The Undertaker Return, Roman Reigns Whole Turn ?, Brock Lesnar Contract, More

Details here: https://t.co/ME1xQlrc8b pic.twitter.com/77l5RgEMcD [19659019] – IWNerd.com (@ InnerN3rd) August 13, 2018

WHAT IS ELS NEW?

• Raw was slightly higher to a average of 2.825 million viewers after an average of 2.804 million last week, and that small increase is a bit of a disappointment for a go-home show.
• SmackDown drew only 2.18 9 million viewers one of the lowest songs the show has ever done on the American network, which is surprising because the show has been so late.
• Although Dean Ambrose has rumored to turn a potential heel on Seth Rollins Ambrose is advertised to team with Rollins on Hell in a Cell to appoint Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler take, which is certainly logical given the way they are all booked recently
• Miz and Mrs. & nbsp; is already renewed for a second season a great sign for The Miz, which should be pushed as one of WWE's biggest stars because of the success of his reality show and his fantastic work on SmackDown .
• Rob Van Dam indicated that he had discussions with WWE about a return, but chose not to return because he thought he was low embalmed & nbsp; by the company, but with WWE it seems to be more open to big expenses for languages ​​Nowadays that may change.
• According to SEScoops.com John Cena " will collaborate with & nbsp; Bobby Lashley and Finn Balor against Elias, Baron Corbin and Jinder Mahal" a t the live event of 1 September in Shanghai, China, indicating that Cena could feuding with one of these three stars on TV in the near future.
• Because of a number of career-threatening injuries ] Matt Hardy takes a moment off & nbsp; and possibly makes a switch to a role as a backstage producer. There is also chatter that [Jason9092] Jason Jordan may not be released to wrestle again & nbsp; and could also make the transition to a role as an agent / producer.
• WWE is currently planning on & nbsp; a Four Horsewomen vs. Four Horsewomen match at Survivor Series and with all four Horsmans of MMA now under contract (not to mention the pure starring power on both sides), this is certainly a feud that the creative team should do at a large show as Evolution, Survivor Series or even WrestleMania.
• According to Cageside Seats " Hope is Sami Zayn will be back in time for & nbsp; WrestleMania 35 & nbsp; next year," and Zayn is hard needed at a time when Raw lacks the heel department.
• Ronda Rousey said that she wants to extend her WWE career so she can stay for much longer than a year or two as originally expected.
• Rey Myst erio was drawn from an upcoming indie appearance because of "his contractual situation with WWE," & nbsp; suggests that his return to the company is around the corner.
• It has been said that WrestleMania 37 takes place in Los Angeles and in the air on FOX but because the event is so far away, you should not be surprised if that changes between now and then. Minnesota is also the precursor to land WrestleMania 36 & nbsp; while Toronto is expected to welcome SummerSlam next year .
• Triple H indicated that he is not sure exactly what is going on with Neville who left the company scandalously since last autumn and has not been seen since then despite a contract with WWE.
• A report indicates that Chris Jericho will appear at Impact Wrestling & # 39; s Bound for Glory in October a potential change in the game that could have long-term consequences for the world of struggles. Jericho recently said that he & nbsp; would work for companies other than WWE in the US with which he paved the way for & nbsp; who made the rumor about Impact's debut.
• EVOLVE manager Stokely Hathaway can be WWE bound and during the time that managers have become a lost art, he is easily one of the best.
• Although she received good reviews for her historical commentary on Raw, Renee Young is not expected to join the red brand announces team on a full-time basis anytime.
• Despite reports to the contrary, Asuka did not come from WWE & nbsp; and "does not intend to leave the company." Although it would be understandable for Asuka to be angry at the booking of her character, it is unlikely she would do what Neville did and refused to work for WWE, which his career in trouble.
• Big Show, who has missed everything from 2018 with an injury, said he hopes to be erased to wrestle again this week, although it seems unlikely that he would have a consistent TV role, even if that would happen.

