WWE Rumors: Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, Undertaker and Thursday's Top WWE News
WWE is just three days away from closing out its pay-per-view year with TLC. While I don't have high expectations for the show from a buy-rate perspective, it does have the potential to be one of the better events of the year because of the depth on the card.
This has been a disappointing year all around as far as pay-per-view is concerned, but as long as we are getting solid cards, it is hard to argue with all of the weak storytelling that preceded these events.
On a different note, it is time to look at the latest rumblings and grumblings from the wacky world of professional wrestling and the insane mind of Vince McMahon.
TOP NEWS
Fresh Backstage WWE Rumors 👊
Modern-Day Dream Matches 💭
Most Likely Backlash Heel/Face Turns 🎭
WILL REY MYSTERIO MAKE A WRESTLEMANIA APPEARANCE?
It's surprising that it took this long for a rumor about a possible Rey Mysterio WrestleMania appearance to come out since he appeared on Raw this week, but there are rumblings that he could show up at the biggest event of the year in order for WWE to set the Guinness world record for people wearing a mask. Another report today refutes the claim, though.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Should WWE waste Rey Mysterio for something so pointless?
Our Take: How dare you call this pointless! It's WWE's chance to get mainstream publicity, which is really all that Vince McMahon lives for. But if Mysterio does show up, he might be able to do some kind of spot, since he will be seven months removed from knee surgery.
Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Lame Guinness World Records
Rey Mysterio is a character that WWE has used and abused in every possible way, yet he is still over huge because of his personality and appeal to kids. His absence has been felt over the last four months, and it was nice to see him back on Monday.
Deeper Dive
Rey Mysterio In No Rush To Return For WrestleMania (Wrestler Observer Newsletter, via Wrestling Inc.)
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WHAT EXACTLY WILL CHRIS JERICHO'S ROLE IN WWE BE?
While we all wait with anticipation for the return of Jericho on Jan. 2, at this point in his life it is doubtful that a long-term future in wrestling is something that he wants to do.
Question on Everybody's Mind: So just how long will Y2J be back?
Our Take: Unclear at this point, but it is not expected to be a full-time return. He will be there to collect a fat WrestleMania paycheck and likely hang around for another six months after that.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Chris Jericho Haircuts
It doesn't matter how long he comes back for, just that he is around to give us more great matches and compelling promos on Raw, because that is not something that we see a lot of right now.
Deeper Dive
Top 10 Superstar Returns (B/R)
Another Jericho-WWE Update (NoDQ)
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WHEN SHOULD THE UNDERTAKER RETURN?
While there is no return date set for the Dead Man, at least not publicly, we know that he will be coming back some time in 2012 to set up his WrestleMania match with Triple H. I would like to see him return shortly after the Royal Rumble just to get him on television for a few more weeks than we normally get to see him.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Undertaker wrestle more than one match in 2012?
Our Take: While it would be fun to see it happen, there is no reason to think that it will. His body is breaking down, if its not completely broken already, and he can't afford to take that chance more than once.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Paul Bearer Urns
There are few wrestlers left that can move the needle without actually showing up like Undertaker, and as we inch closer towards his eventual return, we have to enjoy him while his around, since this will likely be his last rodeo.
Deeper Dive
Undertaker Return Update (NoDQ)
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WOULD YOU RATHER BUILD A HEEL STABLE AROUND ALBERTO DEL RIO OR THE MIZ?
If you haven't noticed, Alberto Del Rio's push has stalled dramatically. That's because Vince McMahon is down on him, presumably because he didn't sell 1 million PPV's his first month as champion, so Miz is kind of getting the rub as the top heel for the time being.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Are we supposed to take Miz seriously as a heel?
Our Take: Considering that he is all of 5-feet tall with a perfectly clean face and a faux hawk haircut, it's understandable why no one has really gotten behind him as a menacing character. He would be much better served being a face.
Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Burials For Stupid Reasons
Vinny Mac always panics with his talent if there is not an immediate shift in business, which is part of the reason that no one gets over anymore. Putting the ball back in the court of someone the fans already don't buy as a top heel is more stupidity from the man in charge.
Deeper Dive
WWE Down On Alberto Del Rio & Miz (Wrestling Observer; Subscription Required)
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A FINAL FAREWELL TO "MACHO MAN" RANDY SAVAGE
I wanted to close today's report with a different kind of story. Time magazine released its "Person of the Year" issue and included is a fond farewell piece to Randy Savage. He was one of a kind and it's nice to see him get recognized for being the mainstream star that he was.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Will there ever be anyone like "Macho Man" again?
Our Take: Wrestling is so different today from back when Savage was a star, so it's highly unlikely. Plus, no one is ever likely to have the combination of charisma and in-ring ability that he had.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Fond Farewells
It has been six years since Savage stepped foot in a wrestling ring and 17 since he was in WWE, but his influence can be seen all over the sport and one more time, we say farewell to the great "Macho Man."
Deeper Dive
"Macho Man's" Fond Farewell (Time)
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Check back for more on the WWE as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of the WWE. For more WWE talk, check out Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss.
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