ticon12389
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There's only 2 big money matches left with Taker...Taker vs Brock, or Taker vs Cena. If neither is on the table, Taker shouldn't come back.
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Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.
WWE/TNA/Etc Spoiler Thread
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Hopefully not Ryback botches moves left and right. He could end up hurting the Dead Man.
I doubt it happens, but Sting?
Good news for anyone who used to like TNA, Hogan is on his way out and Bischoff should be next to follow. (rumors of course)
I doubt it happens, but Sting?
Good news for anyone who used to like TNA, Hogan is on his way out and Bischoff should be next to follow. (rumors of course)
The actual wrestling is better than all of WWE's product sub Ziggler, Bryan, Punk, and Ambrose.
MattyFos.
Let's go Brandon!!
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TNA also has stables which is something I'm a big fan of. WWE has gotten away from that. They have The Shield and the Wyatt Family. But those are just 3 man teams. The HHH corporation needs to add a few guys IMO.
everyone who was mad at last nights ending is forgetting two important details.
1. It wasn't a Russo swerve. We knew eventually that two Main Event feuds/issues would come together. My guess for the justification? HHH wants a violent, cold person. No longer Orton, so enter Big Show who was involved in this from the near get go. Knocks everyone out on the sole basis of family finance.
2. They can't end this feud. They can't remove either Orton or Bryan from the focus without removing Heyman and Punk. It's impossible from a draw perspective. Going through HIAC (where I could see another wacky finish), I really, really anticipate VKM coming back for a 5/5 with HHH/Orton and VKM/Bryan as captains with the key being which side Show picks.
1. It wasn't a Russo swerve. We knew eventually that two Main Event feuds/issues would come together. My guess for the justification? HHH wants a violent, cold person. No longer Orton, so enter Big Show who was involved in this from the near get go. Knocks everyone out on the sole basis of family finance.
2. They can't end this feud. They can't remove either Orton or Bryan from the focus without removing Heyman and Punk. It's impossible from a draw perspective. Going through HIAC (where I could see another wacky finish), I really, really anticipate VKM coming back for a 5/5 with HHH/Orton and VKM/Bryan as captains with the key being which side Show picks.
Well, uh, John Cena is superman.
Triceps tear in mid-summer, works through it to put over Danielson. August 18th, leaves, and has surgery in the following days. Easy four to six months.
Tonight? By the end of this month, not TWO months after getting surgery to fix a really fucked up arm, he's coming back (albeit for probably one day to build up Del Rio's armbreaker)
Holy. Fuck.
Perfect company guy. He's superhuman.
Triceps tear in mid-summer, works through it to put over Danielson. August 18th, leaves, and has surgery in the following days. Easy four to six months.
Tonight? By the end of this month, not TWO months after getting surgery to fix a really fucked up arm, he's coming back (albeit for probably one day to build up Del Rio's armbreaker)
Holy. Fuck.
Perfect company guy. He's superhuman.
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How do you figure? WWE has more then just Punk, Bryan and Orton who could draw. Ziggler deserves the push that he never got. Lesner could return and lose or even Taker.
Lesnar isn't a fulltime draw because of how his contracts work.
Ziggler also isn't a fulltime draw, and it's painstakingly obvious that he's the perfect example of a guy who can wrestle out the gym, but won't draw. They've gave him opportunities before to shine, and he looks good, but he's not a big sell so they aren't sustained. Except to IWC, but we don't usually buy. You're looking at Dean Malenko 2.0. Wonderful worker. Never really going to be a top guy.
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Completely disagree about Ziggler. His 1st WHC reign was crap, and his 2nd one never got off the ground before he got his concussion.
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Hulk Hogan has not signed with TNA after all. Previous reports had claimed that Hogan had signed a new contract after WWE offered him less money than TNA. He has NOT yet signed a TNA contract.
That means that Hogan is still a free agent at the moment but the two sides are still negotiating.
Bound for Glory should be interesting this Sunday.
Here is what is scheduled for this Thursday’s iMPACT! Wrestling:
*Bully Ray-AJ Styles contract signing.
*TNA champ Bully Ray vs. Magnus.
*Samoa Joe vs. Chris Sabin.
*Gunner vs. Knux.
*Robbie E vs. Hernandez vs. Eric Young vs. Christopher Daniels
For those that didn't watch last Impact you missed some good stuff with Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian and Bobby Roode.
That means that Hogan is still a free agent at the moment but the two sides are still negotiating.
Bound for Glory should be interesting this Sunday.
Here is what is scheduled for this Thursday’s iMPACT! Wrestling:
*Bully Ray-AJ Styles contract signing.
*TNA champ Bully Ray vs. Magnus.
*Samoa Joe vs. Chris Sabin.
*Gunner vs. Knux.
