WWE Rumor Review: Backstage heat on John Cena, Brock Lesnar's return, Plans for released star

Welcome to this week's edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's WWE Rumor Review. Here, we will take a look at rumors regarding WWE from a few months ago and see how they played out.

This time around, we will review some plans from May 2021 for the return of fans in the summer, including the location for SummerSlam. This also features a slight issue the company may have had with John Cena before his big return.

WWE had ideas in mind for Aleister Black, who is now in AEW. We also recall the original reports about when Brock Lesnar would come back following his hiatus. So, without further ado, let's put on our hindsight glasses. Here are some of the top rumors from May and how well they did.

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#5 WWE had plans for Aleister Black and the RAW roster

Aleister Black was absent from WWE television for seven months before returning in a series of backstage vignettes. He finally appeared on the May 21st episode of SmackDown, costing Big E the Intercontinental Championship and starting a feud with him.

A week earlier, WrestleVotes had reported that Black was discussed to be moved over to RAW. The red brand needed fresh stars in the main event scene, with Randy Orton, Riddle, and AJ Styles in the tag team division. Damian Priest was also slated for a big opportunity on RAW.

Less than three weeks later, WWE released Black. Meanwhile, Priest did receive a push towards the United States Championship. He has been strongly booked since winning the title at SummerSlam. As for RAW's main event scene, WWE eventually moved Big E over from SmackDown.

The New Day member won the Money in the Bank contract and cashed in on Bobby Lashley in September to become WWE Champion. So, this rumor was partially true. RAW eventually got a fresh main eventer before the WWE Draft, and Damian Priest was pushed, but Aleister Black is completely out of the picture.

#4 Multiple WWE main roster call-ups

In preparation for the permanent return of fans, WWE intended to freshen up the RAW and SmackDown rosters. Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that higher-ups were planning for multiple call-ups from both NXT and NXT UK over the months leading to the return to the road.

This came after Rick Boogs debuted on SmackDown as Shinsuke Nakamura's guitarist. WWE would eventually call up several other stars from NXT in June and July, confirming the reports to be true.

Doudrop arrived on RAW from NXT UK, while Shotzi and Tegan Nox got called up as a tag team a few weeks later. Finn Balor returned to the main roster on the first show back with fans, and then-NXT Champion Karrion Kross followed him. Toni Storm also debuted on SmackDown shortly afterward.

The company called up a few other names during the WWE Draft, adding further new faces to RAW and SmackDown. However, some of these call-ups have already been released, including Kross, Nox, and the entirety of Hit Row.

#3 Location plans for WWE SummerSlam

One of the biggest talking points surrounding WWE's return to touring was the location status of SummerSlam. The August pay-per-view was being treated as the biggest show of the year, as its buildup coincided with crowds coming back.

Sean Ross Sapp reported on WWE's discussions about several cities and locations to host The Biggest Party of the Summer, with one of them leading the race. That city was Las Vegas. SummerSlam indeed took place in Sin City.

While there was a potential issue with the roof at the Allegiant Stadium not opening, SummerSlam went on without any fuss. In fact, WWE is returning to the stadium once again for Money in the Bank 2022, which indicates a good experience for the company at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.

SummerSlam was a solid show, which featured some great matches like Seth Rollins vs. Edge and John Cena vs. Roman Reigns. Major stars made their WWE returns at the event, as Becky Lynch immediately won the SmackDown Women's Championship and Brock Lesnar confronted The Tribal Chief.

#2 Backstage heat on John Cena ahead of his WWE return

WWE legend John Cena was in the news for multiple reasons in May. He was heavily rumored to come back upon the company's return to touring to face Roman Reigns at SummerSlam but was also under fire for his comments about Taiwan.

The 16-time world champion apologized to his fans in China for referring to Taiwan as its own country during the promotion for his movie, Fast & Furious 9. Andrew Zarian of The Mat Men Podcast reported that Cena's apology did not go over well within WWE, which may have led to concerns over his impending comeback.

However, even if there was any heat on John Cena following his comments, it wasn't nearly enough to affect his latest WWE run. The Hollywood star returned at Money in the Bank in front of a passionate crowd, leading to one of the biggest pops of all time.

WWE dubbed the following month "The Summer of Cena," as he wrestled at several live events in the build to SummerSlam. Cena challenged Reigns at the event as was planned, with the match being a rousing success.

#1 Previous report on Brock Lesnar's WWE return date

Whether or not he is around, Brock Lesnar is usually a prominent subject of discussion among WWE fans. This was the case as the return of live crowds rapidly approached, and the company looked to bring back many big stars. John Cena was the most common name in the rumor mill, with others also being mentioned.

The Beast Incarnate was a free agent at the time. Dave Meltzer spoke about his possible return on Wrestling Observer Radio, citing WrestleMania 38 as a likely time for him to come back to WWE. Meltzer also ruled out the prospect of Lesnar showing up in AEW.

"I have not heard. I would think he would come back for WrestleMania. Umm, but he is not under contract, but I have not heard like he is not going to AEW. I mean, he is just not," said Meltzer.

Of course, the talk of him returning at WrestleMania ended up being false. Brock Lesnar instead showed up at SummerSlam, much to the surprise of everybody watching. He sported a new look, which he is still committing to.

Lesnar is doing some of the best work of his WWE career as a babyface. He and Roman Reigns have been embroiled in a storied rivalry over the Universal Championship, with the two set to lock horns at the Day 1 pay-per-view.