6 Wrestling rumors we hope are true and 6 we hope aren't: Original plans for Wyatt before Goldberg loss, Vince McMahon 'won't allow' top RAW star to lose clean?

Welcome to this week's edition of "Wrestling rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't". We're early this week and it's an exciting time as it's just ahead of Elimination Chamber - the final PPV stop on the road to WrestleMania.

It's the most exciting time of the year and AEW has done a good job these past few months to ensure that WWE isn't the only promotion getting the spotlight. Let's jump right into the rumors of this past week and the ones we hope are true and those we hope aren't:

#6. Hope is true: Original plans for Bray Wyatt before the loss to Goldberg

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It's safe to assume that fans aren't happy with Goldberg beating 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt clean and capturing the Universal Championship. The argument being made is that his match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 36 is big enough that it doesn't need a title on the line - which is true.

However, Wyatt isn't getting a 'consolation prize', since his match against John Cena is a marquee bout for the PPV as well. And he seems to be doing just fine. However, we can't help but wonder if the original plan was better, to begin with. WON (via Cagesideseats) stated that Bray Wyatt was supposed to run through everyone and kept away from Roman Reigns, his original WrestleMania opponent:

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that original plans called for Bray Wyatt to run through everyone and Roman Reigns to be kept away until a big match at WrestleMania. Obviously those plans changed. That idea could still happen later on in some form.

All we can do is hope that this is true because the plan has been put into place and there's nothing that can be done about it.

#6. Hope isn't true: Vince McMahon isn't letting AJ Styles lose clean

AJ Styles is set to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36 and in the meantime, is feuding with Aleister Black. While the Dutch superstar is poised to be a top star on RAW, Dave Meltzer explained on the Wrestling Observer Radio that because of how highly Vince McMahon values Styles, he's unlikely to let him lose clean, except to The Undertaker:

Vince isn't going to let Aleister Black, I don't think Vince will let Aleister Black beat AJ clean right now. If he was wrestling someone other than The Undertaker, maybe, you know what's funny? It seems like almost every babyface because it was the case with Ricochet, with Cedric, with Humberto, it's like they are put in a position, and AJ is the guy who is going to be the big win to set them up to be the star and every case AJ ends up not losing to them.

We hope this isn't true because AJ Styles can afford a loss to Aleister Black. It's more beneficial to Black to get a big win against a star of Styles' caliber. There's no need to "protect" him for when he inevitably loses to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36 since he doesn't need to win against either Black or Undertaker.

#5. Hope is true: An 'irreplaceable' WWE name was backstage at AEW Revolution

Jon Moxley became the AEW World Champion

AEW Revolution was another major success for the promotion, with the highlights of the night being Kenny Omega & Adam "Hangman" Page vs The Young Bucks (which has quickly been dubbed as one of the best tag team matches of all time) and Jon Moxley vs Chris Jericho in the main event.

The latter saw Jon Moxley win his first World Championship in over three and a half years - beating Jericho to become the second AEW World Champion. According to PWInsider, he got to celebrate his success backstage with his wife and WWE employee Renee Young.

Jon Moxley himself has called Renee Young 'irreplaceable' in her role in WWE and it's hard to disagree with. She's the best in her role and with her tie-up with FOX, WWE knows that they can't do much to her.

We hope this is true because Renee Young deserves to be in that position. If not WWE, many big-name companies would hire her for a broadcasting role.

#5. Hope isn't true: A major storyline has been scrapped

In the last three months of 2019, the storyline that WWE invested the most across all brands was the love triangle between Rusev, Lana, and Bobby Lashley. Rusev never even got a singles win over Lashley despite being a babyface and getting over.

Liv Morgan entered the mix in the final segment of RAW that decade and it marked her return after months, along with an exciting new addition to the storyline. They continued to drag it on until Rusev suffered an untimely injury.