*Robbie E vs. Hernandez vs. Eric Young vs. Christopher Daniels
For those that didn't watch last Impact you missed some good stuff with Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian and Bobby Roode.
Prime 1978
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Daniel Bryan heading back to mid-card:
Daniel Bryan's WWE future might not be what many fans were hoping for, if PWInsider's latest reports are true. Mike Johnson of PWInsider is reporting that Daniel Bryan's run as a top star and main eventer might be coming to an end as he's taking some of the blame for the low buyrates during his short run in that position.
The feeling in WWE is that Daniel Bryan simply isn't a "larger than life" character fans are ultimately looking for, and that his best position is in the mid-card having great matches.
To the contrary, however, The Big Show's recent push is reportedly a result of WWE wanting bigger guys back in the spotlight. It's the reason he has moved into the main event program with Randy Orton and the McMahons and why guys like Luke Harper and Great Khali have been given more TV time as of late.
credit: Wresltezone
Daniel Bryan's WWE future might not be what many fans were hoping for, if PWInsider's latest reports are true. Mike Johnson of PWInsider is reporting that Daniel Bryan's run as a top star and main eventer might be coming to an end as he's taking some of the blame for the low buyrates during his short run in that position.
The feeling in WWE is that Daniel Bryan simply isn't a "larger than life" character fans are ultimately looking for, and that his best position is in the mid-card having great matches.
To the contrary, however, The Big Show's recent push is reportedly a result of WWE wanting bigger guys back in the spotlight. It's the reason he has moved into the main event program with Randy Orton and the McMahons and why guys like Luke Harper and Great Khali have been given more TV time as of late.
credit: Wresltezone
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Will post more later, but wanted to get this one in here right off the bat, courtesy of dailywrestlingnews.com:
We’ve noted recently how the decision was made to remove Daniel Bryan from the WWE Title picture and put him back on the upper mid-card with CM Punk in a feud with The Wyatt Family to help elevate that group.
Word now is that WWE officials have been second-guessing the decision to take Bryan out of the WWE Title chase and Survivor Series plans.
There’s a feeling that Bryan, in a way, helped some of WWE’s pay-per-view events because he was challenging for the WWE Title, causing some of the “smarter” fans to buy them that normally wouldn’t.
http://dailywrestlingnews.com/wwe-second-guessing-recent-daniel-bryan-changes/
We’ve noted recently how the decision was made to remove Daniel Bryan from the WWE Title picture and put him back on the upper mid-card with CM Punk in a feud with The Wyatt Family to help elevate that group.
Word now is that WWE officials have been second-guessing the decision to take Bryan out of the WWE Title chase and Survivor Series plans.
There’s a feeling that Bryan, in a way, helped some of WWE’s pay-per-view events because he was challenging for the WWE Title, causing some of the “smarter” fans to buy them that normally wouldn’t.
http://dailywrestlingnews.com/wwe-second-guessing-recent-daniel-bryan-changes/
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Shit ton of news, try to keep up :chuckles:
11/23:
We’ve been covering how Vince McMahon is unhappy with WrestleMania XXX already due to matches not being locked in and top stars not committing to the show yet. We also recently noted on DWN that Vince was interested in having Shawn Michaels come out of retirement against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX.
With so many big matches being up in the air for next year in New Orleans, one match WWE could surely deliver on is CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan. Word is that Vince isn’t interested in that match at WrestleMania because of his interest in Michaels returning. Vince wants multiple big names on the show and is obsessed with reproducing the results he received when he brought back The Rock.
11/25:
Talks between WWE and Hulk Hogan continue and word is that Hogan has expressed interest in wrestling some kind of match at WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans against John Cena. However, word also is that Triple H is leaning towards Cena being his opponent for WrestleMania XXX.
Triple H and Vince McMahon do not want Hogan’s deal to return be contingent on Hogan getting a match with Cena at WrestleMania. Big Show actually pitched an idea of having Hogan and himself take on Triple H and Randy Orton but key people in WWE creative don’t think they can stretch the feud between Triple H and Show until then. Also, Triple H and Vince both prefer there be a singles match where Triple H faces Vince’s “hand-picked opponent.”
As always, plans can and do change, but it’s said that if WrestleMania XXX happened right now the match would be Cena vs. Triple H.
11/26:
There is said to be a bit of a disconnect between Triple H and Vince McMahon right now. A WWE source says this is a reason for the lack of flow in the WWE product lately. It’s not that the two don’t get along because they do, they get along great, it’s just that they don’t seem to be putting their ideas together and making things work as of late.
One example is Big E Langston being the guy that Vince really wants to focus on while Roman Reigns is the guy that Triple H is more set on pushing.