Blake Oestriecher is a primary school teacher during the day and a sports writer at night. He contributes to @ForbesSports where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher .

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WWE Is considering a Braun Strowman or Roman reigns heels turn?

One of Raw's upper babyfaces can go to the dark side.

According to the Wrestling Observer (h / t Cageside Seats), upcoming Raw live event ads suggest that Braun Strowman or Roman Reigns might turn around:

Plans for Roman Reigns versus Braun Strowman to give house shows after SummerSlam there has taken care … that WWE is considering turning one or the other heel. 19659042] Strowman vs Reigns is also billed as the sky cup match for the special WWE event on September 1 in Shanghai, China, which certainly adds some fuel to the fire.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR WWE?

WWE had a golden opportunity to become Reigns whole by adapting it to Paul Heyman at SummerSlam, but judging from their segment in this week's Raw, that opportunity has already disappeared.

Of course, WWE seems to be pretty hesitant to change, maybe heels because Reigns is a good choice to become the face of WWE, at least in part because of its appeal and strong merchandise. You could argue that changing Reigns would make him an even bigger star, especially in a time when WWE has an abundance of fantastic babyfaces that Reigns could work with on Raw or SmackDown. As evidenced by WWE's list of top merchandise movers, names like Seth Rollins, Finn Balor and Strowman are all popular enough to wear the babyface side of Raw, and with Reigns clearly in a position where he would benefit from a heel turn , why not pull the trigger at SummerSlam?

The widespread speculation is that Reigns Brock will beat Lesnar on SummerSlam and then immediately lose the Universal Championship via a Strowman stake. That would increase the already high popularity of Strowman even higher and at the same time lay the foundation for the much-needed chopping of Reigns. Imagine this: losing government, seeing how happy the fans are that he lost and then using that as motivation to focus on Strowman, chopping and re-fueling their once-great rivalry in the process.

That could explain why WWE intends to do Strowman vs Regards as the celestial moth match as its fall-living events because now is not the time to change the wildly popular Strowman heel. Strowman is, together with Rollins, the most popular star of WWE, so combining him in a kaskrakavet with a new heel Reigns this fall could work a long way towards keeping watchers in a time when they usually get out. Although WWE is unlikely to do such a storyline, fans can dream, right?

Because WWE traditionally does not like to build live events with headlining competitions around face / face matches, there is perhaps more than enough to hear rumors about a potential heel turn for Reigns or even for Strowman.

CHECK THIS OUT

Why @ WWERmaontoonen is the champion @WWE fans do not realize that they really need #SummerSlam #BrockRoman @YahooSports @AntSulla https://t.co/GGaZ2AfQCa

– WWE Public Relations (@WWEPR) August 14, 2018

Latest update on The Undertaker & # 39; s TV Return

Source: WWE.com Credit: WWE.com

WHAT IS THE DEAL?

The Undertaker returns to the blue mark

According to WrestlingInc, "The Deadman" is scheduled to appear in SmackDown's upcoming 1,000th episode in October:

The Undertak is advertised for the 1,000th episode of SmackDown on Tuesday 16 October from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC … As noted, Taker is also scheduled to appear at the upcoming WWE Super Show-Down event in the Melbourne Cricket Grounds in Melbourne, Australia ten days earlier on Saturday 6 October.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR WWE?

Ever rumored that it would be in line for a SummerSlam contest with John Cena, the Undertaker is no longer expected to appear on WWE's # 2 pay-per-view, and it seems that WWE will continue to use it as an attraction for special events.

The last time The Undertaker appeared on SmackDown was for its 900th episode in 2016, and its advertised return boosted viewership with as many as 800,000 viewers, showing why it was primarily used as a part-time draw. Based on the fact that The Undertaker is advertised for only one episode of SmackDown, that would mean that his appearance on the show is probably just a one-off. However, WWE may consider bringing Undertaker back to TV as and when it is ready, especially as the company has to provide strong ratings for SmackDown in preparation for its move to FOX next year.

