Undertaker, Kevin Owens and Latest WWE News and Rumors from Ring Rust Radio

Ring Rust Radio is the best wrestling show on the airwaves, and this week was no different. With strong opinions on the Undertaker, Kevin Owens and more, this is where you need to go to get all of your weekly WWE nuggets.

Bleacher Report featured columnists Mike Chiari, Donald Wood and Brandon Galvin give the lowdown on everything going on in the wrestling world. Global Force Wrestling founder Jeff Jarrett also joined the show to offer his inside perspective on the business.

With another unpredictable episode of Ring Rust Radio in the books, you can't afford to miss another second of the action. Catch us live every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET (some language NSFW) or follow us on Twitter @RingRustRadio.

We may just read your questions and comments live on the air. Visit our website at RingRustRadio.com. You can also email us here: [e-mail].

Some language NSFW.

Upcoming Guests/Events

July 28: TNA star DJ Z

Aug. 4: Lucha Underground star Brian Cage

The Undertaker Returns to Attack Brock Lesnar at Battleground

Brock Lesnar was seemingly on the verge of defeating Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Battleground, but he was interrupted by a returning Undertaker, who attacked him and hit him with a pair of Tombstones. It was then announced on Raw that the Beast Incarnate and the Phenom will lock horns at SummerSlam.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Taker Being Brought Back the Right Way?

Lesnar ended the Undertaker's incredible undefeated streak at WrestleMania at the 30th edition of the event, and neither he nor Paul Heyman has let anyone forget it since. Although Taker returned to face Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 31 and didn't involve himself with Lesnar, he explained on Raw that he was tired of the Conquerer and Heyman constantly bringing up the fact the Streak was over. Because of that, he decided to take away Lesnar's opportunity to win the world title.

That led to a highly entertaining brawl that saw the majority of the locker room attempt to intervene. Nobody could hold back Lesnar or the Undertaker until the Beast was ultimately subdued with zip ties and arrested. The melee was a great follow-up to what occurred at Battleground, but it is fair to question if bringing the Deadman back in this scenario is the best move for WWE. It should lead to increased interest from casual fans, but there are certainly reasons to be concerned.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

WWE undoubtedly dropped the ball at Battleground by cutting the title match between Lesnar and Rollins woefully short. The event ended 15 minutes early, which means they could have easily gone another 10 minutes before the Undertaker's appearance. Also, both Rollins and the referee disappeared in an unexplained manner.

Taker's return essentially threw the world title onto the back burner, and it will remain there with Lesnar and the Undertaker set to headline SummerSlam.

While the decision to bring the Undertaker back was likely financially driven—in terms of increasing television ratings and WWE Network buys—it came at the expense of sensibility, since it is bizarre the Phenom waited more than 15 months before exacting revenge. In addition to that, the Undertaker is very much putting his health on the line.

He was concussed in his last match against Lesnar, and the fact that he is a 50-year-old going against perhaps the greatest physical specimen professional wrestling has ever seen doesn't bode well for him if he wants to escape SummerSlam in top condition.

Add in the fact that neither Taker nor Lesnar can afford to lose, and there are plenty of problems overshadowing what should be a celebrated moment. Perhaps it can be saved by an interference from Sting, setting up the long-awaited Sting versus Undertaker match at WrestleMania, but a straight-up finish could be significantly damaging to the loser.

Rumor Mill

Backstage updates regarding Sting (Wrestling Observer Newsletter via WrestlingInc.com)

Kevin Owens Falls to John Cena at Battleground

Kevin Owens was heralded as the next big thing in WWE when he defeated John Cena cleanly at Elimination Chamber in his first main-roster match. Just a couple months later, though, there is legitimate concern among WWE fans with regard to KO's standing in the company, as he was forced to tap out by Cena in their United States Championship match at Battleground.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is This the Beginning of the End for Owens?

Despite Owens' landmark victory over Cena, many of the U.S. champion's detractors figured it was only a matter of time before he would get the upper hand on the former NXT champ. Cena evened the series at Money in the Bank before beating Owens at Battleground. Rather than simply beating KO, however, he made the Canadian Superstar submit to the STF, which certainly hurt his dominant-heel persona.

