WWE Rumors on Rollins vs. Priest; Adam Cole Injury; Mercedes Claps Back at Fans

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Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe and All Elite Wrestling.

Rollins vs. Priest Reportedly Set to Main Event MITB

Seth Rollins and Damian Priest are reportedly expected to be slotted into a prime position on Saturday’s Money in the Bank card.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestle Features), the World Heavyweight Championship match between Rollins and Priest will be the main event of the show.

A few weeks ago, Rollins made a surprising return to WWE programming after missing over two months with a knee injury, and he instantly made it clear that Priest and the world title were on his radar.

At WrestleMania 40, Rollins dropped the World Heavyweight Championship to Drew McIntyre, ending what was an over 300-day title reign at the time.

McIntyre did not leave WrestleMania with the title in his possession, though, as CM Punk attacked Drew, and Priest took advantage by successfully cashing in his Money in the Bank contract.

Despite his status as a heel, Priest showed Rollins respect upon his return, and he was the one who suggested they face off for the world title at Money in the Bank.

The match became even more interesting in the weeks that followed due to some added stipulations. If Priest wins, then Rollins challenge for the title for as long as Priest is champion. However, if Rollins wins, Priest must leave The Judgment Day.

Priest has been at odds with Judgment Day stablemate Finn Bálor in recent weeks, leading to some speculation that Bálor may turn on him at MITB.

If Rollins and Priest are indeed in the main event match at Money in the Bank, it suggests a major storyline development such as that is quite likely.

Adam Cole Injury Update

Adam Cole has been out of action for 10 months due to an ankle injury, but he is reportedly progressing toward a return.

According to Meltzer (h/t WrestleTalk), Cole still has “a little time left out of action” due to the “complexity” of his injury, but Cole is hopeful he won’t be out much longer.

Meltzer added that Cole is “able to walk now, so he’s on the way back.”

Cole injured himself in September in a freak accident, as he was running to ringside to serve as MJF’s corner man during an AEW World Championship match between MJF and Samoa Joe.

Despite being on the shelf and unable to wrestle, it was revealed in December that Cole was the mysterious “Devil” character, who was working to get the world title off of MJF.

Cole and his group of Wardlow, Roderick Strong, Matt Taven and Mike Bennett attacked MJF at World End and seemed poised to take over AEW, but it is fair to say that the angle ended up falling flat.

That is primarily due to the fact that both Cole and MJF were out of action due to injury and unable to wrestle.

Cole cut a promo at Double or Nothing, but he was interrupted by a returning MJF who hit him with a low blow.

Given that the issues between MJF and Cole still haven’t been resolved, there is seemingly a good chance that they will continue their feud once Cole is cleared to compete.

If that happens, then there is still a chance that AEW can salvage the Devil storyline that was never quite able to get off the ground.

Mercedes Moné Embraces Negative Fan Reactions

AEW TBS champion and NJPW Strong women’s champion Mercedes Moné responded this week to the surprisingly negative fan reactions she has been receiving lately.

As part of the All Elite Krew newsletter (h/t Wrestle Ops), Mercedes said the following about how she was received at Forbidden Door and the ensuing episode of Dynamite: “One thing I love about wrestling: the fans are quick to turn on you, and yet somehow that energy always ends up hyping me up more, so please, carry on, I do enjoy it!”

After 10 years in WWE as Sasha Banks, Moné made her AEW debut in March and she was heralded as one of the biggest signings in company history.

Initially, all fans were firmly behind her, but things started to change a bit when she was put into a feud with fan favorite Willow Nightingale.

The fans were split at Double or Nothing when Mercedes faced and defeated Willow, but at Forbidden Door last weekend, the vast majority of the fans in attendance seemed to be supporting Stephanie Vaquer over her.

Mercedes won the match to retain the TBS title and win the NJPW Strong women’s title, but the fans in New York weren’t happy, as they shouted anti-Boston chants throughout the match. Mercedes is, of course, from Boston.

Britt Baker made her return after a lengthy injury absence following Mercedes’ win, and they had an in-ring confrontation this week on Dynamite.

Once again, the crowd was against Moné, as they chanted, “Shut the f–k up,” while she was speaking to Baker.

Although the reactions have been somewhat surprising, Mercedes has had a lot of experience and success playing a heel over the years, so she should have no issue adapting.

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