11/28:
- The angle with The Shield attacking CM Punk after The Wyatt Family kidnapped Daniel Bryan on Monday’s RAW was a last minute plan and was not on RAW’s original script. No word yet on where they are going with it but everyone expects a huge feud between The Shield and The Wyatt Family at some point.
12/4:
WWE’s booking on the fly was a hot topic backstage at Monday’s RAW with the booking of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. One WWE source commented how WWE has “gutted” the long-term booking of Punk and Bryan’s program, which originally had them feuding with The Wyatt Family and possibly leading to a match between the two. It was noted last week that WWE now has zero plans for Punk and Bryan to feud but with the way things are constantly changing these days, that also could change.
In one week, WWE has blown off Punk vs. The Wyatts and moved him to The Shield while also moving Bryan away from Punk and moving him to The Wyatt Family. The plan for CM Punk going forward is to possibly align him with other babyfaces to continue the feud with The Shield.
There has been talk about breaking up The Shield, and while that will happen eventually, many feel it’s just way too early.
12/7:
Going into this past Monday’s RAW from Oklahoma City, WWE was looking to do three main events for WrestleMania XXX, two of which have been rumored – Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker and Triple H vs. John Cena. The other is a match that PWInsider recently reported was nowhere in WWE’s plans but apparently it has come up – CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan.
Vince McMahon is said to be less than thrilled with those top 3 matches so it’s very much subject to change. With the crazy Punk and Bryan booking that we’ve recently posted about, it’s possible they’ve already lost interest in Punk vs. Bryan.
Triple H is pushing for the match with Cena, which is why there is no push to sign Hulk Hogan on the contingency of a WrestleMania match like we’ve noted in the last few weeks. Regarding Taker vs. Lesnar, it’s said Taker has been pushing for that match for a long time.
12/11:
We’ve noted before how both Triple H and Shawn Michaels were interested in having Daniel Bryan vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXX and how Vince was upset that the match wasn’t working out because Shawn wasn’t interested in coming out of retirement.
Word from this week’s RAW is that both Vince and Triple H talked to Shawn about coming out of retirement for the match against Bryan and he does seem more receptive then he was at first. Originally, Shawn wasn’t believed to have put much thought into it.
Still, one WWE source doesn’t expect Shawn will want to come out of retirement when the decision has to be made.
-Word from Monday’s Slammys RAW from Seattle was that Randy Orton expressed anger backstage at John Cena’s promo that happened in the Championship Ascension ceremony. This is something that used to happen early in Orton’s career when he was known for getting frustrated with crowds. Cena was “shooting” during his promo about Daniel Bryan because he knew what the crowd wanted and how not to get booed.
A WWE source called it a brilliant move and said it was one of the best promos Cena has had in years, maybe ever.
-Also coming out of RAW, the talk was that they’re going “full steam ahead” with Brodus Clay’s heel turn and it’s believed he is reverting back to his old monster gimmick.
12/12:
It’s been reported in recent months about how there hasn’t been much certainty regarding The Rock’s WWE future. There was talk of him appearing at Hell In a Cell from his hometown of Miami to kick off a WrestleMania XXX angle but obviously that never happened and it doesn’t look like he will be returning for next year’s big event.
The talk at Monday’s Slammys RAW was that the fact there wasn’t even a pre-recorded message featuring The Rock, in case he won a Slammy which he did, is very telling about his current status with the company. It was mentioned at RAW that there are currently no plans to utilize him any further.
12/17:
We noted earlier this week here on DWN that word going around backstage at Sunday’s WWE TLC pay-per-view was that CM Punk is penciled in to feud with new WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton in early 2014.
The other Punk related talk going around at TLC was that the company is planning on pushing Punk as the anti-corporate Superstar once again.
If WWE decides to go in that direction, it would be a stopgap to Punk’s program at WrestleMania XXX. While the dream match against Steve Austin is still something WWE officials would like to have happen, there has been more consideration towards a program with Daniel Bryan as of late, as we noted here on DWN. One of the biggest things Punk has been frustrated with lately is the lack of long-term booking in regards to his character.
12/19:
As WrestleMania XXX gets closer, negotiations continue between WWE and Bill Goldberg for a return at WrestleMania XXX. Word now is that both sides are very close to agreeing on money but Goldberg has an issue with his potential opponent. Ryback is no longer considered a lock for Goldberg’s return opponent.
Ryback is still in WWE’s doghouse but sources close to Goldberg indicate he’s wondering why he would even return just to put over a guy who has been “losing left and right.” It’s possible that WWE begins a major re-start with Ryback’s character and push but with how things are now, Goldberg is interested in facing someone different.
This idea has not been presented to Goldberg at last word but one idea going around WWE would see The Shield split before WrestleMania, Roman Reigns beginning his major singles push and going on to face Goldberg at WrestleMania XXX.