The Undertaker is expected to struggle more often than usual this year, and he is certainly on pace to do so. But his last two matches, at the Greatest Royal Rumble and the Madison Square Garden live event, were nothing more than one-time performances that did not include a storyline. The same will apply to Taker's Super Show-Down match with Triple H, which is probably a one-off. However, there continues to be speculation about Undertaker who rediscovers his feud with Cena, based both on recent reports and on Undertaker who teases a potential rematch on Instagram.

In all likelihood, TV viewers and ratings for both Raw and SmackDown will struggle this fall as they tend to do so, so with Undertaker apparently willing to wrestle more games than at any time in the last couple of years has done, perhaps his planned appearance on SmackDown 1000 will lead to an adult feud that can help WWE fight the heavy fall TV competition.

VIEW THIS

The Undertaker has advertised for WWE SmackDown 1000 https://t.co/xMIKXMCScW pic.twitter.com/nz2HjarDVI

– Wrestling Observer (@ WONF4W) August 15 , 2018

Daniel Bryan says he almost signs again at WWE

Credit: WWE.com Credits: WWE.com

WHAT & # 39; S THE DEAL? [19659004] If recent signs are an indication, Daniel Bryan looks to stay with WWE.

According to Cageside Seats, Bryan is seen in ads for SmackDown's 1000th episode and is also a focus of WWE 2K19 both of which suggest that he is not going anywhere:

Undertaker becomes currently advertised for SmackDown 1000 on October 16th. Currently advertised agreements include AJ Styles versus Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan versus The Miz.

Speaking of Bryan, that ad, as well as his participation in WWE 2K19, is being speculated that he has signed a new deal with WWE as previously rumored.

An advertisement for the 1,000th episode of SmackDown, which can be seen in the tweet below, shows Bryan strikingly next to Styles and De Undertaker. At that show Bryan is advertised to face The Miz as part of his triple main event.

Has not signed anything, right? pic.twitter.com/fudYVyfcZv

– Sean Ross Sapp or Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 14, 2018

And the biggest sign that Bryan will stay with WWE? In an interview about Sam Robert's Wrestling Podcast (h / t Pro Wrestling Sheet), Bryan had the following to say regarding his contract status:

I think it is currently 90-plus-percent. I would say that I'm likely to sign with WWE … I have not signed it yet, but it can happen as fast as the end of this week, and it can take a few weeks longer or whatever it is . "[19659042] Certainly in view of the intriguing storyline drama created by the uncertainty of Bryan's contractual situation, it is certainly feasible that he is working" fans "and has already been signed. Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h / t Cageside Seats) reports that, although Bryan has not officially signed a new deal, he " has reached agreement on most important issues."

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR WWE?

WWE announced that the "Showcase" made for the WWE 2K19 video game would revolve around Bryan, making it highly unlikely that the company would fail to re-sign it at the same time that it will be marketing a groot deel van zijn videogame rond de aantrekkingskracht van het volgen van Bryan's onvergetelijke WWE-reis.

W Zo werd Bryan zo een cruciaal stuk van WWE 2K19 en ook geadverteerd voor de 1.0 00ste aflevering van SmackDown (om nog te zwijgen van het Super Show-Down evenement in oktober en het Madison Square Garden live-evenement in december ), het zou niets minder dan een grote verrassing zijn als hij nog niet opnieuw met het bedrijf heeft getekend. In feite meldde Fightful.com vorige maand dat Bryan, ondanks rapporten van het tegendeel, al akkoord was gegaan met een nieuwe tweejarige deal om bij WWE te blijven.

Natuurlijk hebben anderen gemeld dat WWE "overstuur" is dat Bryan heeft niet opnieuw getekend bij het bedrijf, maar hoewel er geen officiële bevestiging is van Bryan of WWE dat hij opnieuw ondertekend heeft, heeft het bedrijf zoveel moeite gedaan om hem weer een topact op SmackDown te maken dat het Het zou moeilijk zijn om je voor te stellen dat het creatieve team dat zou doen als het niet zeker was dat Bryan zou blijven. Hoewel Bryan altijd in de verleiding is gekomen om terug te keren naar de Indië, bevindt hij zich naast Styles nu als de nr. 1 of 2 babyface op SmackDown, en op veel manieren het gezicht van het blauwe merk.

