Wrestling Rumor Reality Check: May 2025 WWE & AEW Predictions EXPOSED! (2026)

Get ready for a dive into the world of wrestling rumors and predictions! This week, we're looking back at the wild world of WWE and AEW, six months ago, to see how the rumors stacked up against reality. Brace yourself for some accurate predictions, some controversial calls, and a few surprises along the way!

The Rumor Look Back: Unveiling the Truth

• PW Insider's report about WrestleMania 42 moving out of New Orleans and heading to Las Vegas in 2026 was spot on! It seems WWE is eyeing Allegiant Stadium for this mega event, and the deal is almost done.
• But here's where it gets controversial... WrestleVotes claimed Travis Scott would appear at Money in the Bank, but he's been MIA since WrestleMania 41. Did he flake, or was this just a rumor gone awry?
• Wrestling Observer Radio's Bryan Alvarez predicted a 7-on-7 match for AEW's Anarchy in the Arena, but it ended up as a 6-on-6 battle. No Gabe Kidd or HOOK/Kingston in sight!
• Fightful Select's backstage intel was right about Zoey Stark's injury. Unfortunately, she's facing surgery and a potential sideline for the rest of 2025.
• Votes' AAA wrestler list for WWE Worlds Collide was accurate, with no Alberto Del Rio in sight.
• Goldberg's retirement match is tentatively planned for Atlanta, Georgia, as per Fightful Select.
• The Wrestling Observer Newsletter hints at WWE's aggressive Mexico strategy, especially with the AEW and CMLL alliance.
• Fightful notes WWE's influence on AAA, with top people being 'knocked down a peg'. A corporate merger can do that, right?
• PW Insider's prediction about more major WWE events in Las Vegas seems to be coming true, with another WrestleMania on the cards.
• The odds favored Will Ospreay and Mercedes Mone for their respective Owen Hart tournament matches, but it was Moné and Hangman Page who emerged victorious.
• The odds also indicated Joe Hendry would retain the TNA world championship, but Trick Williams pulled off an upset victory!
• Scorpio Sky's podcast revealed his AEW absence might be due to an interview with Chris Van Vliet. Ouch, that's a tough one!
• The Observer believes a 'corrupted file' caused The Rock's movie to air instead of AEW Collision on TNT. The power of the Final Boss indeed!
• Vince McMahon personally pulled Charlotte Flair from a small independent film, according to Queen of the Ring X. Kamille stepped in, but WWE's alleged sabotage attempt has promoters up in arms.

And there's more!

• The Wrestling Observer Newsletter downplayed the significance of Seth Rollins replacing CM Punk in a Saudi Arabia promo video.
• Bronson Reed's addition to Seth Rollins' faction was a late decision, per Fightful. I liked the move, especially post-Rollins injury.
• Chelsea Green's broken nose is legit, but she's expected back soon, says The Daily Update.
• Liv Morgan's return to Raw was on the cards, and she made her comeback as predicted.
• The WON's talk of Jeff Cobb's new name, 'JC Matanza', didn't sit well with him, so they went with JC Mateo instead.
• Ace Austin, whose TNA contract is expiring, chose to join a larger company, now part of AEW's Bang Bang Gang.
• Dave Meltzer's prediction about Bronson Reed taking pins for Seth Rollins' group hasn't quite panned out. He's been booked stronger than expected.
• WWE's mandatory Zoom meeting for contracted talent focused on new medical treatments like PRP and stem cell therapy, a positive step forward.
• TNA's meeting at their TV taping had a different tone, with fines for slaps and throat-slashing gestures, and unhappiness over leaked memos.
• Fightful Select revealed the Double or Nothing main event outcome was a secret, with talent unaware Hangman Page would win the Owen Cup.
• WWE was interested in Willow Nightingale, but she re-signed with AEW, where she truly belongs.
• Hook's evaluation at Double or Nothing meant he didn't hit anyone with a golf club, as Bryan Alvarez noted.
• Dave Meltzer mentioned WWE considering asking fans not to swear, but it's unlikely to happen, he says.
• Jonathan Coachman claims Travis Scott flaked on the tag team match with John Cena, but we don't know the full story.
• Fightful Select's creative discussions about Asuka returning are still up in the air, with no clear timeline.
• The Observer notes many 'banged up' wrestlers in AEW post-Double or Nothing, including the Young Bucks.
• PW Insider's report on the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final decision between Will Ospreay and Hangman Page being up in the air until the last minute was accurate.
• Stephanie Vaquer's move to Raw and Jordynne Grace's shift to SmackDown were predicted by Cory Hayes, but Grace ended up in NXT.
• WWE kept Vaquer's loss a secret internally, per Fightful Select, to prevent leaks.
• The Draft that never was: Wrestling Observer Live's Bryan Alvarez believes WWE would have called up Vaquer, Grace, Fraxiom, Giulia, and Roxanne Perez if they'd gone ahead with the draft plans.
• Fightful confirms WWE's request for fans not to swear at NXT broadcasts from the Performance Center, with warnings but no removals.
• In line with AEW's 'banged up' roster, Fightful says match announcements for Dynamite were delayed as they assessed available talent.
• Britt Baker's five-year contract with AEW, and potential injury time addition, was revealed by Sean Ross Sapp.
• WrestleVotes' prediction about AAA and TNA wrestlers appearing on WWE Evolution 2 didn't come to fruition.
• The July 4 SmackDown will be taped in advance, as confirmed by PPG Paints Arena's posting.
• Every person Alvarez spoke to at AEW thinks their PPVs are too long, but Tony Khan seems set on his lengthy events.

This week's score: 13/20 - 65%
Overall score: 5,987/10,237 - 58.5%

Stay tuned for more wrestling rumors and insights! Have a fantastic week, wrestling fans!