Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
WWE Reportedly Preparing Sikoa for Matches vs. Rhodes, Reigns
Solo Sikoa has been one of the most prominent Superstars on SmackDown since WrestleMania 40, and there is reportedly a specific reason for his sizable push.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestle Ops), WWE is planning for undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes’ next “big destination” match to be against Sikoa.
Meltzer (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News) also reported that WWE seems to be setting the stage for Roman Reigns to return as a babyface and go up against Solo.
Rhodes defeated Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 to win the WWE Championship, and ever since then, both Reigns and The Rock have been off WWE programming.
Despite Paul Heyman’s reservations, Sikoa has stepped up as the de facto leader of The Bloodline, and he has brought both Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa into the group.
Sikoa, Tama and Loa have formed the most vicious version of The Bloodline to date, and Solo is raising his stock with his consistently strong performances in his new role.
Since Rhodes is on SmackDown and The Bloodline are still the top heels on the brand, a match between Cody and Solo seems like a foregone conclusion, potentially as soon as SummerSlam.
That match could also open the door for Reigns to return from his hiatus, and when he does, it is easy to envision him targeting Sikoa.
Although Sikoa has claimed to be carrying out the orders of The Tribal Chief, there is no concrete evidence that Reigns told him to bring in Tama and Loa.
It is fair to wonder if The Rock is actually the one pulling the strings, and if that is the case, the Reigns vs. Rock dream match could be on the horizon as well.
Whatever the case, WWE is clearly planning some big things for Sikoa, meaning yet another massive star is set to be born from the Bloodline storyline.
WWE Reportedly Leaving Door Open for Ricochet Return
WWE appeared to write Ricochet off television during Monday night’s episode of Raw, but the company reportedly isn’t completely giving up on his return.
According to Meltzer (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), WWE ran the injury angle with Ricochet in an effort to create multiple avenues, as it could either be the way he departs the company, or it could set up a significant storyline once he returns.
After Bron Breakker beat Ilja Dragunov on Raw, he attempted to injure Dragunov, but Ricochet leapt into action and prevented it.
However, Breakker attacked Ricochet backstage, slamming him onto the concrete floor and through a car’s windshield. As a result, Ricochet had to be taken away in an ambulance.
The angle was run after PWInsider.com’s Mike Johnson reported that Ricochet had given his notice to WWE that he intends to leave the company once his contract expires.
Despite WWE remaining open to Ricochet returning, Meltzer noted that the “prevailing sentiment” is he still plans to leave.
If Ricochet does leave WWE, it is likely a safe bet that he will sign with AEW given that it is the second biggest promotion in pro wrestling and it has signed many former WWE stars over the years.
Also, AEW is home to Will Ospreay, who was Ricochet’s opponent in multiple matches that put both of them on the map.
Assuming Ricochet does not return to WWE, writing him off with a brutal beatdown was the ideal way to put some heel heat on Breakker.
Gable Reportedly Believed to Be Staying in WWE
Despite reports of his contract expiring this month, Chad Gable is reportedly expected to remain with WWE.
According to Meltzer (h/t WrestleTalk), WWE believes Gable is going to continue is pro wrestling career in the company after it made him “a great offer to sign a new deal.”
Meltzer added that multiple people in AEW pushed for the promotion to pursue him, including FTR, who wrestled as The Revival in WWE and had some classic matches against Gable and Jason Jordan in NXT.
It was previously reported by Fightful Select (h/t Mukherjee) that June 7 was the end date of Gable’s WWE deal, but he has appeared on WWE programming since then and will challenge Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship at Clash at the Castle on Saturday.
While that could mean he simply signed a short-term extension to finish out his time with WWE, the fact that he has been featured so heavily on Raw suggests WWE is relatively confident he will be sticking around.
Since turning heel on Zayn after WrestleMania, Gable has been one of the best villains in WWE, and he is perhaps closing in on his first singles title.
Gable winning the IC title at Clash at the Castle would likely solidify the idea that he has re-signed with WWE, but even if he doesn’t, there would still be plenty of story left to tell between him and Zayn.
