Buy or Sell WWE WrestleMania 43 Match Card Rumors, Wrestlepalooza's Future and More
What would usually be a rather timid time for the pro wrestling rumor mill is suddenly WrestleMania week levels of wild.
It's not just Wrestlepalooza creeping up in mid-September, either. Now, it's all the buzz and slow revelations around an unexpected international WrestleMania event coming soon.
Triple H announced WrestleMania 43 will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
As if all the buzz about The Rock and other legends like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin weren't enough, the rumor mill also contains the usual suspects: Think, general booking plans for big names and free agency buzz around Superstars with contract drama around their names.
While it's a tall task, let's help fans keep track of the must-know items below, plus whether each item is worth buying or selling as legit.
AJ Styles Contract Buzz
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The Rumor
AJ Styles remains a hot name. According to Jon Alba of SI (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), the veteran put out plenty of feelers with other promotions before re-upping with WWE.
Reaction
The report goes on to note that the "convention circuit" had major interest in Styles. Given his long history outside of WWE (though it's wild to think he's been in WWE since 2016 now), it only makes sense that lots of promotions would eyeball his availability.
Buy or Sell?
Let's sell on the idea of Styles ever leaving WWE, or even seriously putting out feelers to other companies. He's a major name, 48 years old and can only get the mixture of money, exposure and retirement matches he deserves in WWE.
More WrestlePalooza?
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The Rumor
Don't count on this month's WrestlePalooza being a one-off. According to Fightful (h/t Ortman), the idea is to boost that brand name in a big way, then feature it in multiple overseas events per year.
Reaction
Now we might know why the real branding behind this month's event is Wrestlepalooza: Indianapolis. It's technically the fifth Wrestlepalooza ever, too, albeit previously put on by ECW.
Buy or Sell?
Buy. Maybe this idea wasn't super-obvious at first. But the aggressive TKO-led expansion of WWE continues to mean expanding the company's portfolio of events alongside its global reach. Multiple Wrestlepalooza showcases per year is the next evolution of that.
Rusev Plans Update?
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The Rumor
What's next for Rusev? According to Bodyslam.net (h/t Ortman), the running idea behind the scenes is bringing back Ilja Dragunov for a feud.
Reaction
Rusev's big return to WWE feels like it has been an up-and-down thing to this point. Getting him in the ring with a name like Dragunov and letting them go wild while uplifting each other, at least, would make some sense.
Buy or Sell?
Buy. Dragunov has been out with an injury and this is a really good opportunity to put a spotlight on what he can do. Rusev hasn't been in the headliner role despite some fun stuff with the likes of Sami Zayn and Sheamus in recent months, but a feud like this could have some show-stealing potential.
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WWE Legends on the Way to 'Mania?
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The Rumor
With WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia, the attention turns to who. According to Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer (h/t Ortman), names like Undertaker, Rock, Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels will get big-money offers to appear.
Reactions
Shows in Saudi Arabia have always had an almost throwback feel to them, at times not even meshing completely with current booking in "mainline" WWE. It's only natural to think those types of big names will get floated more and more before the event.
Buy or Sell?
Easiest buy of the week. That doesn't guarantee those guys show up a few years from now, of course. But an overseas 'Mania is a landmark occasion that almost demands such historic names make an appearance in some capacity.
WrestleMania Planning Details Buzz
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The Rumor
Buzz around the big reveal is only just getting started. According to Meltzer (h/t Ortman), WWE actually wanted 'Mania to go overseas in 2028, but were sold on 2027 to align with the 300th anniversary of Saudi Arabia's founding.
Reaction
The writeup also mentions that many outlets expect that to be the only 'Mania of 2027, which makes sense. A two-night affair as is, future non-United States 'Mania destinations will want to see that precedent set, too.
Buy or Sell?
Buy, as it all certainly lines up on the calendar. And there's no reason to think WWE would devalue one 'Mania by trying to run two in one year. If that were the case, it wouldn't carry that WrestleMania brand name or come close to being this big of a deal.
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