Multiple Title Changes Expected at Payback
SummerSlam was merely days ago and there were a number of title changes as part of the show, but once again there are a number of Championship changes expected to take place at Payback.
As of writing, there are just three title matches on the show with the Women’s Tag Team Championships being defended against Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax and the Universal Championship on the line in a triple threat no holds barred match between Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns, and The Fiend. The only other title match that is already announced will see Apollo Crews defend the United States Championship against Bobby Lashley.
Austin Theory is No Longer Part of the Raw Roster
Austin Theory was taken off WWE TV back in June after he was named as part of the #SpeakingOut movement, at the time Theory was part of a storyline with Seth Rollins and Murphy, but he was removed from TV without explanation. Rollins noted last week that the star was taken off TV due to “personal reasons” and he has since returned but on the NXT brand.
According to a report by PWInsider, Austin Theory is now a member of the NXT brand and will no longer be associated with Rollins and Murphy. There isn’t believed to be an explanation for the switch, but Theory appeared this week on NXT and could build a feud from his backstage segment with Bronson Reed.
Alexa Bliss as Sister Abigail: Theories Continue
Last night on SmackDown, Alexa Bliss arrived and was looking to braid her hair like The Fiend, as well as showing some distinctive changes to her behavior when seen in a backstage segment with Tamina and Nikki Cross. This comes just weeks after The Goddess was kidnapped by The Fiend and went missing for a week.
The former Women’s Champion seemed different on last night’s show but while many fans were focused on her change of hair, Tom Colohue of Sportskeeda noted that the hints for her future could have been in how she was dressed.
Bliss was wearing a skirt which was very similar to the outfit which Abby The Witch wears in The Firefly Fun House.
AOP Not Expected to Work With Seth Rollins When They Return
The Authors of Pain were part of Seth Rollins’ stable earlier this year before injury forced both members to be taken off WWE TV. There have since been rumors that Paul Ellering was set to make his return to manage the team ahead of the pandemic, which hints that the duo was not set to remain alongside Rollins.
The former NXT Tag Team Champions are set to make their return to WWE TV in the fall and according to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, the plan may see these two stars pushed in the Tag Team Division alone rather than picking up where they left off with The Monday Night Messiah.
Original Plans for Otis’ Money in The Bank Cash-In
At present, it appears that there is no concrete plan for Otis and his Money in the Bank contract since the Championship picture is filled with Braun Strowman, Roman Reigns, and The Fiend. That being said, according to Tom Colohue of Sportskeeda back when Otis won the contract, there was a plan for him to cash in on King Corbin, who was also set to win his first World Championship.
“The idea was that they could make a new star. But of course, there have been many changes since. It was supposed to be The Fiend vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania with Roman winning the Championship. That would evolve into a Championship match for King Corbin. King Corbin would be the man whom Otis would claim the briefcase on. Otis would be cashing in on King Corbin after he won his first Championship”
Sonya Deville Return Update
Sonya Deville was originally set for a hair vs hair match back at SummerSlam but given recent issues in The Pride Fighter’s personal life, Deville opted to take some time away from the company and came up short against Mandy Rose on Sunday night.
While Deville’s future is currently unknown, The Wrestling Observer reports that she will be returning to WWE in the future, and could even return under a new name, there is just no set date on when that will be.
Nia Jax Yelled at Backstage for Botches?
Nia Jax has been part of a number of botches on WWE TV in recent months, the most common one coming when she faced Kairi Sane a few months ago on Raw. Road Warrior Animal recently talked about the former Women’s Champion on The Legion Of Raw where he revealed that she was probably yelled at backstage because of the number of botches that she has been part of.
“Nia, before she got her knees operated on, was the perfect version of Nia. She’s so conscious now about not hurting anybody because she probably got yelled at a lot by the company because a lot of girls were getting hurt. She probably got yelled at and her method and the way she is doing things now is different. She’s not letting loose, she’s extra cautious. I guess she hurt Kairi Sane, which was a shoot, I think she probably got a talking to pretty good.”
As ever, wrestling fans are reminded that the above are just rumors and should not be taken at face value as facts.
