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We're back with another edition of WWE News and Rumor Roundup. Following the recent wave of talent releases, a new report indicates that the company could make more cuts soon.
Meanwhile, what did Drew McIntyre have to say about another showdown against Roman Reigns? A former United States Champion has admitted that he actively pushed not to lose against John Cena back in 2013.
We'll also take a look at the potential reason behind Eva Marie's release, as well as The Rock's reaction to rumors about a long-awaited dream match.
Without further ado, let's jump right into the recent news and rumors that made headlines:
#5. 10 additional names considered to be "on the bubble" by WWE
Since the departure of 18 WWE talents on November 4, Dave Meltzer has highlighted that there were around 10 more names that higher-ups wanted to release but ultimately didn't.
There is a possibility that such talents might get cut from the roster soon, but as of right now, the company considers them to be "on the bubble." Meltzer stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that a few WWE NXT veterans could be on this list as a result of the brand's extensive focus on younger stars moving forward.
“Of all the people that were cut, there were probably about 10 others that were in strong discussion about being cut. Pretty much everyone that was not being used well was on the bubble and they were considering cutting. I’m gonna guess when I saw the list of the people that were originally looking at being cut but were not, that a lot of those people I can see them being cut. Essentially everyone at NXT that’s a veteran that you don’t see on TV. All of those guys. Again, they are trying to get younger," said Meltzer.
He named two WWE stars, Danny Burch and Timothy Thatcher, who are reportedly "on the bubble" right now. However, Meltzer noted that "legacy stars" like Tommaso Ciampa might be safe from getting released in the current scenario of NXT.
"The idea is to get young guys in there…Ciampa and a few others might be safe just because they’re kind of legacy stars and you still want them on television just to kind of ease the transition. Although eventually with the direction they’re going, Ciampa doesn’t fit. They may keep him but a lot of the other ones like Danny Burch or [Timothy] Thatcher, those kind of guys. I’m not saying going to be cut but they are on the bubble. Their names were definitely considered also. Everyone in their 30s that’s not on TV right now was in a discussion of who [to] let go,” added Meltzer.
As per other reports, WWE could be planning to evaluate NXT talents every six months, and if performers aren't improving within that timeframe, it might lead to more releases.
#4. Reason why Drew McIntyre doesn't want to face Roman Reigns right now
Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns' previous televised clash went down at WWE Survivor Series 2020, from which the latter emerged victoriously. Now that the two are on SmackDown following this year's draft, fans are eager to see them fight again.
McIntyre recently told Sky Sports that despite knowing their rematch will likely happen, he wants to continue building momentum in WWE right now and face Reigns when the time is right.
"Everyone keeps saying to me, ‘It’s Drew and Roman, that’s obviously what’s going to happen.' I’m sure it’s inevitably going to happen, but I don’t want it to happen right now. He’s got all this momentum and I’m a very patient man. I’ve been in the wrestling game for over 20 years now. I want to keep building up victories, I want to keep building up momentum, I want him to have to watch and go, ‘Alright, I know what this guy can do,’" said McIntyre.
#3. Jon Moxley on being opposed to losing against John Cena in WWE
Jon Moxley (fka Dean Ambrose), Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns defeated John Cena's team at WWE Elimination Chamber 2013. However, in the current AEW star's new book, MOX, he highlighted that the company originally booked The Shield to lose that match.
Moxley personally thought that coming up short against Cena's team would have negatively affected his faction's momentum in WWE, so he, Reigns, and Rollins eventually convinced Vince McMahon to change the outcome.
“If [we] went out there with Cena and took the f***in’ schmootz and got pinned like everybody else, we would then become everybody else. It would kill us. I remember...being in the car with an uneasy feeling in my stomach. ‘I ain’t f***ing doing it,’ I said. ‘Whether they fire us or we get Cena’d and killed off...we’re dead either way,'" wrote Moxley.
The former WWE United States Champion also wrote that The Shield often refused writers' pitches to have them lose early on, which, at times, created awkward situations. Moxley added that he, Rollins, and Reigns knew they needed to stand their ground in such cases to keep the group's momentum intact.
#2. Why did WWE release Eva Marie?
Eva Marie was reportedly written off WWE television before her release as she chose to work on a movie project for a while.
Dave Meltzer recently highlighted on Wrestling Observer Radio how Marie couldn't connect with fans throughout her latest stint in the company. He also brought up the possibility that WWE held the former Total Divas star's latest acting hiatus against her.
“She left to do some acting work right after she [returned] she wasn’t getting over. She’s not young, you know. Great look, of course, great look and all that, great body; but she left. So, I think that probably was held against her. It was an idea, but she wasn’t that good of a wrestler at all. It wasn’t going to work. They gave her a chance,” said Meltzer.
Eva Marie has built a name for herself in fitness modeling outside of professional wrestling. Additionally, she will pursue her acting career without having to fulfill any WWE obligations moving forward.
#1. The Rock reacts to rumors about him facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania
Reports of Roman Reigns vs. The Rock possibly happening at WrestleMania have created a lot of excitement among the WWE Universe lately.
The Hollywood megastar was recently asked to address these rumors while speaking with Andrew Freund. According to The Rock, "there is no truth" to that dream match possibility turning into a realistic outcome for now. However, he acknowledged the potential to build towards a clash against Reigns at some point down the line.
"I can tell you, there is no truth to that right now. Possibly down the road, we will see. We stay very close, myself and Roman Reigns, and I'm very happy and very proud with the work he is doing as well as The Usos, my other family members. Those guys will continue to do what they're doing and we'll see down the road," said The Rock.
WrestleMania 39 in 2023 - advertised as 'WrestleMania Hollywood' - could be the perfect stage for the WWE legend to take on Roman Reigns. It's safe to say that whenever The Rock's busy schedule allows him to embark on a storyline with Reigns, it will undoubtedly draw a lot of mainstream attention to the current product.
Did any news or rumors from today's roundup catch your attention? Be sure to sound off in the comments section below!