It’s no secret that Goldberg has issues with how he is booked and while he doesn’t mind putting someone over, he’s been reluctant to accept a role that would call for him to be the heel.
12/24:
We’ve noted before how Vince McMahon has been very stressed out over how slow the top matches for WrestleMania XXX were coming together. Coming out of RAW, it’s said that Vince is feeling a lot better about things with Batista being signed and other top matches being decided on like The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar and Triple H vs. John Cena.
A source close to Vince notes that he will likely feel good about the card even if they can’t agree on deals with Hulk Hogan and Bill Goldberg. However, as of this past weekend WWE is still trying to lock those two stars in for the big show.
Regarding Shawn Michaels, apparently officials are feeling like the chances of him returning are better than ever.
Vince sees WrestleMania XXX as a show where all hands must be on deck and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it special.
12/31:
-The Rock did another #RockTalk chat on Twitter this afternoon. A fan asked him if he would be returning for WrestleMania XXX. Rock says he, Vince McMahon and Brock Lesnar had plans for a Rock vs. Brock match in 2014 but that won’t be happening. Rock added that there’s a chance he will return for WrestleMania 31.
1/1:
-The Wrestling Observer Newsletter recently reported that Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena was the current plan for the main event at WrestleMania XXX but that’s not the case.
Word going around WWE is that Cena vs. Wyatt was not something discussed recently. The idea of doing that match came up over a month ago with the idea that Wyatt could win the Royal Rumble and challenge Cena for the title at WrestleMania XXX. However, this storyline was mapped out before WWE made the decision to unify the titles at TLC, before they made Randy Orton champion and before the announcement of Batista’s return.
There’s now a feeling within WWE that Batista will win the Rumble and challenge whoever has the title at WrestleMania XXX. This doesn’t mean that we won’t see Wyatt vs. Cena down the line, but most likely not at WrestleMania XXX as WWE has other plans for Cena at the big event.
Source: PWInsider
1/3:
-Another idea that was discussed for Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania XXX is to have him team with John Cena and Daniel Bryan to face The Wyatt Family in a six-man match.
There’s a feeling that Hogan won’t be able to pass the physical so he won’t end up wrestling but it’s possible WWE doctors can let him go out and do very limited physical work.
-We noted before that Batista is back in WWE for likely the next two years. He actually wanted to come in for a “final run” as opposed to just WrestleMania XXX season.
Source: F4Wonline.com
-For what it’s worth, it’s said that Triple H vs. CM Punk for WrestleMania XXX is a lock. Plans are to do another “Summer of Punk” style program, possibly leading to Punk vs. Batista at SummerSlam.
-The feeling is that when Roman Reigns turns babyface and splits from The Shield, likely in February, that he will be replaced with a new member in the group. Mason Ryan’s name has been discussed.
Source: F4Wonline.com
1/4:
PWInsider reports that current plans call for Van Dam to return to the company for WrestleMania XXX season at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view later this month. WWE wanted to lock RVD in through Extreme Rules in April, but that was longer than the 90 day window he had agreed to. Its being said that his appearance at Booker T’s promotion could be a warm-up for his return but it’s not confirmed that he will be wrestling that night.
-As noted before, WWE has discussed Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan and John Cena working together in the main event at WrestleMania XXX. Ideas discussed include Cena and Hogan vs. Piper and another heel, Hogan and Piper vs. Swagger and Cesaro or Hogan vs. Piper in a Legends singles match.
Word is that Piper himself has pitched the idea of teaming with another heel to face Hogan and Cena with the idea that it would play off the WrestleMania I main event, which saw Hogan and Mr. T defeat Piper and Paul Orndorff.
1/5:
The battle between Vince and Triple H for the “control of WWE” is still scheduled to be the top storyline for WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans.
WWE officials have been working on ideas to kick off the big angle between Triple H and Vince for the “control of WWE” and that’s expected to begin shortly after the Royal Rumble.
1/6:
We’ve noted before that there is some concern among WWE officials about how physical of a match Brock Lesnar works, going into the planned match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX. Word now is that Taker is in rough shape after having hip surgery last year.
With things going south for Ryback and his big push, it was recently discussed to have Goldberg challenge for The Streak at WrestleMania XXX. With that said, one source believes WWE will stick to the original plan of Lesnar vs. Undertaker.
1/7:
One of WWE’s goals during the early part of WrestleMania XXX season is to re-build Brock Lesnar as a destroyer because his win-loss record since returning to WWE doesn’t do him any favors. Officials want him very strong for The Undertaker at WrestleMania, if they stick to that plan.
WWE had this in mind when scripting Lesnar to “dislocate and fracture” Mark Henry’s elbow at the Old School RAW. Lesnar is expected to go over Big Show at Royal Rumble and word is they’re planning a big F5 spot.
