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Welcome to today's edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup, where we try and bring you the best news and rumours of the day. There are some exciting updates on the members of the RETRIBUTION and also a rumour on All Elite Wrestling making a huge offer for a former WWE Champion.
Adding to that, we also have Bobby Lashley talking about some Superstars badmouthing him to Vince McMahon. All that and more in today's roundup:
Former WWE Champion rejects huge AEW offer
Rey Mysterio rejected a huge offer from All Elite Wrestling before putting pen to a new WWE contract. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that AEW were keen signing the former WWE Champion, but he did not take the offer. He said on the latest edition of WOR:
“They did sign Rey and Rey could have gone to AEW and they know that know Rey got a huge offer to go to AEW [and he] stayed”
“That’s a feather in the cap too. I don’t want to say they owe him because they don’t owe anyone anything but Rey had no contract. Rey could have walked in AEW in the middle of this program. He wasn’t gonna do it because he’s Rey and he told them he wouldn’t and no matter what he wouldn’t.”
“But the point is that legally he could have. I know that loyalty to Vince is a one-way street – you have to be loyal to him and he doesn’t have to be loyal to you but there is something to that right now but he’ll probably forget it at some point too, down the line. Usually, it’s sooner than later.” (h/t WrestlingNews.co)
Rey Mysterio is not the only WWE Superstar to reject an offer from All Elite Wrestling. Edge had a deal on the table as well, but Mr. McMahon did not want his return to be in another promotion and signed him up. The Rated R Superstar made his return to the ring at Royal Rumble this year and has reportedly penned a three-year deal with the company.
8 members of WWE's RETRIBUTION revealed?
RETRIBUTION were back on Monday Night RAW this week, and fans have managed to identify some of the stars. WrestlingNews report that Mia Yim and Dominik Dijakovic were two of the members of the group that were quickly picked up by the WWE Universe.
The two NXT stars have been touted to make their move to Monday Night RAW for some time, but they were never brought to the limelight. Now, it is believed that they are a part of RETRIBUTION and will be revealed to the WWE Universe soon.
Apart from Dijakovic and Yim, Dave Meltzer reports on Wrestling Observer Radio that Mojo Rawley will also be a part of the group. The seven-time WWE 24/7 champion has not been on WWE TV for some time, and it now rumoured that he too has joined forces with the new group.
Mercedes Martinez, Kayden Carter, Chelsea Green, Shane Thorne and Dio Maddin are some of the other names mentioned as a part of the new group. Apart from those, rumours suggest that multiple stars from EVOLVE are also going to be a part of the RETRIBUTION.
WWE Superstars badmouthing Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley has revealed that some WWE Superstars have badmouthed him to Vince McMahon. He claims that they went behind his back to the WWE Chairman and got themselves put over in matches against him.
The WWE United States Champion was talking to Sports Illustrated when he spoke about the difficulties he has faced in his career with the company. He said:
“I’m not a guy that is going to politic or badmouth someone in this company. I don’t do it. Ever. I’ve had people I was wrestling go to Vince and say, ‘I think it would be a good idea if I beat Bobby.’ And it was completely ignorant for someone to ever say that if you saw the two of us. I’ve always done what the company thought was best, but I’ve also always known what I was capable of doing. I know that I’m valuable and I know what I can accomplish.”
Bobby Lashley is still chasing his first WWE Championship, but his main aim since returning to the company has been facing Brock Lesnar.
Backstage reaction to Renee Young leaving WWE
Renee Young stunned the WWE Universe last month when she revealed that he was leaving the company. She had been working with WWE for over seven years and was loved by the fans as a commentator and an announcer.
Renee was talking on the Sports Media podcast when she revealed the backstage reaction to his exit. She claims that everyone understood she was being used in a limited quantity, and it was best for her to experiment elsewhere. She said:
“I had been talking to Cole about everything and how I was feeling. He was taking those conversations up and talking to Vince, Hunter, and Kevin Dunn to let them know. Keep in mind, too, that I was not under a contract. I was just a WWE employee, so all I had to do was put my two-week notice in. It felt very bizarre, but I texted with Hunter and Steph. I went and said goodbye to Vince and everyone on my last day, but everyone just kind of knew where I was at. They understood that with my skillset, there's just not much for me to do right now.”
Renee also revealed that she was not under contract, and as she was a WWE employee, she just had to give two week's notice.
WWE issue update on Ivar's injury status
Ivar got injured during the 8-man tag-team match on Monday Night RAW this week and WWE revealed that he was sent to a local hospital to get things checked.
It was later announced that Ivar suffered a cervical injury when he dived during the match. WWE's official statement read:
During the Eight-Man Tag Team Match on Monday Night Raw, Ivar suffered a cervical injury on a Viking Dive to the floor. As a precaution, Ivar was transported to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Ivar then tweeted out a 'thank you' message to the WWE Universe for sending him all the support via social media. He tweeted:
"From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU to every single friend, family and fan who has reached out to me. My heart is truly touched from all the love and support. Still figuring it all out but I am working hard to recover and be better than ever! Love you all"
The Viking Raiders were slowly getting the push to the top and that is now inevitably halted due to Ivar's injury.
