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Tonight, Fightful Select reported that their WWE sources have informed them that a former WWE Champion is in negotiations to appear on next Monday night's “Day 1” special episode of “Raw.” The report said the wrestler's identity was not known, but the two sides were in close negotiations.
After “SmackDown,” WWE’s chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque went to X, formerly known as Twitterto comment on the reports. “The Game” didn’t confirm the rumors, but he didn’t deny them either. Instead, the 14-time former heavyweight world champion said: “Stay tuned.”
I won't confirm or deny an ex's rumors @WWE Champion appears at #WWERaw Day one… but I say hang in there.
New Year's Day, 8:00 p.m. ET @USANetwork
— Triple H (@TripleH) December 30, 2023
The New Year's special episode of “Raw” was already expected to be a memorable episode of the series, which celebrates its 31st anniversary later this month. In the main event, Drew McIntyre is expected to face reigning champion Seth Rollins in a World Heavyweight Championship bout. Earlier this year at WWE's premier live event “Crown Jewel,” Rollins successfully defended the title against McIntyre in a grueling bout that left the challenger wanting another chance.
The “Day 1” episode of “WWE Raw” is the first show of what WWE is promoting as “New Year's Knockout Week.” On Tuesday, the company will air a special edition of “NXT” they're calling “New Year's Evil.” “Best of the Bump 2023” airs on Wednesday. A few Peacock specials debut Thursday night, including a show that appears to preview the coming year. On Friday night, “SmackDown” closes out the week with a special episode titled “New Year's Revolution.”