Getting a grip: WrestleMania 34 nears, Shane McMahon and AJ Styles health updates

Brian Fritz

•
Getting a grip: WrestleMania 34 nears, Shane McMahon and AJ Styles health updates image

Each week, Sporting News runs down the biggest stories in the world of professional wrestling.

WrestleMania updates

Daniel Bryan is officially booked for WrestleMania 34.

Bryan will return to the ring on the big stage, announcing on “SmackDown Live” that he will team with Shane McMahon against Kevin Owens and Sami. There is an added stipulation: if Bryan and McMahon win, Owens and Zayn are fired from the brand.

MORE: Ronda Rousey has awkward exchange on ESPN Radio

One question — will McMahon be good to go?

WWE reported that McMahon developed a massive infection due to diverticulitis and is also suffering from a umbilical hernia. While this is the wrestling business, all signs point to this being a legit injury. 

It seems unfathomable that McMahon, much less anyone, could have a match while dealing with the hernia. If he cannot go, that could lead to Bryan either needing a partner or a change to the match itself.

Some better news is that AJ Styles will be ready to face Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania.

The current WWE Champion injured his knee at a recent house show. The severity is still not known but after a week off, he was back in the ring working tag matches and has declared himself ready for the match.

WWE did tweak the ‘Mania lineup by adding Rusev to the United States Championship match, making it a Fatal 4 Way along with Randy Orton, Bobby Roode and Jinder Mahal.

The Undertaker is expected to be at “RAW” on Monday to officially accept the challenge from John Cena at WrestleMania. That leaves the question of who will by Braun Strowman’s mystery partner against Sheamus and Cesaro.

According to SI.com, one choice could be Rey Mysterio, who could sign a short-term deal with the company that could lead to something more in the future. My guess is  James Ellsworth, who has a history with Strowman and would also earn a great reaction before taking the pin.

Over at NXT, it was announced that former tag team partners Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano will square off in an unsanctioned match at TakeOver, the night before WrestleMania. If Gargano wins, he will get his job back but he will be out of NXT forever if he loses.

Hulk Hogan potential return

The “Hulkster” has been banished from the WWE since 2015 after a tape surfaced of him using racial slurs. Hogan has apologized over the incident on multiple occasions since then and many believe when — not if — he would make a return to the company.

PWInsider.com reported that there have been talks recently between WWE and Hogan regarding a comeback. WWE issued a statement regarding the situation: “We have had discussions with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan) about how he can help others learn from his mistakes, however, he is not under any contract with WWE.”

Mark Henry — who will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2018 — recently said on Busted Open Radio believes that Hogan needs to put in more community work before he should be allowed back.

Hogan has admitted that he will not be making an appearance at WrestleMania 34.

Huge event in Saudi Arabia

While all eyes are on New Orleans, it won’t be the only huge event in April for the WWE.

The company will have a loaded lineup for its Greatest Royal Rumble event on April 27 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Not only with the show feature the first-ever 50-man battle royal match but also Triple H and John Cena will go head-to-head for the first time since 2010. Add to that Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins vs. The Miz vs. Samoa Joe in a ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship along with Sheamus and Cesaro against The Hardys.

News and notes

— Special congrats to The Miz and Maryse who are officially parents.

— Last Sunday’s NJPW Strong Style Evolved event was capped off by an incredible main event with the Golden Lovers defeating the Young Bucks that was dripping with emotion. Afterwards, Cody Rhodes lashed out in frustration on the Bucks by pushing Nick Jackson. He apologized the following day in the latest chapter being told in the ongoing relationship among Bullet Club members.

New Japan will be returning to the U.S. on July 7 with a show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. That will be another big step up as the building can hold more than 10,000 fans and could be the time and opportunity for a fourth match between Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega.

— Rey Mysterio could not be a part of that show due to his bicep injury but he stated that will be in a New Japan ring soon. That could be against Jyushin “Thunder” Liger, Marty Scurll or Will Ospreay with matches already set up with each of them.

— Paul Heyman could be coming to a TV to you outside of WWE. Heyman and Mitchell Stuart’s Looking 4 Larry agency is partnering with Roy Bank’s Banca Studio to produce unscripted content.  The first project, which Heyman will both star and executive produce, “will straddle the line between talk, opinion, comedy and pop culture — all with the one-of-a-kind Paul Heyman brand and energy as the driving force.” The plan is to pitch the program to both traditional and digital networks following WrestleMania.

— Major League Wrestling announced it has inked a television deal with the beIN Sports. The weekly program will be part of beIn Sports “Friday Night Fury” lineup airing Friday nights at 8 p.m. ET with a replay at 11 p.m. ET beginning on April 20.

—  Best of luck to Vader who is recovering from open heart surgery. The 62-year-old has been dealing with heart issues for the past few years and revealed last week that his heart rate had slowed into the thirties.

Brian Fritz can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrianFritz and listen to his Between The Ropes podcast on Blog Talk Radio.

Brian Fritz

Brian Fritz Photo

Brian Fritz is a contributor with The Sporting News covering the NBA and NFL who previously worked at BasketballNews. He is a 20-year veteran of sports talk radio in Orlando, Florida, after graduating from the University of Central Florida. He now resides in Durham, North Carolina.