How To Draw Nikki Bella

WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Goldberg and Nikki Bella

November 22, 2016

Credit: WWE.com

Anytime WWE presents a pay-per-view as significant as Survivor Series, there are destined to be rumors swirling around top stars.

That is the case this week as the face of the extravaganza caused speculation regarding his status with Vince McMahon's company. While some of that speculation was cleared up on Monday's Raw, there was still news to be found in regard to the iconic competitor.

Another of the names drawing buzz is a reality television starlet whose scheduled appearance at the Nov. 20 pay-per-view did not quite go as planned.

Those two stars, whose statuses were discussed on Dave Meltzer'sWrestling Observer Radio, anchor this week's coverage of WWE rumors and news.

Goldberg's WWE Status

After demolishing Brock Lesnar in 86 seconds, Goldberg was at the center of WWE rumors and speculation.

According to Meltzer (h/t Wrestling Inc for the transcription), "Bill Goldberg got a 'real big-money deal' for this past Sunday's Survivor Series match against Brock Lesnar." He continued: "Goldberg is willing to wrestle for that amount as often as Vince McMahon wants him to, so it's up to Vince on how many times he wants to use him."

That is quite a revelation, especially since it was Goldberg himself who suggested that Lesnar would be his final opponent when he said, "you're next and you're last" during his first Raw appearance in 12 years.

Meltzer would go on to suggest that Goldberg-Lesnar III could take place at WrestleMania in Orlando, Florida. While that is a match deserving of the biggest stage in professional wrestling, it is one WWE Creative will have to carefully craft. After all, Lesnar has lost both matches to the WCW icon—one in humiliating and decisive fashion.

At the least, Goldberg's agreement with the company gives WWE a star it can lean heavily on to help promote some of its biggest, most important events at a time when star power is limited, to say the least.

Monday night on Raw, Goldberg announced his entry into the 2017 Royal Rumble match, laying the foundation for future programs and matches under the WWE umbrella.

Is Nikki Bella Injured?

When Nikki Bella was attacked backstage prior to the 5-on-5 Elimination match at Survivor Series, some speculated that injury had taken her out of the contest.

As Meltzer reported (h/t Wrestling Inc), that could not be further from the truth:"The angle with Natalya and Nikki Bella was the plan from the start and Nikki is not injured. The angle had been planned ever since officials designed the match several weeks back."

Meltzer would go on to merely speculate that the angle was shot to instigate a feud between Bella and Natalya.

That would not be a bad idea whatsoever. The two have never had anything resembling a sustained, drawn-out rivalry before. Natalya would immediately gain a higher profile on Tuesday nights from working with Bella, too. Factor in the amount Bella could gain from working with and learning from someone as experienced at the in-ring game as Natalya, and the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Considering SmackDown women's champion Becky Lynch still has her hands full with Alexa Bliss, this is exactly the type of program Bella needs to stay busy until she sets her sights on the gold.