3 wrestling rumors we hope are true and 3 we hope aren't: Lesnar's WWE exit, NJPW causing issue with Moxley

Welcome to the first edition of another new series we're starting: 3 wrestling rumors we hope are true and 3 we hope aren't. As you know, the world of wrestling is filled with rumors all the time.

Sure, the number of rumors and the volume has increased entirely with the rapid rise of the internet, but wrestling rumours have been around even before the internet when it was printed on physical paper.

Slowly, online WWE forums began to emerge and people started spreading rumours more and discussing them. Now, they're a part of daily life for fans who read about wrestling on the internet. They say that all rumours must be taken with a grain of salt and we would encourage the same.

However, if you've been reading rumours long enough, you know exactly which tends to come true and which doesn't. Either way, we're not looking at that. We're looking at the rumours we hope are true and those we hope aren't.

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#3. We hope is true: WWE planning a new presentation for SmackDown Live

Big changes are coming

You probably know by now that since the FOX deal for SmackDown is beginning in November, there are a lot of presentation changes being planned by WWE. The biggest news regarding SmackDown was that Eric Bischoff has been hired as the Executive Director of the show.

However, WWE is reportedly going to start the changes from week 1 in October, giving it a very "sports-like" presentation. WWE is reportedly testing out new cameras and will try to give SmackDown a presentation that makes it look like boxing. This was all stated by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who further said that WWE wants to present themselves like a "minor league sport" as compared to AEW's "wrestling show" presentation.

This is good because WWE needs a major change and this is a welcome one.

#3. We hope isn't true: NJPW causing an issue with Jon Moxley's finisher

Jon Moxley in NJPW

Apart from just his indie appearances, Jon Moxley is notably appearing for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he defeated Juice Robinson in his debut to become the IWGP United States Champion at The Best of Super Juniors final.

He also showcased a new version of the "Dirty Deeds". It starts off in a similar position but looks far more brutal as Moxley lifts his opponent in the air and spikes them on the head with far more impact. He calls it the "Death Rider".

NJPW has been very quick to get on it, with the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reporting that they've already begun filing a trademark for merchandise purposes. This means that AEW won't be able to market "Death Rider" and it may become an issue when he uses it.

Hopefully, they're able to sort it out. If not, AEW and NJPW's relationship will start off rocky.

#2. We hope is true: Undertaker handpicking Drew McIntyre as his next opponent

Enter caption

The Undertaker sent shockwaves around the WWE Universe when he returned on RAW to save Roman Reigns from the beatdown by Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon. While The Undertaker teaming up with his WrestleMania 33 opponent doesn't make much storyline sense, there does seem to be some positive outline to it, based on the rumours.

Booker T and others have stated that The Undertaker probably wanted to return because he wasn't satisfied with the Goldberg match at WWE Super ShowDown 2019. While that must have played some part of it afterwards, reports from WON stated that the match was planned before Super ShowDown.

However, what's more interesting, is a rumour by Sports Illustrated, who stated that following Super ShowDown, The Undertaker has "hand-picked" Drew McIntyre to be his next opponent.

Granted he is able to remain healthy, it'll probably lead to a SummerSlam clash that McIntyre will be expected to win. It'll be a huge rub for him.

#2. We hope isn't true: Aleister Black's Extreme Rules opponent

Someone has finally knocked on his door

Aleister Black has been in an odd position in WWE. While there are other superstars in storylines, Aleister Black has been restricted towards backstage vignettes where he's sitting in a dimly lit room week after week, literally begging for someone to pick a fight with him.

Just as his patience was running out this past week, someone knocked on his door and he gave a sinister grin before the lights went out. The biggest question coming out of it all was "Who knocked on Aleister Black's door?"

According to Wrestle Votes on Twitter, the answer to that maybe Cesaro. They stated that as of now, the plan is for Black to work with Cesaro at Extreme Rules. While that is a great match on paper, it doesn't make sense because it's a RAW superstar feuding with a SmackDown star.

Black has enough names on SmackDown to feud with, the foremost one being Randy Orton. That is a feud that needs to happen soon.

#1. We hope is true: Brock Lesnar's contract expiry date

Brock Party!

Brock Lesnar's hopes of going to UFC came crashing down when he wasn't able to strike the right money-deal with them. As a result, UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier is moving on, facing Stipe Miocic at UFC 241 as promised.

As for Lesnar, WWE has been more than happy to throw money at him and he's set to stay for a while longer. He shocked the world when he became Mr Money in the Bank and has been trying to cash in since.

According to WON, Brock Lesnar's contract is set to expire around May or June of 2020. If this is true, then we're glad. In fact, we would have hoped that his contract expired right after WrestleMania 36 because we would then know that he will be done for good.

There have been rumblings about Lesnar planning a retirement match at WrestleMania 36.

#1. We hope isn't true: Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff beginning

''imminently"

A welcome change

WWE fans were shocked when they learned that Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff would return to WWE with new backstage roles. Paul Heyman was named Executive Director for RAW while Eric Bischoff has the same role for SmackDown Live.

While Bischoff's role obviously has a lot to do with his experience in dealing with TV executives (as he did with WCW two decades ago), Heyman's position is certainly an interesting one.

WON reported that Heyman and Bischoff are set to join WWE again backstage around mid-July. While that's all well and good, we hope it isn't true. Why?

Simply put, we believe that WWE needs to undergo some structural changes first and settle down to those changes before the two begin their work. It's ideal to give them a fresh slate to write on and if they do join mid-July, they'll be part and parcel of all the creative chaos that's happening right now.