BS Meter on Chris Jericho's WWE Status, Roman Reigns and AJ Lee's Return Rumors, More
The pro wrestling rumor mill didn't really need any help to be almost overwhelming, yet here comes the Royal Rumble at the end of the month, anyway.
Overwhelming is an apt word for the pro wrestling landscape right now, too. There's buzz around company-hopping moves for fast-risers and impending retirees, buzz about absences, injuries and plans that stretch all the way to WrestleMania.
That's to say nothing about possible Royal Rumble entrants, outcomes and surprises as the event looms on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
To help fans keep pace with the mill, let's put the most notable rumors against a BS Meter, with 10 being the highest form of unbelievable buzz fans can safely dismiss.
AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch plans?
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The Rumor
It would appear fans will get their dream match on the biggest stage. According to WrestleVotes Radio (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch is "locked in" for WrestleMania 42.
Reaction
While Lynch has been running around having great Intercontinental Title matches and feuds, Lee has notably been absent. Granted, there was never a guarantee her return last year would be anything other than limited part-time, but it's starting to get more attention.
BS Meter: 1
Easy enough to buy. If there's a ramp-up for Lee's next match, it's bound to be 'Mania season. Hard to say if an actual title will be at stake when the two link up, but it's a super-obvious match to have between two veterans, given the history there and the fan interest.
Unexplained absences buzz
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The Rumor
What's up with some big absences? According to PW Insider (h/t Ortman), big names like the Street Profits and Rusev are completely off television for "strategic reasons" until something comes up for them.
Reaction
Some names were going to fall through the cracks, right? WWE is oversaturated, but the rosters are also bloated. It's hard to keep everyone on television, let alone ask fans to keep up with everyone.
BS Meter: 1
Better to be off television and a surprise return later than taking losses and stuck in purgatory. Case in point, Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford haven't had a match since a Main Event episode in October. Similar story for Rusev, whose most recent feud was…Otis. Better to wait until the creative team comes up with something good.
Chris Jericho buzz
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The Rumor
Chris Jericho is the biggest buzzing name right now when it comes to company-hopping. But according to Mike Johnson of PW Insider (h/t Ortman), Jericho's band commitments will prevent him from popping up at SmackDown or even Saturday Night's Main Event in Montreal on January 24 over the weekend.
Reaction
Does it feel too soon for a Jericho return? Montreal is an appealing place for him to do it. But so is the Royal Rumble itself. His return still feels inevitable, but the placement of it figures to happen on an even bigger stage.
BS Meter: 5
This is WWE and pro wrestling, so, this rumor could be a leak to keep fans off the trail. Maybe he pops up over the weekend, anyway. It's not necessarily a thing that would drive up viewership for these events, though, so the rumble still feels more likely.
Powerhouse Hobbs name change?
4 of 6The Rumor
The Powerhouse Hobbs buzz isn't going to slow down now. As Ortman noted, speculation is running rampant that WWE filing a trademark for the name "Royce Keys" is all about Hobbs' eventual debut.
Reaction
A day after the trademark news went viral, Fightful Select (h/t Ortman) reported that Hobbs has indeed signed a WWE contract. The timing of it all would certainly seem to indicate that the former AEW star is on his way to WWE.
BS Meter: 3
There's certainly something to be said for the timing here. We'll see if Royce Keys is really the name all involved go with, but it has been super obvious that Hobbs was eventually WWE-bound. He's already in his mid-30s and he might have a chance at being a heavyweight fighting in the main-event scene in WWE, so there's a now-or-never feel around the whole thing.
Roman Reigns Royal Rumble, WrestleMania buzz
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The Rumor
What's next for Roman Reigns? According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Ortman), that should be made very clear at the Royal Rumble event itself, which will serve as a launching pad for his WrestleMania plans.
Reaction
Nothing too shocking here: the rumble is often what sets the course for top guys as they really start the march to 'Mania in earnest. Reigns last had a match at Survivor Series last year, where his participation was a surprise at all, really. The rumble is a much more predictable popping-up point.
BS Meter: 1
Easiest buy of the week. Reigns is obviously going to be at the rumble. And whether he's winning the event, getting eliminated in it by somebody or having a singles match, it's going to become pretty clear in a hurry what the 'Mania direction is. What's interesting is whether that's fighting for a title, starting a new feud with a fast-riser or getting back at it with Cody Rhodes. It's probably the most unpredictable and engaging Reigns has been in a while.
The Rock returning?
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The Rumor
It wouldn't be 'Mania season without rumors about The Rock. According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News), officials in Saudi Arabia will offer Rock the biggest contract ever to work a show ahead of the 2027 'Mania.
Reaction
No great shock here. The Saudi Arabian shows have historically loved their legacy acts and big names. Guys like Goldberg, Undertaker and so many more have appeared on those shows.
BS Meter: 1
Rock is one of the biggest names ever in pro wrestling. Those in charge of an overseas 'Mania will of course do whatever it takes to get him in the fold. Given the timing, this is a budding rumor fans are only just getting ready to start hearing for the better part of a year.
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