WWE Rumors: Randy Orton, John Cena and Thursday's Top WWE News
WWE is not ending the year on a positive note. By now, I am sure that most of you have heard about Randy Orton's injury. What we didn't know was how long he will be out of action, but we do now. We will have an update on his condition and what it means.
In addition to that, we will also have a look at someone else trying to defend John Cena against the boo birds. It always boggles my mind when someone not in the wrestling profession does that.
We will also have updates on some changes that have come/are coming for a few performers and how that might affect the future direction of the product.
TOP NEWS
Fresh Backstage WWE Rumors 👊
Modern-Day Dream Matches 💭
Most Likely Backlash Heel/Face Turns 🎭
Sit back, relax and start your Thursday with a healthy dose of WWE news.
RANDY ORTON OUT FOR SIX MONTHS
SmackDown just got a little bit weaker with Randy Orton being out of action due to a back injury that he has been dealing with for the first half of 2011.
Question on Everybody's Mind: How does Orton's absence affect SmackDown?
Our Take: While it would not be a surprise to see someone from Raw pulling double duty for awhile, my immediate reaction to hearing that Orton was out meant that Sheamus will be getting the role as the top babyface on the blue brand.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Injuries Happening At The Worst Time
Orton has taken a backseat lately to the stars on Raw, like CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler, but he was really starting to come into his own as a performer. His in-ring work has never been better, and with the Royal Rumble coming up at the end of January, WWE needs all the stars it can get.
Deeper Dive
Randy Orton Injury Update (Wrestling Observer)
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JOHN CENA'S FRIEND COMES TO HIS DEFENSE
I don't know if you have noticed but John Cena gets booed. A lot. That doesn't sit well with Monte Barrett, a 40-year-old boxer who is also a friend of the WWE star. He is bothered by the jeers because Cena always tries hard, while someone like The Rock can leave and be a beloved figure.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Is this guy serious?
Our Take: Whenever I hear someone say something like Barrett did, it just proves that they don't understand the wrestling business or the reason that fans react the way they do.
Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Reasons That Fans Hate Cena
Cena is hated by the male audience because he is a lame, catchphrase-spewing, smiling, happy-go-lucky, "Aww, shucks" performer. His promos are ridiculous and he doesn't make anything seem important. It has nothing to do with him always winning.
Deeper Dive
Friend Of John Cena's Comes To His Defense (SEScoops)
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MICHAEL COLE'S AWFUL ANNOUNCING BEING TONED DOWN?
If you have been brave enough to keep the volume on during Raw or SmackDown for most of this year, then you have heard the wonderful pipes of Michael Cole burying anything and everyone he could. It turns out WWE just now realized that might be bad for the product.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Cole be removed from the announcer's chair?
Our Take: Sadly, no. But I don't think that Cole needs to leave his post; it's not his fault that Vince McMahon made him play that annoying character. As long as he isn't burying the talent on-screen, he is okay.
Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Signs That Vince McMahon Is Seeing The Light
It's not on the same level as WWE actually bringing back Jim Ross to announce full-time, but as long as Cole isn't the same obnoxious caricature that he has been for most of 2011, everything will be better.
Deeper Dive
WWE Officials Discussing Michael Cole (Wrestle Zone)
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NEW STARS BEING GIVEN NEW DIRECTIONS
There are reports going around that WWE is looking to change up its direction with a number of new stars, including CM Punk, The Miz and Dolph Ziggler. What exactly that means, no one knows right now.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Is this change going to be good or bad?
Our Take: Considering the ratings for segments involving Punk and Miz have been terrible, I am going to say that the change will be good. WWE needs to figure out why these stars aren't drawing (bad booking) and do what it can to fix that.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Positive Changes In WWE's Direction
Without knowing any details about the change in plans, I am going to hold out hope that this is going to be good news. The ratings pattern for Raw last week had to open a lot of eyes to show the people in charge that what they are doing is not working.
Deeper Dive
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WWE PLANNING ELIMINATION CHAMBER AND WRESTLEMANIA MATCHES
It is not often that WWE plans ahead, but the Road to WrestleMania 28 could have them doing some different things. The company reportedly has its main event for Elimination Chamber set, and will be bringing back Money In the Bank at WrestleMania.
Question on Everybody's Mind: What's the Chamber match going to be?
Our Take: According to the report, CM Punk will defend the WWE championship against John Cena, The Miz, R-Truth, Kane and Alberto Del Rio.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Underrated PPVs
I have always been a fan of the Elimination Chamber show. It doesn't get the hype that it deserves because it falls in between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, but it is almost always a good show that does a solid job of setting everything up for 'Mania.
Deeper Dive
Raw Elimination Chamber Match Set (Wrestle Newz)
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