PWInsider reported that Lana wasn't in attendance for the last episode of RAW since she was shooting a movie, but even if she was present, her chances of being utilized weren't much, since the entire angle has now been scrapped.

It's clear that Liv Morgan has now moved on to a mini-feud with Ruby Riott and it's a shame that WWE couldn't continue the angle without Rusev. Since they invested so much time into it, isn't it owed to the fans to pay it off at the very least?

We hope this isn't true, but we fully believe it is.

#4. Hope is true: Asuka's Elimination Chamber status

If you're reading this after Elimination Chamber 2020, then you'll know by now whether the rumor is true or not. Asuka was supposed to face Shayna Baszler in the latter's RAW in-ring debut. However, WWE reported that the Japanese star was pulled from the match due to an injury, with her teammate Kairi Sane being the one to welcome Baszler.

Multiple rumors then came out stating that Asuka is legitimately injured and that her status at Elimination Chamber could be in jeopardy. That would be a huge blow since she's an important competitor inside the Chamber, even if it's obvious that she isn't winning.

Cagesideseats reported that there's still hope backstage that Asuka will be able to make it on time:

The hope is still that Asuka will be able to work the Women’s Elimination Chamber match this weekend.

Kairi Sane could always replace her but as of this standing, Asuka is better-suited to compete inside the Chamber. We hope this rumor is true since she deserves that spot.

#4. Hope isn't true: Former Champion fell sick in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia and WWE seem to have a lot of negative things attached. Aside from the controversy and criticism WWE usually faces about their relationship there, instances such as Superstars being stuck in an airplane and now a former champion falling sick seems to imply that something always goes wrong there

Per WON, (via Cagesideseats) Erik, one-half of the former RAW Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders fell ill in Saudi Arabia, which caused him to miss a few shows:

Erik of The Viking Raiders came back from Saudi Arabia sick, and that’s why he missed weekend house shows, says the Observer.

We hope this isn't true but wouldn't be surprised if it is. The radical climate difference can play a role in making anyone fall ill and, unfortunately, Erik fell ill at the time. Hopefully, it's nothing too serious and the duo can get back in the mix right after Elimination Chamber 2020.

The road to WrestleMania is winding down in a month and we expect The Viking Raiders to be involved in the RAW Tag Team title picture in some capacity.

#3. Hope is true: The Undertaker's tweet and it's consequences for WrestleMania 36

WWE released a list of former Women's Champions in a celebration of Women's History Month. They forgot two major names - Bull Nakano and Michelle McCool. The latter expressed her frustration after she was added in an edit and her husband The Undertaker responded with an angry Twitter post.

When Tom Colohue was asked on Dropkick DiSKussions about whether the tweet will have any impact on his WrestleMania 36 match against AJ Styles, he told Korey Gunz that there will be no consequences whatsoever.

None whatsoever. The Undertaker, when he signs his contract, when he starts working out, he will still be there, he will still be involved in the match. He's had issues before, but when it comes to out there in the ring, he will always be there to deliver. That's just the way The Undertaker works.

We hope this is true because it shouldn't have any impact. The Undertaker will come and do his job and we expect him to rightfully beat AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36.

#3. Hope isn't true: Vince McMahon re-writing multiple storylines

Over the years, there have been many rumors about Vince McMahon re-writing the script for RAW or SmackDown at the last minute. Per Wrestling Observer Live, he did exactly that for multiple matches and segments in the latest episode of RAW.

Sportskeeda's Nishant Jayaram wrote:

[Riddick] Moss beat Ricochet clean, which shocked many fans. Reports hinted that Ricochet's push over the last few months could have come to an end following the loss against Moss.

Rowan, who had been carrying a mysterious cage over the last few weeks, finally revealed what was inside it - a tarantula. That segment, too, was reportedly rewritten by Mr. McMahon on RAW this week.

The other match that was reportedly changed was Aleister Black vs AJ Styles, where the former had a gauntlet match with all three members of The OC.