1/8:
A major point of discussion backstage at this week’s RAW Old School special was the status of Hulk Hogan returning to WWE. While there isn’t much of an update other than Hogan is still in play for WrestleMania XXX and the Network, many of the Legends were talking about it.
Speaking of Legends, the surprise return of Jake “The Snake” Roberts can be credited to Triple H. Word is that Triple H has been pushing for surprise returns on live TV because it creates shock in the audience. Triple H is very big on keeping Legends affiliated with the company.
-There was a feeling backstage at Monday’s Old School RAW that Jake Roberts is a lock for the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame. No word yet if he will be brought in for the Royal Rumble but since he returned on RAW, it’s less likely now.
Partial source: F4Wonline.com
1/9:
-As noted, the WWE Network will show Chris Benoit footage but an advisory message will be shown before he appears. In an update, word is that any show that features Benoit will have the advisory message that plays at the beginning, stating that all characters on this show are purely fictional.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
1/12:
-A title unification match between WWE United States Champion Dean Ambrose and WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston is likely for the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view next month.
Source: F4Wonline.com
1/13:
We noted before via The Wrestling Observer that The Undertaker had requested to work with Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX but no more details were available. We now have an update.
More than one WWE source has confirmed Taker’s request. Apparently Taker himself is worried about facing Brock Lesnar in a match that might be too physical for Taker’s recently surgically repaired hip, and that’s why he requested Bryan. It’s no secret that WWE officials have been concerned over how physical Lesnar is.
However, the bigger note here is the indecisiveness regarding who will be challenging for The Streak less than three months out from the big event.
-There is now a deal in place for Hulk Hogan to return to WWE and he’s expected to sign any time now.
As late as last Monday night going into Tuesday night before the Network announcement on Wednesday, officials in WWE’s TV department were aware of Hogan’s return and were preparing to reveal him along with the Network presentation. At one point, mentions of Hogan returning were written into the script that WWE used on the teleprompter at the Network event in Las Vegas.
One person in the know speculated that he wasn’t announced with the Network because bringing Hogan back at the same time the Network is announced may have made Hogan seem bigger when all of the attention needed to be on the Network.
Hogan will be appearing at WrestleMania XXX in some fashion.
1/14:
As seen on this week’s RAW, WWE quickly ended the Daniel Wyatt storyline and had Daniel Bryan turn on Bray Wyatt inside a steel cage. Word coming out of RAW is that Bryan wasn’t scheduled to turn on Bray until WrestleMania XXX but the decision was made over the weekend to turn him because WWE didn’t want to miss out on the big opportunity as more time went by having him work as a heel.
Also, a source reports that what happened at the Michigan State University game last week with the entire crowd chanting “yes” gave WWE officials further proof they needed to be taking full advantage of the Daniel Bryan momentum.
-We noted before that WWE recently resolved their issues with Roddy Piper because they want him to be a part of WrestleMania XXX weekend. WWE wants Piper and other WrestleMania I stars, mainly the main event participants, to headline the Hall of Fame ceremony that weekend.
The idea being pitched within WWE would see Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Mr. T and Paul Orndorff to be inducted, making it the first time ever that a match itself is inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s possible that Jimmy Snuka and Bob Orton, who also participated in the WrestleMania I main event, could be inducted as well. Inducting a match into the Hall of Fame opens the door for similar inductions in the future.
Mr. T has reportedly turned down WWE in the past but word now is that officials recently reached out to him and are negotiating. If this plan goes through, obviously it would make Hogan, Piper, Orndorff, Orton and Snuka two-time Hall of Famers like Ric Flair.
-WWE is expected to announce a Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt singles match for the Royal Rumble on next week’s RAW.
dailywrestlingnews.com
Just goes to show how often things change.. Still hoping for Bryan vs Punk for the Title in the Main Event, but it doesn't look good :chuckles:
11/23:
We’ve been covering how Vince McMahon is unhappy with WrestleMania XXX already due to matches not being locked in and top stars not committing to the show yet. We also recently noted on DWN that Vince was interested in having Shawn Michaels come out of retirement against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX.
With so many big matches being up in the air for next year in New Orleans, one match WWE could surely deliver on is CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan. Word is that Vince isn’t interested in that match at WrestleMania because of his interest in Michaels returning. Vince wants multiple big names on the show and is obsessed with reproducing the results he received when he brought back The Rock.
11/25:
Talks between WWE and Hulk Hogan continue and word is that Hogan has expressed interest in wrestling some kind of match at WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans against John Cena. However, word also is that Triple H is leaning towards Cena being his opponent for WrestleMania XXX.
