Welcome to the Grapevine! This section of Smark Henry is where we round up all the important founded and unfounded rumors floating around the pro wrestling scene that you may have missed over the past few days. Remember to take everything with a grain of salt!
Four matches internally confirmed for TLC
WWE has apparently already set four matches for this year's TLC. They are:
- Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE Universal Championship
- Jey Uso vs. Daniel Bryan
- Asuka and Lana vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler for WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
- Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt
Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan for the Universal Championship was previously rumored, but it's likely being done for Royal Rumble given the trajectory of the current storyline. These matches will likely be announced soon. (Source: Ringside News)
We say: This seems like a softball, considering this is what all the recent stories have been leading to anyway. The only surprising one was Daniel Bryan not getting his title shot yet, but we think we prefer him going the long way around, especially if it helps continue building up Jey Uso.
Braun Strowman injured
Braun Strowman being suspended indefinitely on last Monday's RAW is apparently because of a knee injury he's nursing. Braun is supposedly set to face Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at TLC despite not being in the triple threat to determine the new #1 contender this week, and him being at TLC is still unclear. (Source: Wrestling Observer Radio)
We say: We don't seem to be interested in a Strowman/McIntyre matchup. Just give Drew a smaller and faster guy this time around.
SmackDown tapings were a mess
Last week's SmackDown Live tapings were reportedly "a mess." Vince McMahon did not get in until noon, and nobody knew what was going to happen on the show before he showed up. Matches were announced late, and a considerable number of changes were made to the show. (Source: Ringside News)
We say: If this was really the case, it certainly didn't seem that way, because it still came across pretty cohesive. It wasn't a bad show at all, building upon the Survivor Series fallout well.
Let us know what you think of today's news in the comments!
Photo from WWE
: TLC 2020 Matches To Watch Out For, Braun Strowman Injured, SmackDown Note){kind=link}