WWE News: Reviews, Analysis and Rumors for Week of May 27
If you thought that the WWE roster was thin before, then you had better brace yourself. A top superstar was shockingly suspended for 60 days and the company will now have to march toward SummerSlam shorthanded over the next two months.
While the suspension was undoubtedly the biggest news in the WWE this week, there were tons of other happenings as well. The company is building storylines in anticipation of No Way Out in a few weeks, and the card is already beginning to take shape. A stipulation was added to the big match between John Cena and Big Show, and the WWE Championship match was shaken up as well.
On top of that, several rumors have been circulating in reference to everything from The Undertaker's potential opponent at WrestleMania 29 to possible plans to unify two WWE titles in the near future. Rumors are constant in the wrestling world, though, so you never know what is legitimate and what is hearsay.
Keep reading for in-depth analysis of every major rumor and news piece involving the WWE for the week beginning on May 27.
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Randy Orton Suspended 60 Days for Wellness Program Violation
1 of 5Randy Orton hadn't been in the WWE main-event scene as of late, but with Chris Jericho suspended 30 days for denigrating a Brazilian flag during a South American tour, Orton seemed poised to enter a new feud with either The Miz or Dolph Ziggler.
That won't be happening, however, as Orton has been suspended 60 days for his second violation of the WWE Talent Wellness Program, according to WWE.com. Orton had been suspended on two previous occasions, but since one of those was for poor behavior rather than a wellness violation, his latest transgression won't result in termination.
My Take
There is no question that news of Orton's suspension came as a big surprise. Orton was known as a bit of a problem child early in his career, but all accounts are that he has really matured and put his issues behind him. That makes Orton's violation of the Wellness Policy shocking since he appeared to have turned over a new leaf. Orton is now treading on thin ice because one more violation will result in him being fired.
His actions have put the WWE in a very tough spot as they prepare for No Way Out. Aside from John Cena vs. Big Show, the WWE Championship match and the World Heavyweight Championship match, there isn't much to fill out the rest of the card. Orton would have been of great importance in the mid-card against somebody like Ziggler, but now the WWE has to scramble.
I've never been a big Orton fan, but he is a solid in-ring worker and reliable performer, so there is no question that the WWE will miss "The Viper" over the next two months.
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WWE Considering Unifying Intercontinental and United States Championships?
2 of 5The mid-card title scene has been waning in importance in the WWE over the past few years, so there is often talk about something drastic being done to counteract it. Possibly unifying the Intercontinental and United States Championships has been mentioned several times, and according to F4Wonline.com, the WWE is considering the idea once again.
There hasn't been any indication as to when or why unification might happen and the rumor has yet to be confirmed, so nothing is set in stone as of yet. It is certainly an interesting thing to consider, however.
My Take
The WWE desperately has to do something to make the Intercontinental and United States Championships matter, but unifying them isn't the way to do it. There is enough talent on the roster that both titles can be used as vehicles to advance the careers of up-and-coming stars. The fundamental issue, however, is that the creative team doesn't seem capable of developing a proper storyline for anyone other than John Cena and maybe CM Punk.
There is far too much emphasis being placed on one or two feuds when there are several that should be developed at a time. Both the Intercontinental and United States Championships can be stepping stones toward world titles for guys like Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler, but they are used as props instead. The titles aren't the issue as much as shoddy writing is. Both titles can serve a definite purpose, but it's a matter of making it happen.
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Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar in the Works for WrestleMania 29?
3 of 5When The Undertaker improved to 20-0 at WrestleMania back in April, many wrestling fans were unsure whether we would ever see The Deadman in action again. Taker hasn't been seen since, but it appears as though he may try to extend his streak at WrestleMania 29 in East Rutherford, N.J.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is planning to pit The Undertaker against Brock Lesnar next year. The WWE ran an angle that involved Lesnar quitting, but his contract only requires him to work a certain amount of dates, so it was obviously a setup for a future return. There is no doubt that a Taker vs. Lesnar match would create plenty of buzz.
My Take
Although Taker appearing for about a month out of the year isn't ideal, I don't have much of an issue with it if he continues to put on classic matches at WrestleMania. A match between himself and Lesnar would be intriguing to say the least as they had a bit of a run in at a UFC event a couple years ago after Lesnar lost to Cain Velasquez. He and Taker exchanged words and it was debated whether their beef was legitimate.
Whatever the case, the WWE can play off that encounter and make it seem like Undertaker and Lesnar have true heat with one another. I'm not a big Lesnar fan, but Taker always leaves me in awe at WrestleMania, so I'll be excited regardless of whom he faces.
Despite my feelings for Lesnar, his name remains a hot topic of conversation and his involvement will garner plenty of mainstream attention. That's exactly what Vince McMahon wants, so I can't see this match being anything other than a success.
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Kane Added to WWE Championship Match at No Way Out
4 of 5Over the past couple weeks Kane has been getting involved in the WWE Championship feud between CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, and many have wondered why. Punk and Bryan have used Kane as a bit of a pawn in their rivalry and Kane has taken exception to it, but the WWE Universe have been left to guess what the endgame might be for Kane.
That became much clearer on SmackDown as Kane was given a title match against Punk. Daniel Bryan interfered, however, as he attacked both men before Kane recovered and laid out Punk and Bryan. It was then announced that Kane would face Punk and Bryan in a triple-threat match at No Way Out for the WWE Championship.
My Take
I don't like this idea one bit. I like Kane and think that he is a good, solid veteran, but I don't want to see him involved in this feud whatsoever. Punk and Bryan are two of the best in-ring workers and most talented all-around performers in the company right now, so they should be having a one-on-one feud. Sticking Kane in the feud tells me that the WWE isn't sold on the ability of Punk and Bryan to be a headliner, though.
This also suggests that the creative team is looking for a way to protect Punk and Bryan at No Way Out. I have an inkling that Punk is going to lose the title with Bryan pinning Kane so Punk doesn't end up having to look weak. I don't have an issue with Bryan winning the belt, but why not have him beat Punk fair and square? That would allow them to continue feuding into SummerSlam, but apparently the WWE isn't as thrilled with Punk vs. Bryan as the fans are.
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Steel Cage Stipulation Added to John Cena vs. Big Show at No Way Out
5 of 5It appears as though John Cena vs. Big Show is being built as the main event for No Way Out, and although Cena wasn't on RAW this week, the rivalry continued to take shape. It was announced that their match wouldn't just be a normal bout, but it would be contested inside a steel cage. It is also being rumored that John Laurinaitis will be in Big Show's corner.
Perhaps adding the steel cage stipulation was done to increase the fans' enjoyment factor of the match, but I have to believe that this announcement is setting is up for a cheap ending of some sort at No Way Out.
My Take
I have made no secret of the fact that I am not a big fan of this feud to begin with. I've been bored to tears with Cena for a long time, but when he is feuding with someone compelling, like The Rock or CM Punk, I can tolerate him. The issue, however, is that Big Show may be equally boring, so there simply isn't much to get excited about with regards to their match at No Way Out.
Seeing as several top stars are suspended or injured, it appears as though this feud is going to last for the long haul as well. There really isn't anyone else for Cena to feud with right now, so I'm fully expecting a three-match series culminating at SummerSlam. Seeing as No Way Out is a lower-level show, don't be shocked if he defeats Cena with help from Laurinaitis as he unlocks the cage and aids in the giant's escape.
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