Triple H and Vince McMahon do not want Hogan’s deal to return be contingent on Hogan getting a match with Cena at WrestleMania. Big Show actually pitched an idea of having Hogan and himself take on Triple H and Randy Orton but key people in WWE creative don’t think they can stretch the feud between Triple H and Show until then. Also, Triple H and Vince both prefer there be a singles match where Triple H faces Vince’s “hand-picked opponent.”
As always, plans can and do change, but it’s said that if WrestleMania XXX happened right now the match would be Cena vs. Triple H.
11/26:
There is said to be a bit of a disconnect between Triple H and Vince McMahon right now. A WWE source says this is a reason for the lack of flow in the WWE product lately. It’s not that the two don’t get along because they do, they get along great, it’s just that they don’t seem to be putting their ideas together and making things work as of late.
One example is Big E Langston being the guy that Vince really wants to focus on while Roman Reigns is the guy that Triple H is more set on pushing.
11/28:
- The angle with The Shield attacking CM Punk after The Wyatt Family kidnapped Daniel Bryan on Monday’s RAW was a last minute plan and was not on RAW’s original script. No word yet on where they are going with it but everyone expects a huge feud between The Shield and The Wyatt Family at some point.
12/4:
WWE’s booking on the fly was a hot topic backstage at Monday’s RAW with the booking of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. One WWE source commented how WWE has “gutted” the long-term booking of Punk and Bryan’s program, which originally had them feuding with The Wyatt Family and possibly leading to a match between the two. It was noted last week that WWE now has zero plans for Punk and Bryan to feud but with the way things are constantly changing these days, that also could change.
In one week, WWE has blown off Punk vs. The Wyatts and moved him to The Shield while also moving Bryan away from Punk and moving him to The Wyatt Family. The plan for CM Punk going forward is to possibly align him with other babyfaces to continue the feud with The Shield.
There has been talk about breaking up The Shield, and while that will happen eventually, many feel it’s just way too early.
12/7:
Going into this past Monday’s RAW from Oklahoma City, WWE was looking to do three main events for WrestleMania XXX, two of which have been rumored – Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker and Triple H vs. John Cena. The other is a match that PWInsider recently reported was nowhere in WWE’s plans but apparently it has come up – CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan.
Vince McMahon is said to be less than thrilled with those top 3 matches so it’s very much subject to change. With the crazy Punk and Bryan booking that we’ve recently posted about, it’s possible they’ve already lost interest in Punk vs. Bryan.
Triple H is pushing for the match with Cena, which is why there is no push to sign Hulk Hogan on the contingency of a WrestleMania match like we’ve noted in the last few weeks. Regarding Taker vs. Lesnar, it’s said Taker has been pushing for that match for a long time.
12/11:
We’ve noted before how both Triple H and Shawn Michaels were interested in having Daniel Bryan vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXX and how Vince was upset that the match wasn’t working out because Shawn wasn’t interested in coming out of retirement.
Word from this week’s RAW is that both Vince and Triple H talked to Shawn about coming out of retirement for the match against Bryan and he does seem more receptive then he was at first. Originally, Shawn wasn’t believed to have put much thought into it.
Still, one WWE source doesn’t expect Shawn will want to come out of retirement when the decision has to be made.
-Word from Monday’s Slammys RAW from Seattle was that Randy Orton expressed anger backstage at John Cena’s promo that happened in the Championship Ascension ceremony. This is something that used to happen early in Orton’s career when he was known for getting frustrated with crowds. Cena was “shooting” during his promo about Daniel Bryan because he knew what the crowd wanted and how not to get booed.
A WWE source called it a brilliant move and said it was one of the best promos Cena has had in years, maybe ever.
-Also coming out of RAW, the talk was that they’re going “full steam ahead” with Brodus Clay’s heel turn and it’s believed he is reverting back to his old monster gimmick.
12/12:
It’s been reported in recent months about how there hasn’t been much certainty regarding The Rock’s WWE future. There was talk of him appearing at Hell In a Cell from his hometown of Miami to kick off a WrestleMania XXX angle but obviously that never happened and it doesn’t look like he will be returning for next year’s big event.
The talk at Monday’s Slammys RAW was that the fact there wasn’t even a pre-recorded message featuring The Rock, in case he won a Slammy which he did, is very telling about his current status with the company. It was mentioned at RAW that there are currently no plans to utilize him any further.
12/17:
We noted earlier this week here on DWN that word going around backstage at Sunday’s WWE TLC pay-per-view was that CM Punk is penciled in to feud with new WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton in early 2014.
The other Punk related talk going around at TLC was that the company is planning on pushing Punk as the anti-corporate Superstar once again.
If WWE decides to go in that direction, it would be a stopgap to Punk’s program at WrestleMania XXX. While the dream match against Steve Austin is still something WWE officials would like to have happen, there has been more consideration towards a program with Daniel Bryan as of late, as we noted here on DWN. One of the biggest things Punk has been frustrated with lately is the lack of long-term booking in regards to his character.
