WWE prides itself on secrecy and surprises. The idea that “anything” could happen is a massive factor in WWE’s popularity. At any moment someone could turn on a friend, an underdog could capture a title, or a long-gone fan favorite can make a surprising return.
But that secrecy, as is always the case, comes with a dark side. WWE is so secretive that they hide nearly everything not directly related to wrestling from their fans. From backstage drama, who Vince hates, and where the next big WrestleMania will be, there are dozens of secrets the WWE doesn’t want you to know.
We did a little research, dug through our reporting, and found over 20 of the biggest, weirdest, and sometimes darkest secrets that WWE doesn’t want the fans to know.
We’ll start off with a rumor so devestating, that it could rip WWE apart.
Roman Reigns Was Implicated In A Massive Steroid Ring
Roman Reigns Steroids” rumors had dogged him much of his career, including when WWE suspended him in 2016 for violating the WWE Wellness Policy. The cloud of steroid abuse is still hanging over the WWE. The latest allegations come from an alleged steroid dealer called Richard Rodriguez, who has named Roman Reigns and a bunch of other professional athletes and celebrities as his clients. Before we continue with the story, I would like to stress that these are allegations from an alleged steroid dealer. No proof has currently been given to indicate Roman Reigns is indeed involved with the steroid distribution ring.
If this next secret rumor comes true, the way you watch WWE will change forever.
WWE Could Move To Fox Next Year
Recent rumors are indicating a change in the world of television! It recently came to light that WWE and Fox are discussing a new deal. It is claimed WWE is leaving NBCUniversal, which owns the USA Network.
Fox has a more extensive footprint than the USA Network. However, the contract USA Network holds with WWE, which provides them with 3.018 million viewers on average in 2017, is one of the only things that keep the network going.
WWE is now considering a switch to Fox, which could be devastating for USA Network. The USA Network has held WWE for years, and Raw and Smackdown are the best performing shows on the network.
Next, another top star whose time could be nearing an end.
Bray Wyatt’s Time At The Top Is Over
Despite his current rivalry with Woken Matt Hardy, the WWE sees little point in pushing Bray Wyatt after failed rivalries with Randy Orton and Finn Balor.
Bray Wyatt may shoot amazing promos, however many of us have been left wanting after underwhelming matches. Don’t get me wrong, I believe Wyatt has more to give, but rumors backstage seem to indicate Bray’s push is over for now.
One of the worst kept yearly secrets is next.
Wrestlemania 35 Will Be In New York (New Jersey)
Wrestlemania 34 was in New Orleans last year. And, the NEXT Wrestlemania (35) will be New Jersey! There were a lot of cities in the running. Detroit, Philly, Minneapolis, and even London were potentially in the running. But WWE decided to go back to another well-known destination. Robbie Fox from Barstool Sports broke the story. I am a bit disappointed.
BREAKING: #WrestleMania 35 will be held back at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey (promoted as New York). Philadelphia and Detroit were the other frontrunners but I’m told NY is a done deal at this point.
— Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) January 31, 2018
Next, WWE tried to buy a top rival, and not the one you think.
WWE tried to buy Ring of Honor in 2017
Rumors have been going around about WWE looking to buy ROH. The news was initially broken by Ryan Satin of the Pro Wrestling Sheet, who stated that WWE officials were negotiating with the Sinclair Broadcasting Group to buy ROH. The rumor was eventually published in the Wrestling Observer, so there is undoubtedly some degree of truth that the negotiations were taking place. Did it go any further than that?
ROH’s Dave Meltzer confirmed that they’re in negotiations with WWE. However, it doesn’t concern purchasing the entire company. Meltzer claimed that WWE is mainly interested in the company’s significant promotional tape library, which features a lot of footage of current WWE superstars like Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan, and others who worked for ROH before making it to the WWE.
Our next secret reveals a top star who no one likes. At least in the WWE locker room.
Sami Zayn Is Dubbed as Annoying
While Finn Balor is considered one of the most popular guys in the locker room, Sami Zayn is deemed to be annoying. His friend Kevin Owens has spoken up about this in the past, saying that his best friend’s perfectionism and his need for control can drive many people backstage mad.
A groundbreaking female wrestler holds our next devastating secret.
Paige is Done Wrestling
Rumors have been rampant about Paige over the last two weeks. It is claimed the young wrestler will be forced to retire from the ring due to a career-ending injury suffered during a match with Sasha Banks.
Even though WWE announced Paige would enter the first women’s Royal Rumble, this announcement came before Paige suffered the injury. Reportedly, WWE and outside doctors have stated that it is unsafe for Paige to wrestle going forward.
Is this “retired” fan favorite returning to the ring? We explore the rumor next.
