WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Emma, Luke Harper and More
It was a relatively quiet week for WWE in terms of news and rumors. Considering the fact that Raw has its first brand-exclusive pay-per-view on Sunday night, Clash of Champions, it may be a good thing.
There is no distraction, no attention-grabbing headlines beyond Seth Rollins and Kevin Owen's WWE Universal Championship match that will headline the September 25 broadcast.
But that doesn't mean that a few Superstars aren't garnering buzz ahead of this weekend's extravaganza.
Emma was the topic of discussion Tuesday morning, as was her return to the squared circle and a potential landing spot for the Aussie competitor.
Also in the news was Luke Harper, another competitor returning from a potentially devastating injury.
And finally, the rumors of a potential WWE purchase of TNA Wrestling persisted.
Emma's Return
This past May, Emma underwent serious back surgery to correct an injury suffered just as she was gaining momentum in a feud with Becky Lynch. The injury was as ill-timed as imaginable, as she likely would have been one of the prized acquisitions of Raw or SmackDown in July's draft.
As she revealed on her official Twitter account, she is healed, cleared and ready to return to the squared circle.
While most would see her returning to Raw to bolster the heel side of things on that show, the most logical landing spot for her would be SmackDown. Not only would it allow her the clearest path to championship contention, but it would shore up a division lacking depth and place her on the same roster with real-life boyfriend Zack Ryder.
The unfinished business between her and Becky Lynch would also fuel the Emma-to-SmackDown flames.
Luke Harper Ready to Terrorize the WWE Universe?
According to Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com, Luke Harper was backstage at the September 19 episode of Raw. Not only that, but the former intercontinental champion is ready to return at any time.
The bruiser of The Wyatt Family has been on hiatus after suffering a serious knee injury prior to WrestleMania this past March. Arguably the best worker of that faction, his in-ring influence was missing from the Wyatts' performances throughout the spring and summer.
Now poised to return, he comes back to a WWE that is not familiar to him.
The Wyatt Family is no more. Braun Strowman has become a force on Monday nights, while Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan have an on-again, off-again friendship that appears to be the former at this point.
Where does Harper fit in? What role will he assume when he finally returns? Which brand will he call home?
One of the most talented brawling big men in the sport, he deserves an opportunity to showcase his abilities in an expanded role and is easily one of the most must-watch Superstars to come off an injury in quite some time.
WWE Makes Offer to Buy TNA...Unless It Didn't
There was speculation over the weekend that WWE had made an offer to buy TNA Wrestling. First it had, then it had not. It was a seesaw of reporting that went on over the course of three days. Meltzer revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Wrestling Inc) that there is, in fact, an offer:
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that there is a real offer from WWE but it was described as only if no other parties purchase the company. It also sounds like this is not a very recent offer. WWE would be interested in just the tape library as they push stars like Samoa Joe current WWE World Champion AJ Styles but Billy Corgan has already put in more money to get 30% ownership than WWE is willing to pay to get the entire package.
One could have easily assumed that WWE's greatest interest in TNA was its tape library. The company, for as much wrong as it has done over the last few years to kill its standing in the wrestling industry, has produced some of the hottest stars in the industry. The footage of their progression over the years would be invaluable to WWE and its streaming network.
Considering the special collections the company promotes on its network, a "Best of AJ Styles" or "Best of Bobby Roode" collection would be the perfect way to introduce those guys to an audience still only familiar with what they have accomplished in Vince McMahon-owned rings.
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