12/19:
As WrestleMania XXX gets closer, negotiations continue between WWE and Bill Goldberg for a return at WrestleMania XXX. Word now is that both sides are very close to agreeing on money but Goldberg has an issue with his potential opponent. Ryback is no longer considered a lock for Goldberg’s return opponent.
Ryback is still in WWE’s doghouse but sources close to Goldberg indicate he’s wondering why he would even return just to put over a guy who has been “losing left and right.” It’s possible that WWE begins a major re-start with Ryback’s character and push but with how things are now, Goldberg is interested in facing someone different.
This idea has not been presented to Goldberg at last word but one idea going around WWE would see The Shield split before WrestleMania, Roman Reigns beginning his major singles push and going on to face Goldberg at WrestleMania XXX.
It’s no secret that Goldberg has issues with how he is booked and while he doesn’t mind putting someone over, he’s been reluctant to accept a role that would call for him to be the heel.
12/24:
We’ve noted before how Vince McMahon has been very stressed out over how slow the top matches for WrestleMania XXX were coming together. Coming out of RAW, it’s said that Vince is feeling a lot better about things with Batista being signed and other top matches being decided on like The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar and Triple H vs. John Cena.
A source close to Vince notes that he will likely feel good about the card even if they can’t agree on deals with Hulk Hogan and Bill Goldberg. However, as of this past weekend WWE is still trying to lock those two stars in for the big show.
Regarding Shawn Michaels, apparently officials are feeling like the chances of him returning are better than ever.
Vince sees WrestleMania XXX as a show where all hands must be on deck and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it special.
12/31:
-The Rock did another #RockTalk chat on Twitter this afternoon. A fan asked him if he would be returning for WrestleMania XXX. Rock says he, Vince McMahon and Brock Lesnar had plans for a Rock vs. Brock match in 2014 but that won’t be happening. Rock added that there’s a chance he will return for WrestleMania 31.
1/1:
-The Wrestling Observer Newsletter recently reported that Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena was the current plan for the main event at WrestleMania XXX but that’s not the case.
Word going around WWE is that Cena vs. Wyatt was not something discussed recently. The idea of doing that match came up over a month ago with the idea that Wyatt could win the Royal Rumble and challenge Cena for the title at WrestleMania XXX. However, this storyline was mapped out before WWE made the decision to unify the titles at TLC, before they made Randy Orton champion and before the announcement of Batista’s return.
There’s now a feeling within WWE that Batista will win the Rumble and challenge whoever has the title at WrestleMania XXX. This doesn’t mean that we won’t see Wyatt vs. Cena down the line, but most likely not at WrestleMania XXX as WWE has other plans for Cena at the big event.
Source: PWInsider
1/3:
-Another idea that was discussed for Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania XXX is to have him team with John Cena and Daniel Bryan to face The Wyatt Family in a six-man match.
There’s a feeling that Hogan won’t be able to pass the physical so he won’t end up wrestling but it’s possible WWE doctors can let him go out and do very limited physical work.
-We noted before that Batista is back in WWE for likely the next two years. He actually wanted to come in for a “final run” as opposed to just WrestleMania XXX season.
Source: F4Wonline.com
-For what it’s worth, it’s said that Triple H vs. CM Punk for WrestleMania XXX is a lock. Plans are to do another “Summer of Punk” style program, possibly leading to Punk vs. Batista at SummerSlam.
-The feeling is that when Roman Reigns turns babyface and splits from The Shield, likely in February, that he will be replaced with a new member in the group. Mason Ryan’s name has been discussed.
Source: F4Wonline.com
1/4:
PWInsider reports that current plans call for Van Dam to return to the company for WrestleMania XXX season at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view later this month. WWE wanted to lock RVD in through Extreme Rules in April, but that was longer than the 90 day window he had agreed to. Its being said that his appearance at Booker T’s promotion could be a warm-up for his return but it’s not confirmed that he will be wrestling that night.
-As noted before, WWE has discussed Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan and John Cena working together in the main event at WrestleMania XXX. Ideas discussed include Cena and Hogan vs. Piper and another heel, Hogan and Piper vs. Swagger and Cesaro or Hogan vs. Piper in a Legends singles match.
Word is that Piper himself has pitched the idea of teaming with another heel to face Hogan and Cena with the idea that it would play off the WrestleMania I main event, which saw Hogan and Mr. T defeat Piper and Paul Orndorff.
1/5:
The battle between Vince and Triple H for the “control of WWE” is still scheduled to be the top storyline for WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans.
WWE officials have been working on ideas to kick off the big angle between Triple H and Vince for the “control of WWE” and that’s expected to begin shortly after the Royal Rumble.