Hoewel Bryan waarschijnlijk de grootste ster zou zijn in de onafhankelijke worstelscene, is dat beter dan een van de grootste sterren in WWE te zijn? Waarschijnlijk niet. WWE heeft fantastisch werk geleverd door de vete van Bryan te boeken bij The Miz, en hij lijkt goed op weg om de kaart op te heffen en zich in de nabije toekomst terug te vechten naar het WWE kampioenschap. En met WWE die zoveel hints laat vallen dat hij nergens heen gaat, is er reden om te geloven dat hij ofwel opnieuw ondertekend is of opnieuw tekent bij WWE en zich begin 2019 zal gaan strijden voor wereldtitels.

CHECK THIS OUT

JA! JA! JA! # 2KShowcase is TERUG in # WWE2K19 chroniqueur van de ongelooflijke carrière van @WWEDanielBryan ! @WWEgames https://t.co/gH1cPlYhYn https://t.co/tnArY6UkFg

– WWE (@WWE) 14 augustus 2018

Brock Lesnar Set To Meet Met WWE Officials Prior to SummerSlam

Credit: WWE.com Credit: WWE.com

WAT IS DE DEAL?

De WWE-toekomst van Brock Lesnar kan worden besloten deze zondag voordat SummerSlam zelfs doorgaat met de air.

According to Joe Peisich of Barnburner's Fired Up podcast (h/t Ringside News), Lesnar will meet with WWE officials this Sunday several hours before his scheduled match against Reigns:

Apparently Sunday around 4 o'clock, Brock Lesnar will have a closed-door meeting with the head honchos, maybe Stephanie, Triple H, Vince, or whatever. I don’t know what that meeting’s about. But, if he retains the title you can expect Brock Lesnar will be working for both WWE and UFC.

He is having and I’ve been told this by 3 sources, he’s having a closed-door meeting with the head honchos of WWE hours before his matchup with Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.

It's also noted that "the finish [for Reigns vs. Lesnar] is up in the air," leading to speculation that Lesnar will be meeting with Vince McMahon, Triple H and/or Stephanie McMahon to discuss his future with the company.

WHAT'S IT MEAN FOR WWE?

The widespread belief is that Lesnar wants to work for both UFC and WWE moving forward, but to make that happen, he will need to reach a new deal with WWE.

By virtually all accounts, Lesnar's current WWE contract expires this month, which is why there has been so much uncertainty regarding his future, the outcome of his SummerSlam match with Reigns and what lies ahead for the Universal Championsh ip. Although Dana White once said Vince McMahon wouldn't allow Lesnar to fight for UFC while under WWE contract again, he may not have a choice if he wants to retain Lesnar because The Beast's UFC return is already set in stone.

The good news for Lesnar is that WWE's new lucrative TV contracts and the need for the company to have marquee stars to build its TV product around put him in a good position to secure another great part-time deal to remain with WWE. The last time that Lesnar re-signed with WWE, right around WrestleMania earlier this year, he reportedly received a "substantial pay raise," which is hard to imagine given that he was already one of WWE's two highest paid stars, according to FORBES.

Alas, WWE believes Lesnar is a "transcendent star" and massive draw, which is why the company will do just about anything and everything it can to retain his services going forward. If that means paying him a little bit more, so be it. If that means extending his historic 500-plus day Universal title reign, then so be it. If that means only having him work a handful of matches per year, then so be it. WWE, after all, doesn't seem too concerned about upsetting fans by pushing Lesnar as its biggest star, even if negatively affects virtually every other star around him.

Thus, if and when Lesnar does meet with WWE officials prior to SummerSlam, don't be surprised if it results in "The Beast" inking another massive contract, the ramifications of which will be felt throughout the company, possibly for years to come.

