The Wrestling World is Buzzing with Secrets and Surprises! But here's where it gets controversial... What's really going on behind the scenes in the world of professional wrestling? From mysterious absences to scrapped training centers and contract disputes, the latest rumors are sure to spark debate among fans. Let’s dive into today’s Rumor Roundup and separate the speculation from the facts—or at least try to.
Wrestling enthusiasts love to speculate almost as much as they enjoy watching the matches themselves. In this daily column, we sift through the latest whispers and murmurs circulating in the pro wrestling rumor mill. But remember, these are rumors—nothing is confirmed, and we track their accuracy in our weekly Rumor Look Back feature. So, take everything with a grain of salt and enjoy the ride.
Today’s Headlines:
Andrade’s Mysterious Absence: In a recent Fightful Select Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp shared that sources close to Andrade described him as being in good spirits, but the reason for his disappearance from AEW television remains unclear. Despite his absence, Sapp confirmed that Andrade is indeed signed with AEW. One insider hinted that the issue isn’t solely AEW’s or Andrade’s fault, leaving fans to wonder: What’s really going on? And this is the part most people miss—could there be a bigger story here that we’re not seeing?
AEW’s Scrapped Performance Center: AEW reportedly explored opening its own Performance Center in Asheville, North Carolina, with wrestling legends like FTR and Adam & Beth Copeland as part of the coaching staff. Plans were so advanced that even Sting’s son, Steven Borden, was set to train there. However, the project was ultimately shelved due to the high costs of construction and maintenance. But here’s the controversial part: Was this a missed opportunity for AEW to solidify its training infrastructure, or a smart financial decision in an already crowded market?
Ridge Holland’s Contract Saga: According to Wrestling Observer, Ridge Holland’s last WWE contract was for ‘NXT money.’ Fightful clarified that while he was on a standard main roster deal, it expired in 2024, and he accepted a one-year extension for $200K less. The real shocker? Holland wasn’t paid extra for the TNA show where he was injured, and WWE likely covered his rehab costs despite no longer paying him. Would you have sued if you were in his shoes?
WWE’s Elimination Chamber Plans: Wrestlenomics confirmed that WWE is planning next year’s Elimination Chamber event for February 28 in Chicago. But here’s where it gets interesting: With the event still months away, what surprises could WWE have in store for fans?
WWE’s New ID Program Prospects: On social media, WWE teased that new ID program prospects are ‘coming soon.’ The question is: Who are these prospects, and how will they shake up the WWE landscape?
BJ Ray’s Attitude Issues: Booker T revealed on his Hall of Fame podcast that BJ Ray’s attitude issues weren’t just on-camera—they were off-camera too. ‘You can’t be that way,’ Booker T emphasized. The bigger question: Is this a cautionary tale for other wrestlers, or just a case of personality clashes?
Food for Thought:
As we navigate these rumors, it’s worth asking: How much do we really know about what happens behind the curtain in pro wrestling? And more importantly, how much should we care? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going!
See More:
- AEW
- Impact Wrestling
- Indies
- Lucha Libre (AAA/CMLL)
- Rumor Roundup
- TNA
- WWE
- WWE Elimination Chamber
- WWE NXT
