5 wrestling rumors we hope are true and 5 we hope aren't: WWE planning big rematch for The Undertaker's return, Surprising new direction for Seth Rollins after Becky Lynch's pregnancy?

Welcome to this week's edition of 'Wrestling rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't'. We're now past Money in the Bank 2020, the first major PPV after WrestleMania 36. With Backlash in sight for WWE and Double or Nothing ahead for AEW, the next month of wrestling is going to be an exciting one.

Unfortunately, it looks like the empty arena shows will be the way to go for the foreseeable future, but these rumors focus on a lot of things to look forward to, starting right now:

#5. Hope is true: WWE planning a big rematch for The Undertaker's return?

The Undertaker has had a career resurgence in 2020 after he finally said goodbye to the 'Deadman' character after 16 years and reinvented himself for WrestleMania 36. Due to the empty arena setting for the show of shows, WWE decided to get creative and filmed a mini-movie that was the 'Boneyard match'.

It was considered an instant classic, with many dubbing it as the most unique WrestleMania main event. AJ Styles normally gets the best out of his opponents, which is why it shouldn't come as a surprise that he gave The Undertaker his best match in 7 years.

It seems as though the two are set to work together again, as Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez on the Wrestling Observer Radio spoke about WWE possibly working towards a more "traditional" match between The Undertaker and AJ Styles.

We hope this is true because it would be interesting to see how the two would do in the ring and a traditional setting. Given that their first match was such a big success, there will undoubtedly be a lot of hype for a rematch. We wouldn't blame WWE for wanting to capitalize on a big-money match-up.

#5. Hope isn't true: A surprising new direction for Seth Rollins

Is a big change in store for Seth Rollins?

Seth Rollins has had quite a few character changes over the years. He became a main event superstar as a heel, but he spent over 3 years as a babyface between 2016 to 2019. He turned heel at the end of the decade.

He's had a life-changing few weeks, as he learned that his fiancée Becky Lynch was pregnant. She made the big reveal one night after Money in the Bank, vacating the RAW Women's Championship that she held for a full year.

When Rey Mysterio congratulated Seth Rollins on RAW, he was met with silence. After their tag team match ended (also involving Aleister Black and Murphy), Rollins viciously attacked Mysterio.

He surprisingly apologized to Aleister Black afterward, a rare action for a top heel. Tom Colohue discussed this segment with Korey Gunz on Dropkick DiSKussions and said that Rollins could be on course for a possible face turn:

When it comes to the Money in the Bank finish, I do think they are still going face despite what happened. The reason I think that is because Seth went to apologize after he injured Rey. I don't know whether this is going to be the whole Bray Wyatt/Fiend thing but he definitely had an out-of-body experience, attacked Rey as he did...but if he was a heel, he would not have apologized. So I'm not entirely sure which way they are going but they are keeping their options open.

We hope this isn't true because Rollins' role is best as a heel right now. RAW has enough top babyfaces. While he undoubtedly will turn face at some point, he should stay put as a heel.

#4. Hope is true: Roman Reigns in no rush to return

Roman Reigns has been absent from WWE television since pulling out from WrestleMania 36 late March. No mention has been made of him on TV since and he was even removed from a WrestleMania video package played on RAW highlighting Seth Rollins' WWE triumphant night in 2015.

According to Fightful Select, Roman Reigns isn't in any rush to make his WWE return. Sportskeeda's Lennard Surrao wrote:

As revealed by a source high up in the WWE, Roman Reigns 'does not seem to be in any rush' to make his WWE return. It was also added that no one in the WWE faults Reigns for his decision.

As for when he plans to return, rthe report stated that there's no timeline, as WWE themselves haven't chalked out anything for his return:

The Fightful Select report went on to state that there is still no definite timeline with regards to Reigns' comeback, as it could take two days, two weeks, two months or even longer. At this point, WWE has no idea when Reigns will be back and as a result of it, the company has not chalked out any creative plans for him.

We hope this is true since Reigns deserves to spend time with his family. His wife is pregnant with twins and it's far more important than an in-ring return.

#4. Hope isn't true: Drew Gulak parts ways with WWE

Drew Gulak has been in the best spot of his WWE career so far these last two months, as his alliance with Daniel Bryan has gotten him consistent TV time. He's been an integral part of Daniel Bryan's storyline progression, but all that has come to a screeching halt.

Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that Drew Gulak has parted ways with WWE. Just to be clear, this isn't like the other WWE releases. The term 'release' doesn't fit here, since Gulak's contract reportedly expired without him re-signing a new deal.

Gulak was reportedly in negotiations with WWE but the two parties haven't come to terms yet, which means that Gulak's WWE run has come to an end. We hope this isn't true, but the fact that he's been moved to the 'alumni' section on WWE's website seems to confirm it.

Hopefully, Gulak manages to agree to a new deal with WWE and appear on television again. It could be a while, but we can't imagine Gulak ending his WWE run this quickly, especially since he was in a prime spot from February until the end of his deal.

#3. Hope is true: A face turn for The Kabuki Warriors

Asuka is now a grand slam Women's Champion

Asuka won the Money in the Bank briefcase last Sunday in the 'Corporate' Money in the Bank ladder match. What we didn't know at the time was that the match was actually to determine the next RAW Women's Champion, as Becky Lynch vacated the title and will be going on maternity leave for the next year at the very least.

Wrestlingnews.co's Paul Davis reported that Asuka and Kairi Sane have both turned face in an unplanned move. While Nia Jax was supposed to be Becky Lynch's Money in the Bank opponent (with Shayna Baszler reportedly planned to be the original MITB winner), the decision was made to go with Asuka as the next RAW Women's Champion.

