There were a couple of developments for WWE’s upcoming Greatest Royal Rumble event.
The first being Chris Jericho replacing Rusev in the latter’s casket match against the Undertaker. This came one day after WWE announced Rusev would originally be facing The Undertaker at the event.
According to WWE, Rusev’s wife Lana will not allow him to compete in the match.
All over the world, little boys and girls are celebrating #RusevDay, they smile for the greatest Superstar ever ! I’ve already spoke with @WWE officials to change that match because I REFUSE to let my husband @RusevBUL compete in a Casket Match at #WWEGRR! Happy #RusevDay
— CJ Perry (@TheCJPerry) April 12, 2018
While WWE has provided a storyline reason for the change, there isn’t a backstage story as to why Rusev was taken out of the match. This latest news doesn’t well for Rusev – the Bulgarian Brute would have worked the biggest match of his career with the Dead Man.
Life is life….. it will be #RusevDay somewhere
— Miro (@ToBeMiro) April 12, 2018
It appears Jericho will be pulling double duty as he is still scheduled to return at the Greatest Royal Rumble.
Jericho isn’t the only legend making a return at the Greatest Royal Rumble.
According to a report from PWInsider, former WWE and World Champion Rey Mysterio will return for the match. His last appearance was at the 2018 Royal Rumble where he entered at No. 27 and received an ovation. Since the 2018 Royal Rumble, Mysterio and WWE have been in talks about a potential agreement.
It is unclear whether Mysterio will be in the 50-man Royal Rumble, or if he will compete in a singles match.
The Greatest Royal Rumble takes place Friday, April 27, at 7 p.m. AST. The event will air on the WWE Network at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT, and with a special, one-hour Greatest Royal Rumble Kickoff starting at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT.
WWE isn’t the only company having big names for upcoming events. Ring of Honor announced New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Los Ignorables de Japon will compete on the War of the Worlds Tour.
Below is the news release from ROH:
Los Ingobernables de Japon, one of the hottest stables in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, will appear on all four nights of the fifth annual War of the Worlds Tour this May, ROH officials have announced.
LIJ is led by Tetsuya Naito, one of the most highly regarded and charismatic pro wrestlers in the world. The former IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental champion will be joined on the tour by fellow LIJ members IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions EVIL and SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi, and BUSHI, all of whom have been champions in NJPW.LIJ is led by Tetsuya Naito, one of the most highly regarded and charismatic pro wrestlers in the world. The former IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental champion will be joined on the tour by fellow LIJ members EVIL, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi and BUSHI, all of whom have been champions in NJPW.
LIJ has become one of the most popular stables in NJPW and 2017 was a remarkable year for all of the members involved. The stable was awarded Best Gimmick for 2017 from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards while Naito was named Most Charismatic.
There is no word as to what role LIJ will have on the tour, but it wouldn’t be too surprising if they competed for the ROH Six-man Tag Team titles.
