Legends To Appear At WWE Money In The Bank 2017?
Plus: debuts for new signees?
There are reports emanating from St. Louis, MO - the location of this evening's Money in the Bank PPV - that a miniature wrestling Hall of Fame of sorts has been spotted in the city, suggesting a proposed 'Legends' segment on tonight's show is set to go ahead. Among the luminaries seen out-and-about in the 'Gateway to the West' are regular cameo-makers Ric Flair and Sgt. Slaughter, as well as Larry Hennig, Greg Gagne, and Baron Von Raschke.
All five of these men enjoyed runs in Verne Gagne's AWA with varying degrees of success, but the logic behind a reunion of the Minnesota-based AWA in Missouri is unclear. It's worth noting reports that WWE were also keen on having Bob Orton Jr., Ted DiBiase, Rocky Johnson, and Gerald Brisco involved in the segment, which would have made a lot more sense. DiBiase and Johnson, along with Von Raschke, are all members of the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame - Brisco's brother Jack is too, but not Gerald himself. Orton and Flair were also key players in Sam Muchnick's St. Louis based Wrestling at the Chase; was a St. Louis Wrestling Club revival on the cards at MITB?
Almost twenty years ago, WWE hosted a St. Louis Wrestling Club 'Legends Ceremony' at Bad Blood '97, the show being broadcast from the city. Amongst those honoured were Harley Race, Dory Funk, Jr., Gene Kiniski, Terry Funk, Jack Brisco, Lou Thesz, and Sam Muchnick himself. The company have returned to St. Louis eight times since The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels contested their legendary Hell in the Cell contest, so why tonight of all nights have been chosen for another (possibly inaccurate) celebration of local legends makes one wonder.
As well as the stars of the past, some younger talents have also been sighted in the city. Maria-Kanellis Bennett and husband Mike Bennett are reporting for duty ahead of their debuts, expected on the SmackDown brand within the next week. Their presence in St. Louis could indicate an even sooner first day of work - possibly tonight?