5 wrestling rumors we hope are true and 5 we hope aren't: Former WWE Champion to get 'pushed hard' after 3 years, Why Vince McMahon is 'confused' about Roman Reigns situation

Welcome to this week's edition of wrestling rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't! It's been a quick and happening week in the world of WWE and we're right in the fallout of Money in the Bank 2020. It was an interesting PPV but one that many felt could have been better.

Let's jump right into the rumors of the past week:

#5. Hope is true: A former WWE Champion could get pushed as Drew McIntyre's opponent

Drew McIntyre's WWE Championship reign should be an interesting one. He's expected to be the Champion for at least a few more months. That seemed to be what was indicated following his Money in the Bank win over Seth Rollins.

Tom Colohue revealed that one opponent that he could meet along the way is his old 3MB member and former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal.

On Dropkick DiSKussions, Colohue revealed that while it's going to take a while for him to reach the level he was in 2017, he's expected to be 'pushed hard':

There is a huge new TV deal that WWE have going on in India and they want to push someone who appeals to that market. So Jinder Mahal, whether he is getting championship opportunities or not, he is definitely going to be pushed hard.

He also stated that Drew McIntyre has pushed for Mahal to be one of his Championship challengers down the line:

Drew McIntyre certainly wants to work with Jinder Mahal. I mentioned previously, Champions have always been able to have at least some say in their challengers.

We hope this is true because it would be good to see Mahal steadily pushed again. Given their past together and how far they've come, it would be a solid storyline.

#5. Hope isn't true: Vince McMahon still unsure on how to handle the Roman Reigns situation

Vince McMahon on RAW a few weeks before WrestleMania 33

Roman Reigns has seemingly been in WWE's bad books after pulling out of WrestleMania 36, where he was scheduled to face Goldberg for the Universal Championship. Over the past few weeks, WWE has ensured to avoid putting him in any video packages, let alone mention his name.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Vince McMahon is still unclear about how to handle the Roman Reigns situation:

We’re told the reaction by Vince McMahon regarding Reigns and how to handle the situation “changes daily based on which way the wind is blowing,” which is why one day they show him beating HHH on Smackdown, then they edited him off Raw, then they do a Make-a-Wish thing and have no clips of him, then they do an investment conference and Vince McMahon never says his name, and then they have a one hour special on him on FS 1.

We hope this isn't true because they should avoid mentioning him and await his return. That's most likely what they're doing, but Roman Reigns shouldn't be blamed for prioritizing his family.

#4. Hope is true: AJ Styles' feelings about Gallows and Anderson's releases

AJ Styles on RAW before Money in the Bank 2020

Two-thirds of The OC, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson were released from their WWE contracts in mid-April along with dozens of other Superstars. AJ Styles expressed remorse over the situation, blaming himself for the releases happening.

The truth is that he wasn't at fault at all and many would argue that they were hired and kept around because of AJ Styles. When asked about how Styles felt about the releases, Tom Colohue said that he isn't happy, but brought up the fact that they wanted to leave at one point anyway:

A bit of both. AJ Styles definitely isn't happy that Gallows and Anderson have gone. However, it's worth asking the question - did Gallows and Anderson want to go? Because to my knowledge, they did want to leave and that's why they were on the list of releases anyway because they had already vocalized their preference to leave and given the opportunity, the WWE said, 'okay, if you guys don't want to be here, let's have a conversation about it.'

Colohue also said that Styles is keeping them in the public eye, which will benefit them greatly:

He's essentially keeping them in the public eye, which would be good wherever they are going next. He is not happy that they are no longer there, but that doesn't mean he isn't unhappy to see them go somewhere they might be happier.

We hope this is true because Styles seems to have taken their releases a lot more personally than he should have. Eventually, the acceptance that they'll be in a place where they'll be utilized better is what's best for everyone.

#4. Hope isn't true: Sami Zayn still hasn't agreed to work TV tapings

Sami Zayn retained the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 36 after defeating Daniel Bryan. However, it was revealed that he opted not to work the upcoming tapings since WWE gives the Superstars the option to do so.

It's a bit odd for Zayn since he is currently the Intercontinental Champion and leads a group consisting of Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Sami Zayn is still not working in the upcoming tapings:

Even though Zayn is IC champion and Mania seemed to start a long-term program with Bryan, Bryan was always booked to be in MITB before Zayn made the call not to attend the recent tapings.

While Daniel Bryan was always planned to be a part of the Money in the Bank ladder match, one can't help but feel that Zayn is holding the title back by not appearing. While his wishes must be respected, we hope this isn't true, because if it is, WWE may need to start considering new options for the title.

#3. Hope is true: An update on the identity of the SmackDown hacker

The SmackDown Hacker has continued to appear on WWE TV post-WrestleMania, teasing that something major is coming. His first move was before the Grandest Stage of Them All, where he "exposed" Sonya Deville and Dolph Ziggler.