CHECK THIS OUT

Speculation On The Plans For Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns At Summerslam

Details Here: https://t.co/ME1xQlrc8b pic.twitter.com/77l5RgEMcD

— IWNerd.com (@InnerN3rd) August 13, 2018

WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

• Raw was up slightly to an average of 2.825 million viewers after averaging 2.804 million the previous week, and that small increase is a bit of a disappointment for a go-home show.
• SmackDown drew just 2.189 million viewers, one of the lowest numbers the show has eve r done on the USA Network, which is surprising because the show has been tremendous as of late.
• Although Dean Ambrose is rumored for a potential heel turn on Seth Rollins, Ambrose is advertised to team with Rollins at Hell in a Cell to take on Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler, which certainly makes sense given the way they've all been booked recently.
• Miz and Mrs. has already been renewed for a second season, a great sign for The Miz, who should continue to be pushed as one of WWE's biggest stars because of the success of his reality show and his fantastic work on SmackDown.
• Rob Van Dam indicated he had discussions with WWE about a return but chose not to come back because he felt he was low-balled by the company, but with WWE seemingly being more open to spending big for talent these days, perhaps that will change.
• According to SEScoops.com, John Cena "will team up with Bobby Lashley and Finn Balor against Elias, Bar on Corbin and Jinder Mahal" at the September 1st live event in Shanghai, China, possibly indicating that Cena could be feuding with one of these three stars on TV in the near future.
• Due to a number of career-threatening injuries, Matt Hardy is taking time off and may be transitioning to a role as a backstage producer. There is also chatter that Jason Jordan may not be cleared to wrestle again and could also make the transition to a role as an agent/producer.
• WWE is currently planning on doing a Four Horsewomen vs. Four Horsewomen match at Survivor Series, and with all four of MMA's Horsewomen now under contract (not to mention the sheer star power on both sides), this is certainly a feud the creative team should do at a major show like Evolution, Survivor Series or even WrestleMania.
• According to Cageside Seats, "The hope is Sami Zayn will be back in time for WrestleMania 35 next year," and Zayn is badly needed at a time when Raw is sorely lacking in the heel department.
• Ronda Rousey said she would like to extend her WWE career, so she may stick around much longer than a year or two as was originally expected.
• Rey Mysterio was pulled from an upcoming indie appearance due to "his contractual situation with WWE," suggesti ng his return to the company is right around the corner.
• There is talk that WrestleMania 37 will take place in Los Angeles and air on FOX, but because the event is so far away, don't be surpris ed if that changes between now and then. Minnesota is also the frontrunner to land WrestleMania 36 while Toronto is expected to host SummerSlam next year.
• Triple H indicated that he isn't sure exactly what is on going on with Neville, who infamously quit the company last fall and hasn't been seen since then despite remaining under contract with WWE.
• One report indicates that Chris Jericho will be appearing at Impact Wrestling's Bound for Glory in October, a potential game-changing move that could have long-term ramifications across the pro wrestling world. Jericho recently said he would work for companies other than WWE in the US, paving the way for that rumored Impact debut.
• EVOLVE manager Stokely Hathaway may be WWE bound, and during a day and age where managers have become a lost art, he's easily one of the best.
• Although she received good reviews for her historic commentary on Raw, Renee Young is not expected to join the red brand's announce team on a full-time basis anytime soon.
• Despite reports to the contrary, Asuka did not walk out of WWE and "has no intention to leave the company." While it would be understandable for Asuka to be upset with the booking of her character, it's unlikely she would do what Neville did and refuse to work for WWE, which has put his career in limbo.
• Big Show, who has missed all of 2018 with an injury, said he hopes to be cleared to wrestle again this week, though it seems unlikely he would have a consistent TV role even if that does happen.

Blake Oestriecher is an elementary school teacher by day and a sports writer by night. He’s a contributor to @ForbesSports, where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher.