WWE News: Reviews, Analysis and Rumors for Week of Jan. 15

With just one week remaining until WWE's second-biggest pay-per-view of the year, the Royal Rumble, news and rumors continue to roll in at a fast and furious rate. In addition to that, there were two surprising title changes in the matter of just two days.

One WWE star has been suspended yet again for violating the company's wellness policy for a second time, while a WWE legend is trying to get himself involved in the Rumble match. Also, there have been whispers of a current TNA star possibly being courted by WWE.

There is certainly never a dull moment when it comes to the WWE, and this week's crop of news clearly supports that. Here are the biggest stories and rumors surrounding the WWE over the past week.

Evan Bourne Suspended 60 Days for Second Violation

For the second time in three months, Evan Bourne has been suspended by the WWE for violating the company's wellness policy. According to Mark Satrang of Pro Wrestling Examiner, this latest suspension will last for 60 days.

The suspension prompted WWE officials to force Bourne and his tag team partner Kofi Kingston to drop the Tag Team Championships to Primo and Epico at a WWE live event following a near-five-month reign. Bourne is eligible to return in March, although he could have cost himself a chance to be on the WrestleMania card on April 1.

My Take

There's not much you can say about this situation other than that the WWE made the right decision. I can't speculate on exactly what Bourne tested positive for, but whether they were performance-enhancing drugs or simply recreational drugs, Bourne had it coming. In fact, I might have gone one step further and released Bourne if I were in a position of power within the company.

I'm not going to pretend like Bourne isn't a talented worker because he definitely is. His character is one-dimensional, though, and he has no promo skills to speak of. With that in mind, the WWE could have made an example of him by letting him go.

It looks like he's going to get one more chance, but he ruined a really good thing with Kingston. In a lot of ways, I consider Bourne to be quite selfish because his wellness policy violation resulted in Kofi being punished as well. Bourne is on thin ice right now, and he has nobody to blame but himself.

Read More:

WWE Rumors: Evan Bourne Suspended for Violating Second Wellness Policy from B/R

WWE News: Evan Bourne, Todd Grisham and Jim Ross Comment on Bourne's Suspension from B/R

Is WWE Pursuing TNA's Kurt Angle?

Former WWE star Kurt Angle remains under contract with TNA and is one of their featured players, but he made remarks on his Twitter page recently that WWE is pursuing him, according to Wes Sims of Pro Wrestling Examiner.

Angle said that his loyalty is with TNA, and he debunked rumors that he could be a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble match next Sunday. It's hard to say whether or not Angle was being genuine, as he has a reputation for telling tall tales, but it wouldn't be a shock if WWE was at least testing the waters with him.

My Take

As a close follower of WWE, there isn't much about TNA that I find to be redeeming. One of the few things that I do enjoy, however, is the work of Angle. Even at the age of 43, Angle can wrestle circles around most of his counterparts. With that said, I would be behind a WWE return 100 percent, as there are plenty of solid youngsters who he could feud with.

Angle said that he wouldn't return to the company, but if the price and the situation is right, then I could see it happening one day. TNA misuses much of its talent, but Angle may be one of the only wrestlers who is actually utilized properly. Since he is a big part of the company and has a light travel schedule, I don't see Angle leaving any time soon.

At the same time, though, I wouldn't be surprised if Angle was fabricating this story in order to generate some interest from WWE. He isn't getting any younger, so if Angle ever wants one last run in the company, then it has to happen soon. I, for one, hope it does.

Read More:

WWE News: Is Kurt Angle Returning to WWE a Real Possibility? from B/R

Kurt Angle: I'll Never Go Back to WWE from The Sun

Primo and Epico Win Tag Team Championships at House Show

As a result of Evan Bourne's second suspension for violating the WWE wellness policy, Primo and Epico beat Air Boom for the WWE Tag Team Championships at a house show in Oakland, Calif. on Sunday. The title change came as a bit of a shock, and it took some time before it could be properly confirmed.

The teams had been battling each other for the previous few weeks at live events, and the finish was usually Primo and Epico thinking they had won the titles before the referee reversed the decision and Air Boom ultimately retained. That wasn't the case this time, however, as the surprising victory stood.