1/6:
We’ve noted before that there is some concern among WWE officials about how physical of a match Brock Lesnar works, going into the planned match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX. Word now is that Taker is in rough shape after having hip surgery last year.
With things going south for Ryback and his big push, it was recently discussed to have Goldberg challenge for The Streak at WrestleMania XXX. With that said, one source believes WWE will stick to the original plan of Lesnar vs. Undertaker.
1/7:
One of WWE’s goals during the early part of WrestleMania XXX season is to re-build Brock Lesnar as a destroyer because his win-loss record since returning to WWE doesn’t do him any favors. Officials want him very strong for The Undertaker at WrestleMania, if they stick to that plan.
WWE had this in mind when scripting Lesnar to “dislocate and fracture” Mark Henry’s elbow at the Old School RAW. Lesnar is expected to go over Big Show at Royal Rumble and word is they’re planning a big F5 spot.
1/8:
A major point of discussion backstage at this week’s RAW Old School special was the status of Hulk Hogan returning to WWE. While there isn’t much of an update other than Hogan is still in play for WrestleMania XXX and the Network, many of the Legends were talking about it.
Speaking of Legends, the surprise return of Jake “The Snake” Roberts can be credited to Triple H. Word is that Triple H has been pushing for surprise returns on live TV because it creates shock in the audience. Triple H is very big on keeping Legends affiliated with the company.
-There was a feeling backstage at Monday’s Old School RAW that Jake Roberts is a lock for the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame. No word yet if he will be brought in for the Royal Rumble but since he returned on RAW, it’s less likely now.
Partial source: F4Wonline.com
1/9:
-As noted, the WWE Network will show Chris Benoit footage but an advisory message will be shown before he appears. In an update, word is that any show that features Benoit will have the advisory message that plays at the beginning, stating that all characters on this show are purely fictional.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
1/12:
-A title unification match between WWE United States Champion Dean Ambrose and WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston is likely for the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view next month.
Source: F4Wonline.com
1/13:
We noted before via The Wrestling Observer that The Undertaker had requested to work with Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX but no more details were available. We now have an update.
More than one WWE source has confirmed Taker’s request. Apparently Taker himself is worried about facing Brock Lesnar in a match that might be too physical for Taker’s recently surgically repaired hip, and that’s why he requested Bryan. It’s no secret that WWE officials have been concerned over how physical Lesnar is.
However, the bigger note here is the indecisiveness regarding who will be challenging for The Streak less than three months out from the big event.
-There is now a deal in place for Hulk Hogan to return to WWE and he’s expected to sign any time now.
As late as last Monday night going into Tuesday night before the Network announcement on Wednesday, officials in WWE’s TV department were aware of Hogan’s return and were preparing to reveal him along with the Network presentation. At one point, mentions of Hogan returning were written into the script that WWE used on the teleprompter at the Network event in Las Vegas.
One person in the know speculated that he wasn’t announced with the Network because bringing Hogan back at the same time the Network is announced may have made Hogan seem bigger when all of the attention needed to be on the Network.
Hogan will be appearing at WrestleMania XXX in some fashion.
1/14:
As seen on this week’s RAW, WWE quickly ended the Daniel Wyatt storyline and had Daniel Bryan turn on Bray Wyatt inside a steel cage. Word coming out of RAW is that Bryan wasn’t scheduled to turn on Bray until WrestleMania XXX but the decision was made over the weekend to turn him because WWE didn’t want to miss out on the big opportunity as more time went by having him work as a heel.
Also, a source reports that what happened at the Michigan State University game last week with the entire crowd chanting “yes” gave WWE officials further proof they needed to be taking full advantage of the Daniel Bryan momentum.
-We noted before that WWE recently resolved their issues with Roddy Piper because they want him to be a part of WrestleMania XXX weekend. WWE wants Piper and other WrestleMania I stars, mainly the main event participants, to headline the Hall of Fame ceremony that weekend.
The idea being pitched within WWE would see Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Mr. T and Paul Orndorff to be inducted, making it the first time ever that a match itself is inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s possible that Jimmy Snuka and Bob Orton, who also participated in the WrestleMania I main event, could be inducted as well. Inducting a match into the Hall of Fame opens the door for similar inductions in the future.
Mr. T has reportedly turned down WWE in the past but word now is that officials recently reached out to him and are negotiating. If this plan goes through, obviously it would make Hogan, Piper, Orndorff, Orton and Snuka two-time Hall of Famers like Ric Flair.
-WWE is expected to announce a Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt singles match for the Royal Rumble on next week’s RAW.
dailywrestlingnews.com
Just goes to show how often things change.. Still hoping for Bryan vs Punk for the Title in the Main Event, but it doesn't look good :chuckles: