Wrestling Rumor Reactions: JR to AEW, Fox want changes to WWE?

The world of wrestling rumors is a fast paced minefield, with WWE, Impact, NJPW, AEW and many more promotions constantly ushering in talent signing and releases, planning matches or other spectacles and shifting their backstage building blocks. Let’s see if we can make sense of what’s going on, shall we?

I’m Tom Colohue and these are your Wrestling Rumor Reactions.

Roman Reigns wants an off season

During a recent interview with TalkSport, Roman Reigns discussed the possibility of an off season in WWE. While steering clear of being openly pro off season, Roman did extol some of the potential benefits.

"“We do it the way we do it, and I’m never opposed to trying something new. This formula has worked and Sports Entertainment is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ industry. Unfortunately, we don’t have an off-season like most sports or other kinds of forms of entertainment or competition but, you know, I think if we could make it work, it would give a great benefit to our performers and our fans as well. It would definitely give our performers another couple of months if not a full quarter to rest and recover, not only just from a physical standpoint, but creatively.”"

The idea of an off season for WWE has been discussed many times previously but rarely by the talent themselves. While there have been many rumors recently as regards limited date contracts for some big name performers such as Orton, Styles, Bryan, Ziggler and the Hardy Boyz, WWE have never shown any real interest in taking a prolonged time off. If the bigger names were to appear less often that could give a lot of opportunity to people lower down the roster who have talent but little to no TV time.

Will there ever be an off season for WWE? Personally, I have to doubt that.

Fox want to see changes to SmackDown Live

A source speaking to Rajah.com has reportedly told them that Fox is looking for WWE to make changes to their product when SmackDown Live moves in the fall.

The changes mentioned directly are moving from a three person commentary team to a two person commentary team and “FOX is also looking for WWE to produce a more edgier product and that they aren’t looking to give into the PC culture that dominates current WWE programming.”

These potential changes are likely to resonate strongly with a large portion of WWE fans. The Attitude and Ruthless Aggression Eras, both of which were known for high viewership, are still very popular with fans and switches back towards that style of programming could be a popular choice.

Generally when it comes to TV, Vince McMahon is happy to negotiate. We could be seeing a vast difference between the Raw and SmackDown Live products by the end of this year.

Elias was due an Intercontinental title run that never happened

WrestleVotes conducted a Q and A session over the weekend. In response to a question about shock champions that never were, they had the following to say:

There was certainly a time in which it looked like gold was in Elias’ future but, fortunately or unfortunately, the drifter still ranks below ten year old Nicholas of Wrestlemania crowd fame when it comes to honors won in WWE. Thankfully, there’s still a lot of years ahead for Elias’ career.

The Good Brothers turn down major contract offer

PWInsider came out with a major report this week, stating that Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have turned down “multi-million-dollar deals” to commit further years to the WWE.

Sources have indicated to PWInsider that this decision is largely down to creative choices and the way that both men are being used on the roster. This is a popular theme at the moment of course. Both men are former Bullet Club members so it’s likely that we’ll see Good Brothers to AEW rumors beginning soon.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp would also comment further, adding that Gallows and Anderson turning down their contract offers came as a surprise to WWE.

Gallows and Anderson are very talented wrestlers who have very rarely had the opportunity to show it on the WWE roster. The biggest miss for me if they were to leave though would be future seasons of Southpaw Regional Wrestling.

Jim Ross signing with AEW

Jim Ross has been quite open about the fact that his contract with WWE will be coming to an end in April, with no extension forthcoming. Sources close to Rajah had something to add to this.

Rajah report that once Ross becomes a free agent, there is an All Elite Wrestling contract waiting for him worth close to an annual package of a million dollars.

This would be a major signing for AEW, lending them credibility and getting a seasoned veteran in the door for commentary, contract negotiations and talent relations. There are very few jobs in WWE that Jim Ross has not had during his tenure. The other side of that coin though is that while WWE has moved on since the Ross-led eras, AEW will have to be careful to avoid the potential trap of being perceived as a WWE spin off show.

What rumors in the wrestling world are catching your eye? Let me know on Twitter or in the comments below.