Minute Rumors You Need To Know Before Raw And Smackdown Live” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-17” author: “Terra Sage”
Many riveting clashes have been announced for WrestleMania and some of them are still awaiting confirmation. The world of professional wrestling is built around the quintessence of conjectures and speculations.
Therefore, let’s analyze what could be awaiting us on Raw and SmackDown Live this week. Here are the 5 last-minute rumors you need to know.
#1 AJ Styles could be legitimately injured - SmackDown Live
Starting off with some disappointing news that has been floating all around the world of professional wrestling. The Phenomenal One could be on the verge of being sidelined with a legitimate injury caused during a live event in MSG.
Styles was supposed to team-up with Shinsuke Nakamura to square off against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens at the event. However, things went out of hand when Owens and Zayn blindsided both the Superstars with multiple chair shots, and attacked them with some brutal assaults.
The repercussions were unfortunately concerning, as the referee reportedly waved out the ‘X’ sign, which is done when a Superstar is legitimately injured. This definitely comes as a shocker to all the fans around the world, who have been anticipating Styles vs Nakamura at the Show of Shows.
The Phenomenal One was limping on his way out of the arena, and judging by his body language, things could be serious. Expect this to be cleared on Tuesday night.
#2 Jeff Hardy’s cameo could be facing Deletion - Raw
Matt Hardy’s lacklustre feud with Bray Wyatt could be on the cusp of culmination. Both the Superstars are going to be involved in an ‘Ultimate Deletion’ match which has reportedly already been filmed. It has been speculated that the match, which will be aired on Raw this Monday, had a surprisingly well-booked cameo from Jeff Hardy as Brother Nero.
However, the Charismatic Enigma has landed himself in a troublesome situation. He was arrested after he crashed his vehicle into a guardrail and got charged with a DWI, a couple of days after the filming was completed. Right after the unfortunate incident, WWE issued the following statement
Matt Hardy also sent out a cryptic tweet that showed his despair towards Jeff Hardy’s actions. There’s no confirmation regarding Jeff’s in-ring return as of now, but after what transpired, it is possible that the company has edited out his scenes from the Ultimate Deletion. So, if you are going to tune in this Monday to witness the Great War, do not expect Brother Nero to be a part of it.
#3 There could be a tag-team partner for Braun Strowman - Raw
My mind still boggles at the possibility of Braun Strowman squaring off against the Bar at WrestleMania 34 for the Raw Tag-Team Championships. In case you didn’t know, the Monster Among Men won a Tag-Team Battle Royal on this past week, ensuring his position as the number one contender for the Tag-Team title.
Strowman is currently scheduled to square off against the Bar, in what is technically a 2-on-1 Handicap Match. WWE has still not advertised the match for WrestleMania, which has ignited speculations of a possible partner for Strowman.
Legions of WWE fans are anticipating what’s next for Braun Strowman and if internet rumors are anything to go by, there could be a tag-team partner for the Monster Among Men. Possible names like Elias, Bray Wyatt and the Big Show have surfaced online and judging by the excitement in the air, the fans will surely tune into Raw next week.
#4 Daniel Bryan’s role at New Orleans will be revealed- SmackDown Live
There are many conflicting opinions surrounding Daniel Bryan’s potential in-ring return within the WWE, and with the Underdog being advertised for SmackDown on Tuesday, the fans are anticipating something positive.
However, some rumors have emerged about the role for Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 34 which could disappoint the WWE Universe. The recent vicious altercations between Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Shane O’Mac could lead up to a triple threat match at the Show of Shows, with Bryan ending up as the Special Guest Referee.
The possibility of Bryan donning the white and black stripes would be met with a negative reaction, but WWE’s strict policies won’t succumb to them either way. Bryan has been constantly vocal about wanting to return to the squared circle, and if you’re curious to know what’s next for him, stay tuned to SmackDown Live.
#5 The Undertaker could return as the American Badass - Raw
John Cena’s challenge to the Undertaker electrified the entire WWE Universe and if there’s anything to takeaway from his energetic promo, it is that the Phenom’s not done yet.
However, the Undertaker’s return might not be as many would be expecting it to be. The rumor mill is swirling around with reports suggesting that The Undertaker could be returning as the ‘American Badass’, a gimmick that was enormously famous during the Attitude Era.
John Cena’s promo was quite straight-forward in its approach and the Franchise vehemently tried to get under the skin of the Phenom, by using some harsh words. Cena’s words definitely suggest that the company could be looking to book the Undertaker in a different gimmick this time around.
Whether this rumor ends up being true or not, the Undertaker vs John Cena will still remain the most anticipated match to ever happen in a squared circle.
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