Rumor Roundup (Dec. 18, 2025): Royal Rumble start time & card, NXT’s botched title change, more! (2026)

Unveiling the Rumor Mill: December 18, 2025 Edition

The wrestling world is a whirlwind of speculation, and we're here to navigate the latest buzz surrounding the sport. Get ready for a deep dive into the rumors that are making waves in the pro wrestling community!

Royal Rumble's Time and Card Unveiled?

According to reliable sources, the highly anticipated Royal Rumble event is set to take place next month, with a 2 p.m. Eastern start time. That's a 10 p.m. start in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in the event's timing. But here's the twist: the card is shaping up to be a four-match extravaganza, featuring two championship matches alongside the iconic Rumble matches. However, there's a catch! Dave Meltzer reveals that these title matches are still in the works, with decisions yet to be finalized, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the final lineup.

NXT's Title Change: A Blunder or a Blip?

In a surprising turn of events, NXT witnessed an unplanned title change on Tuesday night. According to PW Insider, Thea Hail's victory over Blake Monroe was a result of a misstep. Hail knocked Monroe off balance, causing him to lose his wind and fail to recover in time for a pin attempt. This blunder highlights the pressure on NXT officials to ensure fair and smooth transitions during live events.

Pre-Taped Chaos: Correcting the Course

Fightful Select sheds light on the aftermath of the botched title change. They reveal that NXT had already pre-taped material with Monroe as the North American champion, set to air through the end of the year. Hail's win triggered a scramble to edit and reshoot footage, ensuring a coherent narrative. An anonymous source from NXT hinted at new policies, suggesting that all talent involved in pre-taped segments must also participate in live shows, adding an extra layer of complexity to their production process.

Rematch Rumblings: A New Year's Evil?

Fightful Select also hints at a potential rematch between Hail and Monroe, rumored to take place at New Year's Evil. However, this is still a work in progress, leaving fans speculating about the future of the NXT title.

TNA's Talent Acquisition: A Three-Month Deal

In unrelated news, Bryan Alvarez reports on Wrestling Observer Live that TNA has recently signed Jake Something, Zachary Wentz, Steve Maclin, and AJ Francis to three-month deals. This move adds to the growing talent pool in the TNA roster, leaving fans curious about the potential impact on the wrestling landscape.

Rumor Corner: Share Your Insights!

As always, we encourage our readers to engage in the discussion. If you've come across any intriguing rumors, feel free to share them in the comments section. Remember, these are just rumors, and we'll be keeping an eye on their accuracy in our weekly Rumor Look Back feature. Stay tuned, and keep the speculation alive!

Rumor Roundup (Dec. 18, 2025): Royal Rumble start time & card, NXT’s botched title change, more! (2026)

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