Body Slam Brigade # 64 – Guess Who’s Coming Back!

July 23, 2021

* * *

We’re talking returns and rumored returns this week!

To kick us off, here’s a 2009 quote from John Cena. For more on John Cena, see number 3.

“I’ve often said: A man’s character is not judged after he celebrates a victory, but by what he does when his back is against the wall. So no matter how great the setback, how severe the failure—You never give up. You never give up, you pick yourself up, you brush yourself off, you push forward, you move on, you adapt, you overcome—THAT IS WHAT I BELIEVE!” – John Cena

Hope you enjoy!

* * *

1. Daniel Bryan Potentially Going to AEW!
Cassidy Haynes reported “a source I have spoken to has told me that he [Daniel Bryan] is “locked in” and has 100% already signed a contract with AEW.”

Nobody else has been able to confirm what Haynes’ source has told him, but it’s well known that Bryan wants to work New Japan – and AEW has a relationship with New Japan. That makes AEW the front runner as far as US based companies are concerned.

Haynes also reported that Bryan would make his AEW debut in New York City at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

PW Insider reported a week or so ago that Daniel Bryan wasn’t being factored into WWE merchandise and video game decisions.

I would love to see Daniel Bryan wrestle again, but this news story doesn’t seem to be air tight. I think we have to wait and see!

John D’Aconti and I spoke about this in greater detail along with the CM Punk rumors on episode 132 of the Daily Wrestling News Show. Check it out.

* * *

2. CM Punk to AEW? 
It’s so crazy that both Daniel Bryan and CM Punk both had their names come up in association with AEW in the same 24 hour period.

The report on CM Punk came from Fightful Select, and their report was a lot less definitive than the Daniel Bryan report.

They wrote, “Fightful Select learned last week that CM Punk has been in talks to make a return to pro wrestling as an in-ring performer, with sources indicating that AEW is the most likely landing point . . . Fightful has not officially confirmed this report with CM Punk himself or All Elite Wrestling officials. We have been told in recent days that higher ups in WWE believe that Punk is headed to AEW.”

We’ve been fooled into believing that CM Punk will make a wrestling return in the past. The wise thing here is to wait this out as nobody has any confirmation.

In the meantime, here’s a link to the Monday Night Raw episode where CM Punk delivered his famous Pipebomb promo (at the end of the episode). The Pipebomb is available on Peacock, but frankly you can hear many of Punk’s criticisms on just about every wrestling podcast out there.

* * *

3. John Cena is Back
While we speculate about Daniel Bryan and CM Punk, the one guy we know has returned to wrestling is John Cena.

John Cena made an appearance at the conclusion of the Money in the Bank PPV and at the beginning of Monday Night Raw. WWE announced the Summer of Cena as John will be making the rounds for both television and house shows at least through SummerSlam.

What’s most surprising to me about John Cena’s return is the overwhelmingly warm reception he’s received from the WWE Universe. Not a lot of “John Cena Sucks” chants were heard at Money in the Bank or Monday Night Raw.

One thing we learned from John Cena on Monday is that he’s still a great promo. Coincidently one of the most inspirational promos of his career came after defeating CM Punk in 2009. It’s at the 48:39 mark on this episode of Monday Night Raw.

* * *

4. Nick F’N Gage on AEW
Nick Gage – the current Game Changer Wrestling Champion – will wrestle on AEW Dynamite next week. He’ll be facing Chris Jericho.

If you’re unfamiliar with Nick Gage (and a lot of people are unfamiliar with him), he’s an almost larger than life figure at this point. He works the style of match that requires you to look away.

MJF said he robbed a bank in broad day light, and it’s true. Not only is it a wonder that someone like Nick Gage wrestles, it’s a miracle he’s still alive (he’ll be the first to tell you as much).

Gage has a strong following, and I’m very interested to see how they react to him wrestling on a nationally broadcasted television show. Will they chant, “You sold out” or be happy for him.

From a business point of view, it makes sense for AEW to introduce Gage to the audience. There have been multiple occasions where Jon Moxley has attacked Gage at GCW shows. Could it be that Khan is working with Gage to have a GCW championship match on an AEW broadcast. There’s certainly precedent with Moxley defending the New Japan U.S. Championship.

If you want to understand the story behind this man, check out the Dark Side of the Ring episode titled “The Ultra-Violence of Nick Gage.” You can sign in with your cable provider information at this link.

* * *

5. Goldberg 
OK. I Love Bill Goldberg, but (and this is a big BUT) I don’t love Bill Goldberg working on top.

I want to see Bill Goldberg come out, work a 3 minute match, destroy an annoying heel (Baron Corbin, The Miz, etc), and then I want him to leave.

It gives me the chance to have the Goldberg experience the way I remember it from the 90’s.

Just let Goldberg be Goldberg.

As it stands, it looks like Bill Goldberg will be facing Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam. He’ll probably have to work a 10 minute match, and I would guess that he won’t be leaving with a win.

At best, we’ll see Goldberg play the hits (spear and jackhammer), before Bobby kicks out and destroys him.

I prefer to remember Goldberg like this instead of like this.

* * *

In closing, there are definitely more returns on the way. Becky Lynch is the big name that is return is most likely imminent. With any luck, maybe we’ll be talking about The Rock by the end of 2021.

Have A Great Weekend!

Ryan

PS – If you enjoyed this newsletter, I would love for you to tell others about it.

They can subscribe here.

Thanks!

PSS – If you didn’t know, I have a daily podcast to help you keep up on wrestling news! Here’s my pitch.