Possible Title Match for This Year’s SummerSlam Event

It looks like Alexa Bliss could be defending her RAW Women’s Championship against Nia Jax at this year’s SummerSlam event.

Bryan Alvarez discussed plans for the RAW Women’s Championship on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Live. Alvarez speculates that WWE appears to be moving towards a showdown between Bliss and Nia at this year’s SummerSlam event and that’s why they are doing the angles backstage between the two.

Originally the plan was for Sasha Banks to feud with Bayley over the Championship title on the show, but those plans have obviously changed as neither of one of them them are the champion.

We will keep you updated if we receive any other details…

Hulk Hogan Not Interested In WWE Return?

Hulk Hogan may not be interested in returning to WWE now that his Gawker problems are behind him.

According to Fightful, WWE had meetings regarding a possible return for The Hulkster, however the decision on whether or not he wants to return to the company is Hogan’s decision. WWE apparently reached out with the proposal of a “renewed working relationship” and Vince McMahon has also touched base with Hogan.

The feeling is that because of Hogan’s $31 Million settlement with Gawker, he’s in a good place financially and doesn’t need the money that WWE is willing to offer him for his return.

Possible Plans for Rusev When He Returns to WWE

According to Cageside Seats, former 2-time United States Champion Rusev is scheduled to enter into the US title picture upon his return on SmackDown Live. Rusev’s wife, Lana has already made her return and had a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Money In The Bank event.

Rusev has been out of action for some months because of an injury that required surgery. He posted a video demanding a WWE Title match at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view and the said video was also aired on the post-Superstar Shakeup episode of SmackDown Live. WWE ultimately dropped the plans for Rusev to go after the WWE Championship after they finalized long-term plans for Jinder Mahal to keep the title.

What do you think about Rusev’s future? Sound off in the comments!

Mauro Ranallo Back with WWE

Mauro Ranallo announced on Instagram that he is back with WWE working under the NXT brand. He wrote the following remarks about his new gig with the company:

THE NXT CHAPTER BEGINS!

WWE and I mutually agreed to end my responsibilities on SmackDown having nothing to do with rumors about disputes. As I remained under contract with WWE, we discussed a variety of options. Despite originally agreeing to part ways, there was always a desire to continue working together. We have come to terms on a new agreement that benefits both WWE and me, and I am thrilled to announce I will now be part of the NXT broadcasting team.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVp4v6IgOoc/

Tag Team on SmackDown Splitting Up Soon?

It looks like the RAW brand isn’t the only brand that is splitting up tag teams, as it looks like The Hype Bros will be going their separate ways as well.

Bryan Alvarez discussed Zack Ryder’s recent return to SmackDown Live and speculated that Ryder’s days of teaming with Mojo Rawley would soon be ending. The belief is WWE once had plans to push The Hype Bros prior to Ryder’s injury that sidelined him for six months. WWE was forced to change their plans after the injury and decided on new plans that would see Mojo as a singles star.

It’s being said that WWE only put the two back together recently as a way to eventually split them up in storyline. Mojo is expected to continue his path as a singles star after the split.

WWE Plants the Seeds for Upcoming SummerSlam Match

As seen at Sunday’s WWE Money in the Bank during the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, WWE had a spot that saw AJ Styles and Nakamura square off in a little one-on-one action near the closing moments of the match. Bryan Alvarez discussed this angle on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Live and indicated that this spot was done to setup a match between the two at a future date — presumably at this year’s SummerSlam.

As of this writing, the following matches are being rumored for the show:

Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman
John Cena vs. Jinder Mahal
Triple H vs. Kurt Angle
AJ Styles vs. Nakamura

With WWE holding for back-to-back shows in the row at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, they are expecting to make this show as big as possible. Those events include NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III on August 19th, SummerSlam on the 20th, RAW on the 21st and SmackDown Live on the 22nd.

Rumor on Seth Rollins’ Announcement on Monday

WWE announced on Friday that Seth Rollins would be making an announcement this upcoming Monday on ESPN at 10:30 AM.

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed this topic on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Radio. Alvarez said that he’s heard that the announcement will be that Rollins’ is on the cover of this year’s WWE 2K18 video game. Meltzer seemed confused by this move by WWE, considering that Roman Reigns is considered the company guy.

Meltzer also indicated Kurt Angle will still be involved in WWE 2K18 this year in some capacity.

Possible Reason Why WWE Called Several Legends In for Sunday’s Money in the Bank Event

Sgt. Slaughter, Ric Flair, Greg Gagne, Larry Hennig and Baron Von Raschke have all been spotted in St. Louis this afternoon.

As previously noted via Wrestling Observer, these legends are expected to take part in a segment at Sunday’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view event. While it hasn’t been confirmed, it’s very possible that they could be doing some sort of “father’s day” segment, considering that is tomorrow’s holiday. We will keep you updated if we hear anything as we head into tomorrow’s event.

Rumored Matches for This Year’s SummerSlam Event

The following matches are being rumored for this year’s SummerSlam event, courtesy of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman
John Cena vs. Jinder Mahal
Triple H vs. Kurt Angle

With WWE holding for back-to-back shows in the row at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, they are expecting to make this show as big as possible. Those events include NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III on August 19th, SummerSlam on the 20th, RAW on the 21st and SmackDown Live on the 22nd.

Triple H Frustrated With Vince McMahon

Triple H is reportedly frustrated with Vince McMahon and the recent booking of NXT Superstars on the main roster.

According to Wade Keller of Pro Wrestling Torch, Triple H hasn’t been very impressed with how Vince McMahon has used some of the NXT call-ups. Keller claims that Triple H is frustrated because he feels that his hard work is being wasted once a Superstar from NXT is called up to work the main roster.