We hope this isn't true because things don't always pan out when they're changed at the last minute. It's clear when there are inconsistencies with the storytelling, though this week wasn't a bad episode overall.

#2. Hope is true: Change in Vince McMahon and Goldberg's relationship

Goldberg's first run in WWE from 2003-2004 was widely regarded as a flop. Despite having a World Heavyweight Championship reign to his name, things never clicked and Linda McMahon admitted that his run was a disappointment.

His second run, however, has seen him make sporadic appearances, with his latest one seeing him capture the Universal Championship for the second time.

Tom Colohue spoke to Korey Gunz about it on Dropkick DiSKussions and said that it's a bit surprising how the relationship between Goldberg and Vince McMahon changed over the years:

Firstly I think it's interesting what you say about Goldberg being the big star in Vince's eyes. Vince McMahon originally never wanted to sign Goldberg for anything. He had to be convinced to bring him in from the days after WCW. He had to be convinced to bring him back. Goldberg is not one that Vince ever really felt an affinity to.

We hope this is true because it proves that time heals all wounds.

#2. Hope isn't true: The Revival's WWE status

It might be the end of the road for "The Top Guys" in WWE. Fightful Select reported that the reason why they aren't appearing on TV anymore isn't that either of them requested time off. Instead, they're simply sitting home.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter added that both Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder plan to leave WWE once their contracts expire, despite being offered a reported deal of $550,000 per year.

Scott Dawson's contract is expected to expire in a month, while Dash Wilder has roughly 10 weeks added to his contract due to an injury spell.

While we admit that The Revival in AEW would be an exciting prospect, we hope this isn't true because they fit better in WWE and could end up having a great legacy at the end of it. Sometimes, things take time but we can understand their perspective in wanting to leave for what they feel will be greener pastures.

The Revival have established themselves in WWE and could still have many Championships to come if they stayed.

#1. Hope is true: Brock Lesnar 'respects' former NXT Champion and wants to put him over

Nobody is better than a motivated Brock Lesnar

It's hard to blame Brock Lesnar for how he handled his WWE run the past few years, i.e, collecting a paycheque, not speaking a word and working relatively short matches.

However, there's no denying that an invested and motivated Brock Lesnar can make any match turn to gold and any feud as well. He's set to headline WrestleMania for the fourth time in his career as he takes on Royal Rumble 2020 winner Drew McIntyre.

Tom Colohue told Korey Gunz on Dropkick DiSKussions that Lesnar respects McIntyre and is listening to the reactions. He also said that he's doing everything he can to put over Drew McIntyre:

In addition to that, when you hear the crowd chanting one more time, Brock Lesnar heard it, Lesnar got up. He showed for it. Lesnar is doing everything he can to put Drew McIntyre over and he's been doing that since the Royal Rumble match. Brock is really invested in this and it's great to see. It really shows the amount of respect between the two men and it really shows how good a match we're going to get.

We hope this is true because it means that we'll get an incredible WrestleMania main event. This is exactly what Drew McIntyre needs for his coronation.

#1. Hope isn't true: Shayna Baszler hasn't convinced Vince McMahon

Shayna Baszler has fully made the transition to Monday Night RAW and she has instantly been primed for a top spot, with the direction appearing to be her challenging Becky Lynch for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36.

It's not an easy role to be in and one that comes with a lot of pressure. Her in-ring debut was this past week against a familiar opponent - Kairi Sane.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, she didn't impress Vince McMahon and there's a bit of uncertainty about giving her the spot:

But there was negativity and uncertainty regarding McMahon’s reaction to Baszler’s match with Kairi Sane on Raw not getting the desired reaction and Baszler not coming off like a WrestleMania headliner.

We hope this isn't true because 2-3 weeks is too little time to determine whether someone can be an instant headliner. As of now, Shayna Baszler is the best possible opponent for Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 36.

Edited by Zaid Khan