Welcome to the Grapevine! This section of Smark Henry is where we round up all the founded and unfounded rumors abound the pro wrestling scene that you may have missed over the week. Remember to take everything with a grain of salt!
Here's what we know about the new WWE Draft:
- The RAW and SmackDown rosters will be shaken up once again in a new Draft next month. As reported last week, there have been plans to reshuffle the two rosters in order to create more permanent lineups for each show. The Draft will begin on the October 11 episode of SmackDown Live, which is its second episode on FOX, and will end on the October 14 episode of RAW. There is talk that the writing teams will be reshuffled and split up as well, and some word of "other changes" that will be made to "freshen up" the shows. (Source: F4WOnline, POST Wrestling)
We say: This is a welcome change after the mess that was the Wild Card spring and summer, but the bigger concern at this point is the WWE's ability to stick to these new rosters after the Draft. They can do all the Drafts and Shakeups they want, but if they can't commit, then what's the point?
Also, bring back Talking Smack.
- The AEW World Championship belt was apparently found on the side of the road. The bizarre tale of the title belt's loss the other day wraps up after it was turned in to Tallahassee, Florida police by someone who claimed to have found it on a roadside. Other strange details include AEW World Champion Chris Jericho not reporting it stolen until after two hours it allegedly happened, the Tallahassee PD Facebook account taking down a photo of the belt before it was announced recovered, and the AEW Twitter account deleting a tweet thanking the police department. (Source: Wrestling Inc)
- The Roman Reigns/Daniel Bryan/Erick Rowan storyline on SmackDown had apparently been "botched so bad" that the show's creative team had to be reshuffled. Longtime WWE writer Ryan Ward of NXT fame is now out as SmackDown head writer, with WWE Vice President of Creative Writing and RAW lead Ed Koskey replacing him. There had been concerns about the direction of the show and how Vince McMahon had been heavily changing the script. (Source: The Wrap)
We say: You know the saying about too many cooks spoil the stew? That's likely what happened here. We may never know the full story until Eric Bischoff explains it on a podcast in the distant future, but it seems like so much meddling ruined the big storyline, which started with some promise.
- NXT Superstar Kacy Catanzaro is still under contract with WWE. There were rumors swirling of Catanzaro planning to quit due to a back injury, but apparently, she is fine and she was actually not quitting. (Source: WON)
We say: Another bizarre rumor, but to be fair, there actually was word of her leaving backstage. We'll have to wait and see.
Let us know what you think of this week's news in the comments!
Photo from WWE
