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Welcome to the second edition of our new weekly series where we list all the rumors and speculation that indeed came true from the world of WWE and pro wrestling. Yeah, that doesn't happen every day, but whenever they do, it should be highlighted. The dirt sheets should be given some credit, after all.
The lineup today features rumors about Edge's status, Matt Riddle's debut, the backstage situation in WWE during the ongoing #SpeakingOut movement, an employee getting rehired, and a tag team being removed from TV and being replaced by another team.
On that note, let's take a look at the five rumors that came true this week:
#5 Edge did suffer a serious and long-term injury at Backlash
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The Backlash match between Edge and Randy Orton was a great wrestling contest, but the aftermath of the PPV also gave WWE the news that they didn't want to hear.
Edge tore his triceps while taping the match and Sean Ross Sapp first reported the rumor of his injury on Fightful Select hours before Backlash was aired.
WWE confirmed the injury a day after the PPV while also revealing that the Rated-R Superstar had undergone surgery and was rehabbing at home.
WWE's statement read as follows:
WWE Digital has confirmed that Edge suffered a torn triceps as a result of injuries sustained during The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever. Edge has undergone successful surgery and is currently rehabbing at home.
The torn triceps injury is a serious one that has an estimated recovery time of six to eight months, and that means we may not see Edge return to the ring this year.
However, it was recently speculated by Dave Meltzer that Edge might end up wrestling again as his current deal with the WWE is just too lucrative to terminate. We'll have to wait and see whether that report turns out to be accurate, however, it would be a safe bet on Edge to wrestle a few more matches once he fully recuperates from the injury.
#4 18-year wrestling veteran Pat Buck rehired by WWE
WWE released and furloughed many employees and talents in April. Some rumors came up recently regarding the company's efforts to get back a few people who were either let go or temporarily sent home.
PWInsider had reported a few days ago that the WWE had rehired Pat Buck as a backstage producer. It was also added that Buck began working on the most recent episodes of RAW and SmackDown in Orlando.
Buck took to Twitter and confirmed the news of his rehiring with the following tweet:
Pat Buck has been in the wrestling business for nearly 18 years. He was signed to be a part of WWE's former developmental system, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in 2005, and he spent the entirety of his first WWE stint in OVW (later rebranded as FCW), until his departure in 2009. Buck would go on to establish his pro wrestling schools called 'Create A Pro'. He also became the sole owner of the WrestlePro promotion.
The 35-year-old veteran was hired by the WWE as a producer in August 2019 before getting furloughed earlier this year. Buck is now back to working for the WWE, and many more furloughed producers and employees are expected to return to the company soon.
#3 Plan for Matt Riddle's debut
Sean Ross Sapp was the first to report on Fightful Select about WWE's plans for Matt Riddle's debut on SmackDown. The report stated that WWE had a big introduction planned for Riddle, which would involve AJ Styles.
As seen on SmackDown, Matt Riddle interrupted AJ Styles' Intercontinental Championship ceremony and faced the champion in a non-title singles match. Riddle's debut legitimately felt like a big deal as the ring was surrounding by the SmackDown roster and all the talents celebrated with the King of Bros following his victory over the Phenomenal One.
WWE did accomplish their objective of making Riddle look like a top star in the making.
SRS' report also added that several people in the company have high hopes for Riddle. It was also noted that beyond the introduction, WWE has reportedly lined up a storyline between Riddle and Baron Corbin.
SRS revealed the following on Fightful Select:
We're told Matt Riddle is to receive a "big" introduction to Smackdown this week, involved with a major Superstar on the brand -- AJ Styles. Several within WWE told us that they have high hopes for Riddle based on his first day there. The plan beyond the introduction was to put him in a program with Baron Corbin, we're told.
We'll have to wait and see whether the detail about Corbin comes to tuition soon.
#2 WWE called for an emergency meeting following the #SpeakingOut movement and the allegations against its Superstars
The #SpeakingOut movement has rocked the professional wrestling industry to its core. Various female wrestlers have taken to social media to reveal their horrific experiences - ranging from sexual harassment, physical, mental and physical abuse, predatory behavior, and many other serious allegations.
While many wrestlers from the UK wrestling circuit have been accused, there are also a handful of WWE Superstars who were subject to allegations. Matt Riddle, Jordan Devlin, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, and Ligero are the notable names on the list.
As revealed by Tom Colohue, WWE called for an emergency meeting immediately after the allegations were leveled against some of its talents and Tom specifically noted that the only thing that could be expected from the meeting were official statements. Officials statements were exactly what the WWE put out following the widespread attention that the movement had garnered.
WWE initially released brief statements that addressed the allegations regarding only particular talents. The company would later release a full statement in which they promised strict action against the Superstars who would be found guilty.
Jack Gallagher has already been released from WWE, and the fate of the other accused Superstars is still up in the air.
Matt Riddle, Jordan Devlin, and Ligero have all released statements, denying the alleged allegations before revealing that they would take legal action.
#1 The Forgotten Sons removed from TV, replaced by Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura in SmackDown tag titles feud
Sean Ross Sapp had reported on Fightful Select days ago that The Forgotten Sons had been taken off WWE TV following Jaxson Ryker's politically motivated tweets, which ended up attracting intense backlash from fans and the locker room.
Dave Meltzer reported in the recent Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the Forgotten Sons had been removed from TV and Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura were brought in to replace them in a SmackDown Tag Team titles feud against the New Day.
Meltzer noted:
Nakamura & Cesaro are replacing The Forgotten Sons in a planned program with The New Day. It's unfortunate because the comments by Jaxson Ryker, which both Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake immediately and publicly distanced themselves from, has led to all three of them being taken off television. And Cutler & Blake were the team in the ring as Ryker was used more in an outside interference role. There are those who felt the gimmick itself wasn't the right thing in these turbulent times.
The report about Cesaro & Nakamura getting involved in the tag team titles picture was proven to be right as the duo attacked The New Day on the most recent episode of SmackDown and they should ideally face the champions at WWE's next PPV Extreme Rules.
The Forgotten Sons last featured in the Fatal 4-Way Tag Team titles match at the Money in the Bank PPV, and their absence from the Blue brand pretty much confirms their removal from WWE programming.
Wesley Blake, Steve Cutler, and Jaxson Ryker are not expected to be back on WWE TV for the time being, and when they do return, the team could potentially have a new gimmick.
Major rumor about recently released stars HERE