Owens looked great from an in-ring perspective at Battleground, as he once again went move for move with Cena and even kicked out of the Attitude Adjustment. However, tapping out seemed to be the final nail in the coffin of his feud with the 15-times world champion. That notion was bolstered by Owens getting no mic time on Raw before scuffling with tag team partners Sheamus and Rusev, and walking out on his match against Cena, Randy Orton and Cesaro.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

There is no arguing against the notion Owens' considerable momentum has been halted, but that doesn't mean his journey toward the top has been derailed for good. Many like to point toward Cena's decisive feud victories over Rusev and Bray Wyatt as proof that Owens is destined to be little more than a midcarder, but those members of the WWE Universe aren't taking into account that KO is on an entirely different level to Rusev and Wyatt in terms of his overall talent.

Owens has it all, from incredible in-ring ability to excellent mic skills and a great character. Everyone sees what type of potential he possesses, and WWE simply won't let him flounder. Owens has a long WWE career ahead of him, and while losing to Cena may force him to take a backseat for now, it is far from a permanent thing.

Rollins lost to Cena at TLC last year only to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship a few months later at WrestleMania. It is far more likely Owens will take that path rather than failing in WWE.

Rumor Mill 

Backstage news on feelings about Owens (Wrestling Observer Radio via CagesideSeats.com)

RRR Interview with GFW's Jeff Jarrett

Global Force Wrestling is on the verge of entering the fray alongside companies such as TNA, ROH and Lucha Underground as an alternative to WWE. Like he did with TNA, Jeff Jarrett has built GFW from the ground up, and there is a great deal of buzz surrounding the promotion.

Prior to GFW's first television taping, Jarrett joined Ring Rust Radio to discuss what wrestling fans can expect from the up-and-coming company.

Question on Everybody's Mind: What's Next for Jarrett and GFW?

While Jarrett has yet to announce a TV deal for GFW, he revealed he is in constant talks and that three rounds of tapings are already scheduled. Despite the lack of programming thus far, GFW has managed to get some exposure on television because of Jarrett's recent involvement with TNA.

Many have speculated that GFW and TNA are working together, given Jarrett competed at Slammiversary and TNA stars Bobby Roode and Eric Young will take part in GFW's tapings. Jarrett didn't describe the exact nature of the partnership, but he believes it will be good business for both companies:

"

[At the] end of the day, and this may sound cliche, if the wrestling fans benefit, then nine times out of 10 the promotion will benefit. There was chatter about [my wife] Karen [Jarrett] and I coming back to that promotion, and that created positive chatter for TNA. That fed into the positive chatter for GFW, including Bobby and Eric, and all of that helps the promotion.

As we move along, it helps create brand awareness and creating a little bit of that mystique. People want to see fantastic professional wrestling, and that should be everyone's common goal. That's what we are headed for, and that is fantastic professional wrestling.

"

Working with TNA and mentioning the GFW brand on Destination America is a savvy move on Jarrett's part, since many fans will be aware of it once it does end up on television. Until that happens, Jarrett has a strong platform on which he can share his vision.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

While Jarrett has undoubtedly proved himself as a promoter and businessman over the years, most fans view him as a performer first and foremost because of the success he enjoyed in WWE, WCW and TNA. Although Jarrett recently wrestled for TNA, he has no plans to do so as part of the GFW roster:

"

[My chances of wrestling are] slim and none on the GFW roster. If you caught Impact when I made the surprise appearance, I told them that I don't know where the disconnect is. You are calling me to come wrestle, but I don't even wrestle for my own promotion. Then we talked through things and it was the King of the Mountain match and Slammiversary.

I like to keep myself in shape, but I wasn't anywhere close...to the shape I wanted to be in. I was happy with the match, but I have no plans to be an active wrestler on the GFW roster.

"

Things can change in the blink of an eye in the wrestling business, but at 48 years of age, Jarrett seems content to allow the impressive array of talent he has assembled to entertain the audience.

Jarrett has a ton on his plate when it comes to running the daily operations of GFW, and until his show is on television and firing on all cylinders, it is tough to argue with his decision to focus all of his attention on the business side.

B/R Article

Jeff Jarrett Talks Global Force Wrestling, TNA and More (via Brandon Galvin)

Ring Rust Radio's Season 9 Fantasy WWE Standings

1. Joe Arcidiacono: 105

2. Donald Wood: 60

4. Mike Chiari: 2.5

3. Brandon Galvin: 0

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio. Catch the latest episode in the player below (some language NSFW).

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