Daniel Bryan Could Wrestle in WWE Again
Triple H addressed the Smackdown GM’s health and why the ball is in the doctors’ court.
“If the belief is that he’s not healthy enough and it is a risk for [sic] to perform, then I don’t know why we would ever allow him to step in the ring unless it can be proven otherwise.”
That’s in-line with what we already know. But if you want to dig a little more into Trip’s phrasing, then this next bit will probably lead you down an exciting road.
The medical experts will make the determination of whether Bryan can set foot in that ring or not,” Triple H explains. “Personally, for him, I know it’s something he loved doing and I hope he has that opportunity. But at the same point in time, he’s married and has a child. We serve the human being first.”
These next two megastars HATE EACH OTHER.
CM Punk and Triple H Really Hate Each Other
Rumors indicate that Triple H had a serious dislike for CM Punk. If stories are to be believed, the Game had some problems with CM Punk’s persona and his wrestling style. It is also claimed that Triple H tried to sabotage CM Punk’s career. The truth about the situation? We’ll never know.
You know these next two hate each other, but do you know the real reason?
So Did Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels
This list would not be complete without mentioning the personal tensions between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, a rivalry that eventually led to the infamous Montreal Screw Job. It is claimed the two had a natural dislike for each other, but that everything got blown out of proportion since they both attempted to become the top guy within the company. They made up later, but the pair will never be best friends.
Next up: Wait, he is getting a match?
Shane McMahon is getting another massive Wrestlemania match.
According to WrestleVotes, a website known to break some significant WWE stories from time to time, Shane McMahon is set to have a crucial match at WrestleMania.
Rumors have been circulating that WWE creative is focusing on Shane McMahon as one of the lead characters of SmackDown Live, so it is no surprise a big match could be waiting for Shane at WrestleMania. However, there is no word on his possible opponent for WrestleMania 2018.
Next, you won’t believe what is banned in WWE.
Wrestlers can’t say “Wrestling” or refer to the title belt as a “belt”
Vince McMahon is known for being eccentric and particular. Of course, that extends to words that WWE talent can and cannot say. Some of these make sense in the context of wrestling (“locker room” makes it feel more like a sport and less like a show), but some can only be explained by the whims of a crazy billionaire.
Yes, this person is ALMOST got their own WWE show. Next…
[tps_title]WWE Almost Gave R-Truth His Own Game Show[/tps_title]
According to numerous sources, R-Truth was getting his own game show, which was going to be featured on the WWE Network. Unfortunately, due to budget cutbacks, the show will never see the light of your iPad.
You won’t be shocked about this next one. But the details will reveal everything.
[tps_title]JBL Was A Horrible Backstage Bully[/tps_title]
We all know the stories, but there is no actual proof supporting the claims numerous wrestlers and announcers have made.
One of the most recent claims is undoubtedly known by everyone, more specifically when announcer Mauro Ranallo left the company due to allegations of being bullied by JBL. Ranallo would later return as an NXT announcer.
Despite the bullying stories told by wrestlers such as Bubba Ray Dudley, the Miz, Mauro Ranallo, Steve Blackman, Jeff Hardy, and many others, JBL is still very much employed by the WWE. Of course, there is no cold hard evidence, so most of it comes down to hearsay.
Another sad story about a fan favorite. Except this is the biggest fan favorite of all time.
[tps_title]Ric Flair Couldn’t Remember His Daughter’s Name[/tps_title]
Ric’s daughter Charlotte opened up about the ordeal and told this bittersweet story of her father’s first steps of recovery.
Transcript via Prowrestling.net.
When he was first taken off the machine and the doctors wanted to have him walk around, obviously he needed help and support but he didn’t even know who I was, and he was just pushing the walker and quoting numbers of towns from shows in the ’80s. I was like, that’s great he can quote me the numbers from a show in Chicago in the ’80s but he doesn’t know who I am?
Being the Nature Boy is deeply ingrained in him.
So, he is pushing the walker with the nurses and he is pushing and pushing and then he just stops and starts strutting in the ICU. He doesn’t know who I am, isn’t really talking but just does the strut and I was just like this isn’t real.
Up next, one of WWE’s biggest feuds in WWE was based on a real-life hatred.
[tps_title]Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage was based on a real-life feud[/tps_title]
Despite being two of the most prominent stars in their day, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage did not get along. Most of the animosity would appear to have come from Savage though, who believed Hogan was having an affair with his then-wife Miss Elizabeth. Fortunately, the pair did make friends before Savage’s untimely death.
You know what this next star did. What you don’t know is the lasting effect they had on WWE.
