WWE Rumors on The Rock's Promo, Drew McIntyre's Contract and SummerSlam 2024 Location
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
Reported Details on The Rock's SmackDown Promo
Several people reportedly had a hand in the heel promo The Rock cut on last week's episode of SmackDown.
According to SEScoops (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), The Rock's promo was scripted, and the script was derived from conversations that involved The Rock, Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, head of creative Triple H, longtime creative writer and producer Michael Hayes and former WWE creative writer Brian Gewirtz, who has worked closely with The Rock dating back to his tenure as a full-time WWE Superstar.
When The Rock returned to WWE on an episode of SmackDown a couple of weeks ago, he was seemingly being positioned as a babyface and as the opponent for Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
However, at the WrestleMania Kickoff press conference in Las Vegas, The Rock appeared to align himself with Reigns, as he slapped Rhodes after The American Nightmare announced his decision to challenge Reigns for the undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania.
On last week's SmackDown, The Rock fully embraced his heel character, wearing an expensive vest and running down the live crowd on the mic.
The Rock also suggested that he is now a full-fledged member of The Bloodline, making the group arguably stronger than it ever has been.
During his promo, The Rock took aim at Rhodes and suggested that he was undeserving of the opportunity to face Reigns over him. It was also suggested that The Bloodline would make life miserable for Cody leading up to WrestleMania.
While it is possible The Rock will aid Reigns at WrestleMania, there has also been speculation that his heel turn is all a ruse and will result in The Rock turning on Reigns and helping Cody instead.
If that happens, it could make for one of the biggest turns and moments in WrestleMania history, and it would set the stage for Reigns vs. The Rock further down the line.
McIntyre Reportedly Expected to Remain with WWE Amid Contract Rumors
Although he reportedly still hasn't officially re-signed with WWE, there is an expectation that Drew McIntyre is likely to remain with the company over the long haul.
Speaking Tuesday on Wrestling Observer Radio (beginning at the 1:10 mark), Dave Meltzer reported that while McIntyre had not signed a new deal as of last week, "he's not going anywhere."
Meltzer also expressed his belief that McIntyre had at least agreed to a new contract even if it wasn't officially signed based on the way WWE has been using him lately.
Over the past several weeks, McIntyre has been utilized as the top heel on Raw, and he has regularly interacted with several of the top babyfaces in the company, including Rhodes, CM Punk and Seth Rollins.
McIntyre mocked Punk a few weeks ago after he tore his triceps, and Punk vowed to go after McIntyre upon his return before The Scottish Warrior attacked him and attempted to further injure his arm.
It seemed at the time that it was unlikely WWE would tease a future program between McIntyre and Punk if McIntyre wasn't re-signed, but there still hasn't been any concrete information about Drew signing a new deal.
Fightful Select (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News) reported last week that there was injury time added to McIntyre's contract, so while his deal was originally set to expire shortly after WrestleMania, it was extended at least a bit beyond that.
Saturday's Elimination Chamber premium live event could go a long way toward determining McIntyre's WWE future since he is part of the men's Elimination Chamber match.
If McIntyre wins, he will challenge Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40, and he may very well win.
The fact that McIntyre handed Rhodes a rare loss on Raw due to interference from The Bloodline already suggests that the plan is for him to be with the company moving forward, but putting him in a main event match at WrestleMania would perhaps remove all doubt.
WWE Receiving Tax Credit from Ohio Amid SummerSlam Rumors
The state of Ohio is set to pay out a $1.675 million tax credit to WWE in 2024, furthering speculation that a big WWE event could be coming to the Buckeye State this year.
According to Cole Behrens of the Columbus Dispatch, Ohio is handing out $44 million in tax credits for movies and television shows that will be filmed in the state, and WWE is listed as one of the recipients.
While it could be a case of Ohio paying for episodes of Raw or SmackDown, or lower-end premium live events, the hefty amount suggests that a massive show could be planned for the state in 2024.
Back in October, Fightful Select (h/t Ortman) reported that Cleveland was considered the "front-runner" to host SummerSlam 2024.
Over the past three years, WWE has been running SummerSlam in NFL stadiums, putting it on par with other major WWE premium live events such as WrestleMania and Royal Rumble.
In 2021, SummerSlam took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, followed by Nissan Stadium in Nashville in 2022 and Ford Field in Detroit last year.
Cleveland isn't necessarily viewed as a summer destination, but neither is Detroit, which suggests that SummerSlam in Rock and Roll city isn't far fetched.
Also, Cleveland has a venue capable of playing host to SummerSlam in the form of Cleveland Browns Stadium, meaning the city essentially checks all of the necessary boxes.
Cleveland last hosted SummerSlam in 1996 at the Cleveland Cavaliers' home venue, which was then known as Gund Arena, but the event will take place on a much grander stage and scale if it returns to Cleveland in 2024.
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