“I asked about the turn and I was told that the Asuka and Sane turn was not something in the plans but it was necessary because they want a babyface champion right now with names like Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax in line for title matches in the coming months.”

We hope this is true because Asuka proved to be a great babyface Champion in NXT, while Kairi Sane is a natural babyface as well. We expect them to have singles run, but we only hope that The Kabuki Warriors aren't done as a team.

#3. Hope isn't true: WWE doesn't feel Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura have enough charisma to be singles stars

Will Shinsuke Nakamura get one more solo run?

Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro were aligned with Sami Zayn - the man who was their storyline leader. Even when Nakamura was the Intercontinental Champion, it was zayn who was the voice of the group.

With Sami Zayn opting not to work the post-WrestleMania 36 tapings, the question was brought up as to whether Cesaro and Nakamura will part ways. According to Tom Colohue on Dropkick DiSKussions, the decision to pair them with Corbin was because WWE doesn't believe that either Cesaro or Nakamura have enough charisma to be solo stars:

Well at the moment they have been immediately paired up with Baron Corbin, which will at least give them someone new to lead them. The WWE, unfortunately, have the general belief that neither of them nor Cesaro or Nakamura have the right amount of charisma to be in a solo position or have a leadership role. With everything they are rewriting around Sami Zayn they need someone else to talk for them, so, for now, they have paired them up with Corbin, after that, it's really hard to see.

We hope this isn't true because Cesaro and Nakamura's best work has come as solo stars. We understand that Nakamura seems to be riding out his contract until retirement, but he deserves a lot more for the kind of superstar he is.

#2. Hope is true: An unexpected direction for Jinder Mahal?

Jinder Mahal's near year-long absence may end up benefiting him in the long-run, as he could be set for a big push in the coming months. Various rumors have indicated that Jinder Mahal will be pushed as a top heel challenger for Drew McIntyre.

However, in the last episode of RAW, Mahal cut a promo where he vowed to rise to the top again, but this time, it would be a "hero's journey". Everything about the promo seemed to be babyface in nature, and Dave Meltzer told Bryan Alvarez on the Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE is trying something different with Mahal.

When asked about why WWE tried to make Mahal a star in India as a heel, Dave Meltzer said that his push three years ago didn't make a marketable difference in the country. WWE is reportedly attempting it again, but this time, in a different direction. Meltzer said:

We don't know whether it worked or didn't work for India. I guess it didn't in the sense that he didn't make a marketable difference as far as when they went there to sell more tickets than they had before. No, not at all. Was there any increase in the network subscriptions from India? Not in the least. So, maybe this time they are going to do it, well, we can't have him doing heel things while kissing up to India let's have him actually be a babyface this time for India. So it's an attempt. It's something different.

We hope this is true because it would be a good change in direction for him to go. While we feel that he's going to end up as a heel again, it's worth an attempt.

#2. Hope isn't true: WWE was sending a message to superstars by stripping Sami Zayn off the Intercontinental Championship

WWE Superstars are given the option of missing all the TV tapings and live shows during the pandemic time. That was why a superstar like Roman Reigns was able to pull out of the main event match-up.

Paul Davis of Wrestlingnews.co reported that WWE stripping Sami Zayn of the Intercontinental Championship was seen as a "message" being sent to lower card superstars:

"According to a couple of WWE sources I spoke with, the feeling among some people at TV this week was that stripping Zayn of the Intercontinental Championship was done to send a message. WWE will always say that wrestlers can take time off and not worry about their spot and that certainly would apply to a top star like Roman Reigns, but for others that is not a guarantee and wrestlers in the mid and lower card certainly took notice."

We hope this isn't true because it's a bad precedent to set when superstars are given the option not to work the tapings. Should they be punished for picking an option given to them?

#1. Hope is true: WWE holding off on a major storyline

Vince McMahon could have something big in store

WWE without a live crowd feels like a different product altogether. While there have been some undeniable improvements such as the style of promos and general consistency in the quality of programming, wrestling wouldn't be wrestling without the fans.

The fan reaction plays a big part in making superstars and storylines, which is why WWE is holding off on a major storyline, according to Wrestlevotes.

Sportskeeda's Amar Anand wrote:

As per WrestleVotes, WWE had a 'long major storyline' in the works that was supposed to unfold over spring and summer. The angle would reportedly be similar to that of Vince McMahon's limousine explosion and the famous Nexus invasion-style debut. Since COVID-19 pandemic has forced WWE to hold shows at the Performance Center behind closed doors, the company decided to put the plan on hold as the crowd reaction would have had a major role to play in at.

We hope this is true because a massive storyline is something that's needed in WWE right now. However, it should play out in front of a live audience, which is why it can wait.

#1. Hope isn't true: Rey Mysterio's contract negotiations stalled

Rey Mysterio has reportedly reached the end of his WWE contract but is yet to sign a new deal, as per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. According to Meltzer, Rey Mysterio is in a tricky position for contract negotiations since WWE isn't giving out pay raises right now.

At the same time, his concern is for his son Dominick, with the feeling that the situation could negatively affect his career. Sportskeeda's Lennard Surrao wrote:

One of the key aspects, as noted by Meltzer, is Rey Mysterio's concern about his son Dominick's future. The idea is that Rey Mysterio does not want to upset the WWE officials as it could negatively affect his son's WWE career.

We hope this isn't true because Mysterio leaving WWE shouldn't have to affect his son's career. When it's a decision that he wants to make to have a better retirement fund, Dominick's career shouldn't have its progress hindered. However, it's a harsh reality that Mysterio has to consider. We still hope he re-signs with WWE.

Edited by Amar Anand