Buy or Sell Bronson Reed Booking Plans, WWE's Rumored Request to Fans and More

The pro wrestling rumor mill has much to say about a wide range of WWE-centric topics right now. 

That’s typically fitting this time of year as Money in the Bank looms, which is usually a nice launching pad of sorts to start the build to major landmark moments like SummerSlam. 

But this year feels especially interesting with rumors relating to roster movement, celebrity involvement and one certain dominant faction running roughshod over the roster. 

There are, of course, notes about how WWE might handle those pesky briefcases, too. 

To help fans cut through the noise, here’s a look at the top rumors and buzz and whether they should buy or sell on each item. 

Bronson Reed explained?

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The Rumor

Bronson Reed is the latest member of Seth Rollins’ stable. Why? According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), it’s all about his ability to eat pins so the other two members of the group don’t need to often. 

Reaction

This one feels a little funky. Reed is a monster. He just fits. And it speaks to Rollins’ scheming, architect-like character that he’s able to forget the past and lure in a guy like this to help him out. It’s also one heck of a way for this stable to prop up two future long-term main-eventers, not just one. 

Buy or Sell?

How about a little bit of both? Reed just fits, for the reasons mentioned above. But he’ll also likely be the guy eating pins. That is…if the stable ever needs to eat pins at any point in the short-term future.

WWE asks fans for help?

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The Rumor

Profanity, of all things, is suddenly a topic of discussion around WWE. According to Meltzer (h/t Ortman), some in WWE have kicked around the idea of asking fans not to chant swear words during shows. 

Reaction

While a noble idea, it’s a foolish one. If anything, fans would chant swears more often, especially in bigger venues and non-NXT shows. For better or worse, it’s just part of the experience. 

Buy or Sell?

Sell. WWE must know better. Adults who bring kids know it’s a possibility. And given the other graphic content fans can pull up on Netflix alongside WWE, it’s not a big deal for the company to need to bleep out the odd chant that goes the wrong way. 

Travis Scott update?

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The Rumor

Speculation continues to swirl around Travis Scott. Jonathan Coachman, during an appearance on Behind the Turnbuckle (h/t Ortman), suggested that Scott “flaked” on the idea of a match at Money in the Bank. 

Reaction

Internet speculation suggested that Scott would team with John Cena. Instead, Logan Paul is in that slot as he pairs with Cena to take on Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes in what, frankly, looks extremely underwhelming. 

Buy or Sell?

Big sell. There’s no way WWE saw the reaction to Scott’s interference in the main event of WrestleMania and thought, “indeed, let’s run that back.” And if for some reason the bookers did, they are likely the ones that “flaked” to the fan response to said rumors. 

SmackDown runtime update

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The Rumor

So much for SmackDown going back to a two-hour format. According to WrestleVotes Radio (h/t Ortman), the planned end-of-May change to the runtime has been put on hold.

Reaction

While fans might seem to want a shorter blue-brand show, that doesn’t mean the company agrees. If the ratings remain good, the folks above WWE will want the show to keep on chugging along at its current runtime. 

Buy or Sell?

Buy. Wrestling has a super-solid fanbase. Much of what makes it so appealing to television networks is what they can put in these awkward timeslots otherwise (think, Friday nights) won’t draw nearly as consistent of an audience. Maybe the runtime changes eventually, but a pause on those plans isn’t a shock. 

Triple H and the briefcase 

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The Rumor

The Money in the Bank briefcase remains controversial. Just ask WrestleVotes Radio (h/t Ortman), who noted that Triple H doesn’t like the prop. 

Reaction

Fans have seemed split on the briefcase idea for a long time, too. And seeing as Triple H likes long-form storytelling, needing to potentially interrupt ongoing plans just to attach a title-challenge stipulation to two wrestlers per year would obviously cause some frustration. 

Buy or Sell?

Buy. The solution is to not do the briefcase anymore, which isn’t feasible unless they change the PLE schedule. From a fan perspective, the wildly erratic usage of the briefcase over the last few years could certainly be explained by those in charge not being in love with the prop.