Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring you the biggest rumors and stories in the world of WWE.
In today’s edition, we shall talk about how The Big Dog indirectly helped current Superstar from being fired, update on the WWE future of two former Champions, and Cody Rhodes rejecting the proposal of released WWE Superstar joining AEW.
Tyler Breeze was almost released by the company during developmental before he was needed to be Roman Reigns’ tag-team partner which helped him cement his place in FCW and continue performing as a WWE Superstar for years to come. Let us take a look at the story, among others:
#5 How Roman Reigns was responsible for preventing Superstar from losing his job
In an interesting story, Xavier Woods revealed that Tyler Breeze was about to be cut from FCW before a tag-team stint with Roman Reigns helped him save his job.
Talking on their podcast, Woods, Big E, Kofi Kingston, and guest Tyler Breeze talked about the time when Tyler Breeze and Xavier Woods were a tag-team in FCW but Breeze was paired with Roman Reigns last-minute so that The Big Dog could become Champion.
All of a sudden, I see Breeze walking out and I hear his music. I’m like, ‘Wait, what? We’re a tag team?’ And then I see him walking out with who? Roman Reigns. And then what happens? By the end of that match, there’s a one, two, three, and Breeze and Roman Reigns were the new Tag Team Champions, while Breeze and I were a legitimate tag team.”
Xavier Woods revealed that they had been trying new persons for Breeze because he was on the chopping block, and could have been released. However, luckily for him, a pairing with Roman Reigns helped him win the tag-team Championships.
#4 Brock Lesnar’s future with the company
There has been a lot of speculation on where Brock Lesnar stands in terms of his future with the company. Vince McMahon has stated that one of the reasons for WWE’s tv ratings going done as of late was a result of ‘not having Lesnar anymore’.
“It takes a lot to get these new talent over. We no longer have Brock Lesnar anymore, obviously.”
There have been more rumors that The Beast Incarnate will not be seen on RAW anytime soon and will most likely return after WWE return to stadiums with an audience. As per a new report from PWInsider, it is true that we will not see the former WWE Champion back anytime soon.
On PWINsider Elite audio, it was stated that it would be a wasted effort to use Lesnar in the current environment, and this is another break for the former Universal Champion.
Brock Lesnar was last seen defending his WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania – which he lost. It looks like we will have to wait a long time before the enigmatic Lesnar is back.
#3 Kalisto gives update on his return
Former US Champion Kalisto has been out of action for quite some time. While his faction members Lince Dorado and Grand Metalik have been featured regularly on SmackDown, fans have been wondering what happened to Kalisto.
The young Luchador has revealed that he is still part of the company and has not been released. He further stated that it is due to an injury that he has not been seen on WWE tv as of late.
“I wanted to take this moment because I am seeing a lot of fans tweeting at me, messaging me: ’Where am I?’ ‘Am I still in WWE?’ and the answer is yes.
But unfortunately, I got hurt back on December 31, at the staples centre in LA. So I ended up having ACL separation on my shoulder and some ligaments. Thank god no surgery but it’s a longer recovery.”
Kalisto is a member of the Luch House Party and it will be interesting to see how his return will affect the tag-team division on Friday Night SmackDown. Kalisto is a 2-time US Champion, former NXT Tag-Team Champion and Cruiserweight Champion in WWE.
#4 Gerald Brisco clears the air on his ‘release’
There had been some reports circulating suggesting WWE has released Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco. However, the veteran took to Twitter and cleared the rumors stating that he has not been fired.
On the other hand, Brisco, who worked as a talent scout for the company for a number of years, stated that he has been furloughed and not released by the company. This essentially means that while he still has his position with the company, and retains certain benefits, he will not be paid as a regular employee would be.
Here is what Vince McMahon’s former ‘stooge’ had to say:
What a writer made a mistake, to set things right. I have not been let go yet I’ve been placed on furlough don’t know who leaked the wrong news. I hope get back to helping young folks find there dream. If not it been on heck of a run
The company recently released multiple Superstars recently and a number of backstage staff was also released or furloughed due to the budget cuts owing to COVID-19.
#5 Heath Slater on what his name after WWE will be
Former multi-time Tag Team Champion Heath Slater was one of the unfortunate Superstars to have been released by the company recently. The One-Man-Band joined Lillian Garcia on her podcast and discussed what the future may hold for him.
Slater projected positivity and he also said that he looks forward to the exciting opportunities ahead of him. Here is what he had to say on his possible ring name after WWE:
“Heath is my real name. There’s some trickery that we can do, but then again, I don’t know, I might just want to go by just Heath… Pyro’s coming off, I’m walking down, slapping hands. I can see it.”
Heath Slater also praised companies like AEW, Impact, ROH and NWA for their work. Unfortunately, however, in a recent Q&A session, Cody Rhodes rejected the idea of AEW signing AEW:
Nope! No on Heath Slater
With AEW’s door shut for him, it will be interesting to see where Heath will go once his 90-day time period of no-compete clause is over.