[tps_title] Chyna was the “Magic Ingredient” in DX[/tps_title]
DX broke all the rules and defined the Attitude Era. They were raunchy, funny, irreverent, and relevant all at the same time. They were more than the “crotch chops” and slogans. They defined what wrestling would become for an entire generation. They infuriated old school types but brought way more fans to wrestling. They truly were a defining group. But what made them REALLY stand out?
In a tweet, Sean “X-Pac” Waltman revealed who the “magic ingredient” to DX was. We have to agree with him on this. Without this one member, DX wouldn’t be as notable.
https://twitter.com/TheRealXPac/status/895816194862718976
Is Vince out of touch? Let this next rumor be your guide.
[tps_title]Vince Doesn’t Think Finn Balor Can Be A Big Star[/tps_title]
Dave Meltzer reported that Vince has now changed his mind and is pulling the plug on Finn’s push.
Even though Dave Meltzer does not work for the WWE, Meltzer is one of the most respected wrestling journalists in the business. He has some inside connections, so the rumor that Vince has soured on Finn might not be a rumor at all!
Finn has also been suffering from weak bookings, just remember the Bray Wyatt storyline. Even though Finn was the most interesting part of the rivalry, Vince might be ignoring this fact, if the rumor is true.
Unfortunately, if the rumor is true, Finn Balor will be stuck on the mid-card for some time to come. Considering how popular Balor is, I believe this will cause some uproar with his large following. I will be one of them.
Another long-standing secret all-but confirmed in next.
[tps_title]Randy Orton is a backstage bully[/tps_title]
Unfortunately, I am not surprised about Randy Orton’s backstage heat problems. Over the years, fellow wrestlers have claimed he is cocky and arrogant. There are also claims that he refuses to put other talents over and that he bullied Umaga and Carlito.
I do have to say; there is no actual proof that Randy did the things he is accused of. Even though there are many stories, it is easy to spread such stories due to envy or jealousy.
Is this next legend preparing for a comeback?
[tps_title]The Rock Would Only Return To Wrestle Triple H, Lesnar, or Reigns[/tps_title]
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, named not one, but three people he’d like to wrestle: Triple H, Brock Lesnar, and Roman Reigns:
“One would be Triple H, The Game:…the other would be The Beast Brock Lesnar…the other would be a guy that needs my foot in his ass, Roman Reigns.”
Next: This fan-favorite may be on their way out the door.
[tps_title]Bayley’s WWE future Is Uncertain[/tps_title]
One of the WWE Superstars of which it is known that another push is out of the question, for the time being, is Bayley. Still, the end of her promotion is no fault of her own in my opinion, but the fault of the character the WWE wanted her to be.
I do not expect the company to promote Bayley anytime soon, but I do hope she makes a comeback at one point. Once she can break through the horrible persona the creative team put up for her in 2017, Bayley could be one of the major stars on the roster. I just hope the WWE sees it that way too.
Next: The WWE Network is about to get a whole lot bigger.
[tps_title] WWE may put TNA and Indie wrestling on The Network[/tps_title]
Every once in a while, WWE sends out surveys to fans. They cover a variety of topics. WWE will ask fans their opinions on matches, tv shows, and individual wrestlers. Occasionally, they’ll ask users of the WWE Network what they would be interested in watching. What is fascinating about these surveys is not what fans tell WWE; it is what WWE tells us via their questions. Which is why a recent WWE Network survey fired up the internet with rumors that some new and exciting programming was headed their way.
Via BlackClaude on Reddit.
There’s a lot digest here. Let’s take a look at each area and gauge how likely they are actually to happen. The rumors that WWE is interested in TNA’s tape library are a tale as old as time. About every time TNA/Impact/Global Force nears another false finish this rumor crops up. Is it possible? Yes. A lot of WWE and NXT’s marquee talent had careers in TNA. WWE would benefit significantly from having the bulk of Bobby Roode, AJ Styles, and Samoa Joe’s matches.
WWE wants this next star to be bigger. The only thing stopping it is the star’s own attitude.
[tps_title]Baron Corbin’s backstage attitude lost him opportunities[/tps_title]
One of the main people that springs to mind where backstage heat is concerned is Baron Corbin. After rumors of backstage heat, Corbin lost his briefcase cash-in, making wrestling fans speculate even more about the WWE Superstar and why he is being punished with several missed opportunities.
Even though there has been no official statement from the WWE about Baron Corbin’s backstage behavior, many claim the wrestler is being punished at the moment. While there were some rumors regarding a potential injury at the time of the planned cash-in, Corbin has been plagued by some underwhelming bookings and storylines.
Up next, you’ll get to have your say.
Know a rumor or secret that WWE wants to be hidden that we didn’t include on here? Share your thoughts on this slideshow in the comments below.