Wrestling Roundup: Sasha Banks at Wrestle Kingdom, The Rock at Wrestlemania

Welcome to the wrestling roundup where we look at the biggest stories from the past week or weekend in wrestling. In the wrestling roundup, we not only will look at the news but rumours as well. Again fans love speculating on rumours. And all the rumours will be cited from credible sources in the wrestling world. Remember with rumours, none of them have been confirmed. With that said let’s dive into this edition of the wrestling roundup looking at Sasha Banks at Wrestle Kingdom 17, The Rock At Wrestlemania,

Wrestling Roundup

WWE News: Sasha Banks To Be At Wrestle Kingdom 17

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com, Mercedes Varnado aka WWE’s Sasha Banks is expected to be at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 event next month. The event will be held at the Tokyo Dome. There is no word if she will appear before the live crowd, but NJPW is bringing her to the event. Now, we have seen in the past that sometimes there are video packages sent in or backstage segments have been done to set up a match down the road.

Back in October, Varnado teased the idea of wrestling former WWE star KAIRI in STARDOM. In reply, KAIRI also wanted to wrestle Varnado. STARDOM and NJPW share the same corporate owner and recently did a crossover event where KAIRI won the newly debuted Women’s World Title. We know Banks has been training over the last couple of months in the United States and Mexico.

We know Banks has not wrestled since she and Naomi walked out of a Smackdown taping and has been listed on WWE’s internal roster for some time. However, she is still listed on the active WWE.com roster.

Per Johnson, Banks recently made a number of trademark filings related to her given name as well as the terms Mercedes Mone’, Mone’ Talks, Bank Mone’, and Statement Maker under the company name Soulnado, obviously preparing for her next move.

AEW News: Could Sasha Banks Be AEW Bound Too?

With the word that Sasha Banks is heading to NJPW for Wrestle Kingdom 17 and potentially fighting KAIRI that night or down the road, according to Fightful Select, there are several AEW Performers that are excited about the possibility of her potentially joining AEW down the road.

An AEW source spoke with Fightful and stated that having Banks as the anchor of the women’s division could significantly increase AEW’s viewership and ratings. Not to mention boost a division that sadly needs it. While there is talent at the top of the division it can only get better if Banks comes to AEW because people know who she is and what she can bring.

It will be interesting to see if and when this Forbidden Door is open.

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WWE News: WWE Wants The Rock vs Roman at Wrestlemania

WWE has big plans for this upcoming Wrestlemania in Los Angeles. Internally WWE wants to have Dwayne ‘The Rock” Johnson take on Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. The title of Tribal Chief would be on the line as well. While this is a great idea and will sell out Wrestlemania in Hollywood again, the deal still has to be closed. Right now this is more speculation and wishful thinking on WWE’s part.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter about WWE having this “pie in the sky” plan for The Rock to win the Royal Rumble as the final entrant and challenge Roman at Mania.

“The idea was being talked about behind-the-scenes, but as best we can tell, while rumors certainly exist within the company, as far as those who would be in a position to know, there is no real answer. If Johnson wants to do it and can be sold on the idea, it would be the most perfect scenario for the company.”

WWE usually starts planning for Wrestlemania around now and with the Royal Rumble a little over a month away, Dwayne has to let Triple H know his decision soon. Is it the best idea? No. But, it is better than having him wrestle in the Chamber to win a spot at Mania.

Speculation of this match happening continues to be fueled by little Easter Eggs being dropped over the past year. The most recent one is in Johnson’s show Young Rock. In the latest episode, fans spotted the WWE Universal Title in the Rock’s Trophy case. Since this show takes place in the future, The Rock never actually won this title when he was in WWE. He won the WWE Championship and unveiled the new look after he beat CM Punk for the title at the Royal Rumble in 2013.

You can never say never in this business, but until the Rock makes it official this is more speculation than anything. Plus, the Rock can workout all he wants, but he hasn’t been in the ring wrestling in a long time. We know what happened the last two times he wrestled. So there is that to take into account to.