Wrestlepalooza took place this past weekend, setting the stage for an exciting few months as WWE moves into its new "ESPN era." It was a solid PLE, albeit one that's faced some backlash from fans following the decision to have Brock Lesnar defeat John Cena.
Still, Cody Rhodes seems to be back in the good graces of viewers, and RAW has a new Women's World Champion in Stephanie Vaquer.
In our latest WWE rumour roundup, we have some intel on the fallout from that show, WWE's controversial decision to take WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia, AEW President Tony Khan's insulting nickname in WWE, and more...
- AJ Lee made her long-awaited WWE return at Wrestlepalooza this weekend, and according to Fightful Select, the internal reaction to the former Divas Champion's performance has been hugely positive. Becky Lynch has also been praised for her role in helping Lee.
- In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer says that WWE hopes to bring Shayna Baszler back into the fold as a coach or producer.
- He also reveals that TKO decided against including fans at the recent WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia announcement for fear of boos. WWE was concerned that the local press would pick up on any backlash and that it would overshadow the announcement.
- Talking of the Showcase of the Immortals, Scott D'Amore has heard "rumours WWE will hold only one WrestleMania night in Saudi [Arabia] and hold the other in the U.S."
- Meltzer notes that WWE's original plan was indeed for the Wyatt Sicks to defend the tag team titles against Andrade and Rey Fenix at Clash in Paris. However, Andrade was sent home by WWE after allegedly failing a drug test.
- There are those in WWE who reportedly refer to AEW President Tony Khan as the "Snowman." That's in reference to the jokes online that the executive's erratic, quirky behaviour on camera is a result of cocaine use (an unfounded claim). Fightful Select counters Meltzer by claiming to have never heard that before.
- Moving forward, Joe Hendry will be featured "more prominently on NXT" than TNA, reports Sports Illustrated. D'Amore, meanwhile, reveals that Brock Lesnar "was in talks with TNA back in 2007."
- @WrestleVotes has learned that SmackDown will have a double taping on November 21 in Denver to give talent and production crew time off on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
- The insider has also heard that WWE might schedule another AAA event on Survivor Series: WarGames weekend on November 29. When that happens, WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio is expected to play a major role in the promotion.
- Many WWE Hall of Famers have shared their take on Raja Jackson's violent in-ring attack on Syko Stu, and TMZ has learned that he's now been hit with a felony charge for "battery with serious bodily injury." A "jail official" told the site that he was "already bonded out" by early Friday morning.