Just heard this wave *may* be an online exclusive wave - that explains why I haven't EVER seen it at retail. Is this rumor true?? 
You mean Wave 6 (Luminara, Argyus, etc) or Wave 7 (Padme, Matchstick, etc)?
I have seen lots of Wave 6 around here, so nothing fishy about that one. Wave 7 however, is NOWHERE to be found outside of e-tailers online. So if that is the Wave you are talking about, I could almost believe it. I mean, they've been available for WEEKS now on the web, that is a pretty significant lag in showing up at retail.
Even so, I would be shocked and appalled if Hasbro suddenly played the online-only Wave card out of nowhere like that. I don't think even they would pull something so short-sighted and counter-intuitive.