Buying or Selling Next Bloodline Star, WWE Reaction to Tiffany Stratton, More Rumors

Buying or Selling Next Bloodline Star, WWE Reaction to Tiffany Stratton, More Rumors 0 of 5

The pro wrestling rumor mill continues to surge despite some of the biggest items coming true.

Case in point, Kazuchika Okada is officially a member of AEW after this week’s big reveal.

That was one of the biggest talking points for weeks and yet the rumor mill wont’ slow even a tad because now things shift to contract rumors, booking rumblings and a host of other details.

And over in WWE land, there’s buzz on items surrounding The Rock and even a possible new member to Roman Reigns’ Bloodline.

So if anything, impressively, the mill might only get more dramatic in the coming weeks. Here’s the important buzz to know and whether fans should buy or sell on each item.

Reaction to Rock Backlash1 of 5

It sounds like WWE can read the proverbial writing on the wall when it comes to how fans reacted to The Rock.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), those within WWE believe that fan backlash has actually helped the company in previously unforeseen ways.

It’s an easy buy. On paper, fans stepping in and spoiling a WrestleMania 40 headliner of Rock clashing with Roman Reigns sounds terrible. But WWE’s pivot—sticking with Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and involving Rock in other ways—likely means an extended storyline for the next year.

Whereas Rock was probably going to lose to Reigns and go back to Hollywood, now he’s going to make sporadic appearances for the next year as WWE (with the understanding of fans) works toward his singles showdown with Reigns a year from now.

Verdict: Buying

Tiffany Stratton’s Fast Rise2 of 5

Anyone with even a casual viewing interest in pro wrestling right now understands that Tiffany Stratton looks like a future headliner.

Yet according to Fightful Select (h/t Ortman), some in WWE were caught off guard with the fan reactions to her showings.

But this one’s a sell, as Stratton was readily over on weekly broadcasts before joining the main roster in early February and all over social media, too.

WWE’s booking speaks for itself in this regard, as Stratton won her main-roster debut, then bested Zelina Vega to earn a role in the women’s Elimination Chamber match, where she eliminated fan favorite Naomi before herself getting eliminated by Liv Morgan.

In other words, it would be a surprise if WWE was surprised—Stratton has “next big thing” status and has for some time.

Verdict: Selling

New Member of the Bloodline?3 of 5

Reigns’ Bloodline adding another member to strengthen the faction has been a sort of running joke amongst fans.

But it’s funny because it feels almost inevitable.

We might be closer to that point than ever, too. According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer (h/t Ortman), Tama Tonga could be a new addition before long.

It’s not hard to see why, either. Tonga, speculated as a WWE signing after leaving NJPW recently, is a seven-time UIWGP tag champion, among many other accolades and would thrive in the WWE system.

Adding more realistic layers to the Bloodline story is a no-brainer, especially if Rock decides to bring in his own muscle to help out over the next six months or a year if a family split occurs.

Verdict: Buying

Okada Contract and Plans4 of 5

Okada made his big debut with AEW this past week and immediately looks to be at or near the top of the card.

As expected, it took a big contract for the company to win a possible bidding war, with Tokyo Sports (h/t Ortman) reporting that the contract calls for roughly $4.5 million per year.

Fightful Select (h/t Ortman) followed up by reporting that Okada will indeed be a full-time presence for AEW which makes plenty of sense for such a big free-agent signing.

Both overall points register as a buy. Okada wasn’t going to come cheap for any company and the workrate was never really in doubt. What’s interesting is where things go from here, as the big debut was also something of a heel turn, with a possible hint at a feud with Kenny Omega in the future, too.

Verdict: Buying

Danielson vs. Ospreay to Headline Upcoming Event5 of 5

In what has to be a sign of a resurgence for AEW, Okada is far from the only headline item for AEW right now.

Meltzer (h/t Ortman), for example, has said that Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson is on the docket soon, while also describing it as a “dream match” that Tony Khan has held for the right moment.

As it turns out for this buy of a rumor, that moment could be at the upcoming Dynasty pay-per-view in April.

That makes perfect sense—maybe the event can’t see Okada headline against Omega given the latter’s health issues at the moment. But a must-see showdown between Ospreay and Danielson is one heck of a way to cap off a first-time event that has the potential to turn into an annual powerhouse.

Verdict: Buying