Tom Colohue told Korey Gunz on Dropkick DiSKussions that Ali is the 'obvious' answer and the only choice that makes sense at the minute:

Ali is the obvious one, but to be honest, he really is the only one who makes the most sense at the minute because of his background, how he puts his own work together. His self-promos have been so fantastic. It's really caught the attention. I think at this point people would be disappointed if it wasn't Ali.

We hope this is true because it's high time Ali was brought back into WWE television. He's one of the most exciting Superstars on the roster and he could have a major character change with the mystery hacker gimmick. Ali and Chad Gable are two Superstars who need to return as soon as possible.

#3. Hope isn't true: The Forgotten Sons called up to replace The Revival

The Forgotten Sons debuted on the SmackDown after WrestleMania 36 and went after The New Day right away. They beat them and earned a title shot at Money in the Bank 2020, where they, along with two other teams, lost to the reigning Champions.

Tom Colohue told Korey Gunz on Dropkick DiSKussions that The Forgotten Sons were called up as a replacement for The Revival:

There is an idea being put out that the Forgotten Sons were called up to be the replacements of The Usos. I've been told that it's not accurate. The Forgotten Sons were planned to be brought up for several months, kind of to get them out of WWE NXT, where there is really nothing for them and in addition to sort of replace The Revival, who have now moved on.

We hope this isn't true because it would negatively affect The Forgotten Sons in the long run if WWE finds that they aren't on the same level as The Revival.

#2. Hope is true: Big plans for Apollo Crews?

Apollo Crews has been on the rise on Monday Night RAW since re-joining the Red brand in April. Under Paul Heyman's watch, Crews has had the best run of his WWE career so far.

He was scheduled to be a part of the Money in the Bank ladder match this year, but a kayfabe knee injury against Andrade saw Crews get removed from the match.

Dave Meltzer revealed on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Apollo Crews might just join MVP's faction on RAW:

Crews was giving off heel tendencies on last week’s Raw and it’s been speculated he will be part of a stable headed by MVP that would also include Brendan Vink & Shane Thorne. We’ve been given the impression that is one of several options considered for Crews but it is not necessarily the end direction.

We hope this is true because it would finally give Apollo Crews a character to work on. MVP would be essential in getting him over. He's been having a good few weeks and this would ensure that his momentum continues.

#2. Hope isn't true: Kevin Owens still out of action

Kevin Owens has been away from WWE with an injury

Kevin Owens has been out of action since WrestleMania 36, where he snapped Seth Rollins' string of victories and defeated The Monday Night Messiah. Despite this, Rollins emerged as the second WWE title challenger to Drew McIntyre (with The Big Show technically being first), while Owens has sat on the sidelines since.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Kevin Owens has been injured since WrestleMania 36 and will be out for longer:

"Regarding the Kevin Owens ankle injury, it happened at WrestleMania. The spot it happened is unknown as apparently he never felt a thing during the match and then the next day his ankle was swollen. He expects to be out a few more weeks."

We hope this isn't true because Owens had a lot of momentum going for him with that victory at WrestleMania 36. Hopefully, he'll return on time for Backlash next month and will be in an important storyline.

#1. Hope is true: Vince McMahon personally involved in Otis' storyline

It still feels surreal to write it. Otis of Heavy Machinery is Mr. Money in the Bank. Not only did he win the briefcase, but he overcame the likes of Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black, AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan, and King Corbin to do so. When putting together the accolades of all the above-mentioned names, Otis' pales in comparison since he hasn't won gold...yet.

However, 2020 has been a big game-changing year for him after he got involved in a storyline with Mandy Rose. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter revealed that Vince McMahon is personally involved in shaping Otis' storyline:

“A lot, perhaps most of the Otis stuff is from Vince McMahon who likes the character.”

It makes a lot of sense since Otis has been getting a lot of TV Time since February. However, nobody expected him to become Mr. Money in the Bank this early on in his career. We hope this is true because when Vince McMahon is hands-on with a Superstar, he goes all out to push them.

#1. Hope isn't true: The reason for Edge and Randy Orton's return

Edge and Randy Orton haven't been seen since WrestleMania 36 when they had their Last Man Standing match against each other. Given that there won't be crowds for the foreseeable future, many imagined that Edge would only return around the summertime when he was needed.

However, both Edge and Randy Orton were advertised for the 11th May episode of RAW (which still hasn't happened as of this writing), leading many to speculate why. According to Cageside Seats, dropping ratings is the reason why Edge and Randy Orton were brought back to TV:

The speculation is that names like Styles, Edge, and Randy Orton are being brought back early due to WWE’s ratings struggles.

We hope this isn't true because it doesn't make sense to bring back legends like Edge and Orton as a band-aid for low ratings. It's important to build on solid storylines and push full-time storylines to make the product and ratings more sustainable in the long run.

Edited by Zaid Khan