My Take

While this news initially struck me as odd, it didn't take me too long to warm up to it. For one, I'm a huge fan of Primo and Epico as a team. Primo is a prototypical tag team wrestler, and it is nice to see him atop the mountain once again after being wasted since the release of his brother Carlito.

Also, the notion of a title changing hands at a house show was intriguing as well. While it has happened on a number of occasions, most notably The Mountie beating Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Championship, a title change at a live event is quite infrequent. Because of Primo and Epico's triumph, however, there is much more unpredictability involved.

I realize that the only reason the title change took place was because of Bourne's suspension, but I'm totally behind it. A new and exciting tag team is now in the spotlight, WWE live events got a major push, and, of course, anything that gets Rosa on television more is a good thing.

Read More:

WWE Breaking News: Primo and Epico Win the Tag Team Championships from B/R

WWE Tag Team: How Will Titles Be Booked Without Air Boom in the Division? from B/R

Mick Foley Set to Enter Royal Rumble?

Mick Foley returned to WWE programming again on Monday as he announced his intention to enter the Royal Rumble in the opening segment of RAW. Dolph Ziggler came out and buried the notion in what was an incredibly entertaining interaction between the two. Foley said that he wanted his youngest children to see him wrestle and that he planned on winning the Rumble.

Interim RAW general manager John Laurinaitis rejected Foley's proposal and said he wouldn't be permitted to enter the match. Later in the night, Foley helped CM Punk win a six-man tag match after his partners left the ring. Foley wasn't a legal participant, however, and Laurinaitis ended the night by hitting the hardcore legend with a microphone.

My Take

Although Laurinaitis shot down Foley, I have to believe that he will find a way to be in the Rumble in some capacity. There are at least a couple legends or surprise entrants in the Rumble match every year, so there's no reason why Foley can't make an appearance. There's no way they would have planted the seed if it ultimately isn't going to happen, in my opinion.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Foley's RAW appearance, though, was his interaction with Ziggler. This could be setting up a number of things, one of which could be a match between the two at WrestleMania. That would be an entertaining old school versus new school bout, but I see it going a different direction.

Since Laurinaitis is going to help Ziggler beat Punk for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble as the special guest referee, Foley will somehow get involved and help Punk retain. This will lead to Ziggler entering the Rumble match itself, which he will subsequently win. Ziggler took too much of an interest in the Rumble match on Monday for him not to be involved.

Read More:

WWE Royal Rumble 2012: Mick Foley Responds to Rumble Exclusion from B/R

Mick Foley Reveals When He Will Be Ready for One More Match from Wrestle Zone

Jack Swagger Wins United States Championship, John Cena Embraces Hate

After the WWE Tag Team Championships changed hands at a house show on Sunday, Jack Swagger surprisingly defeated Zack Ryder for the United States Championship on RAW. In a lot of ways, this came out of left field, as Swagger seemingly hadn't won a match in months and Ryder was extremely over as the champion.

It turned out that Ryder wasn't medically cleared to compete after being attacked by Kane the previous week. RAW general manager John Laurinaitis was handed the note, but he neglected to read it before the match. He admitted his mistake afterward, but the decision stood.

Swagger was scheduled to have a match with John Cena later in the night, but Cena simply destroyed Swagger before the bell even rang, as he was angry with the way Ryder was treated. This prompted Kane to congratulate Cena for beginning to "embrace the hate."

My Take

I'm one of the few Swagger fans on the planet, but I'm also a fan of Ryder so I was a bit torn with regards to this result. Ultimately, though, I like it. Swagger has been an afterthought for far too long since losing the World Heavyweight Championship, so hopefully, winning the US title will allow him to score some actual victories and become meaningful again.

As for Ryder, the injury angle kept him looking strong, and his popularity isn't going to wane. I think we'll see a rematch between these two at WrestleMania, with Ryder regaining the title. Actually winning the belt on the grandest stage of them all rather than retaining it will be better for Ryder's legacy anyway.

The Cena angle was also well executed since it represented yet another step in the evolution of his character. It would be great for him to have a bit of an edgier side as his feud with Kane continues and as he prepares to face The Rock at WrestleMania. It's hard to say if a heel turn will ensue, but an altered persona at the very least looks to be in the cards.

Read More:

Who Should Beat Jack Swagger for the WWE U.S. Title? from Wrestling News Source

Jack Swagger Becomes New WWE United States Champion on RAW from WhatCulture!