'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We welcome you back to Sportskeeda Wrestling's daily WWE Rumor Roundup. The company has begun the build-up towards Money in the Bank, but its primary focus is on SummerSlam.
As reported, WWE could be lining up a massive match for Roman Reigns as an old rival of the Tribal Chief could confront him in the summer.
A two-time United States champion confirmed that he is working towards an in-ring return, and his ardent fans will be thrilled by the latest update.
Questions were raised regarding Kevin Owens' status as the superstar was said to have asked for some time off. We also received a possible spoiler regarding an exciting new WWE signing.
The latest backstage updates from WWE have also revealed that the company has initiated a massive scouting effort involving top officials.
Today's lineup has stories that could significantly impact the WWE product in the months to follow. So, without further delay, here is the latest Rumor Roundup.
#5 Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins could happen after WWE SummerSlam
Roman Reigns is all set to defend the Universal Championship against Edge at Money in the Bank, and the Tribal Chief is widely expected to retain his title.
While Edge and Roman Reigns will ideally put on a great match, WWE's main focus, as stated above, is on shaping up a high-profile SummerSlam card.
Dave Meltzer reported on the Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE's current plan is to have Seth Rollins take on Edge at SummerSlam. Meltzer stated that Rollins could win against the Rated-R Superstar before entering a program with Roman Reigns the following month.
"That would probably be September if they even get to it by September because the last I heard for SummerSlam was Edge vs. Seth Rollins. So, you know if Seth Rollins were to beat Edge, then it makes all the sense in the world to go with Seth vs. Roman Reigns at that point," Meltzer stated.
Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins last faced each other in a singles competition way back in October 2019 on a SmackDown episode.
The former Shield stablemates have undergone drastic character transformations since their last showdown and a full-blown feud between the two stars could be the top WWE angle of the summer.
#4 Samoa Joe is working towards an in-ring WWE return
Samoa Joe's stunning NXT return following his WWE release has added a breath of fresh air to the black and gold brand. As we had noted earlier, Triple H played a massive part in getting Joe back to NXT, but the former US Champion is not content with just having a non-wrestling role.
Samoa Joe was a guest on Ryan Satin's Out of Character podcast, and the 42-year-old superstar confirmed that he is working towards an in-ring return.
Joe has not competed since February 2020 as he has not been given the clearance to perform due to a few recurring injury struggles. However, the veteran wrestler is confident of lacing up his wrestling boots again.
"Absolutely, we'll just say yes, and leave it at that," Joe said.
Joe also named the opponents he would like to face in NXT once he returns to action. The former TNA world champion named Karrion Kross, Pete Dunne, WALTER, Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O'Reilly, and Bronson Reed as the stars he would like to wrestle in WWE NXT.
"I think Karrion Kross and Pete Dunne would definitely top that list. I think a guy like WALTER. People have been asking for it [Joe vs. WALTER], and I'm not blind. It's with good reason. I mean, the guy's a powerhouse, and we want to see some furniture move. It's not just one or two guys. Guys from Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O'Reilly. There's several very, very accomplished athletes in NXT." H/t Danny Hart of Sportskeeda Wrestling
Samoa Joe's in-ring comeback will be a highly-publicized occasion, and we sincerely hope that the superstar gets the green signal from WWE's medical team.
#3 Clarity on Kevin Owens' WWE status following request for some time off
Kevin Owens lost to Sami Zayn at Hell in a Cell, and the WWE superstar took to Twitter immediately after the match to release the following:
I fought like hell. Now, I need a little break. I'll be back soon. Thank you, guys.
Kevin Owens' tweet hinted at a brief hiatus from WWE, and Dave Meltzer confirmed that the former Universal Champion had indeed asked for some time off.
While KO missed the last episode of SmackDown, he was surprisingly announced for a Last Man Standing match against Sami Zayn for the July 2nd episode. The announcement caused some confusion amongst fans regarding Owens' status as he was initially reported to be off TV.
In an update on the story, Dave Meltzer revealed that Kevin Owens was always scheduled to be back by July 2nd. The former IC Champion needed just under two weeks of time off due to personal reasons, and he was granted the same by WWE.
Owens was slated to miss only one SmackDown episode, and as planned, the superstar will be back in action on the next installment of the blue brand.
#2 Possible spoiler on a new WWE signing
The recent mass releases might not stop WWE from signing new wrestlers as a highly-rated female talent could be on her way to the company.
As reported by PWInsider, Jamie Hayter vacated REV Pro's Undisputed British Women's Championship after being offered a WWE tryout.
Given below is PWInsider's report:
REV Pro in the United Kingdom announced that their Undisputed British Women's Championship, which was held by Jamie Hayter, is now vacant because Hayter was offered a WWE tryout. Former champions Zoe Lucas and Gisele Shaw will square off on 7/4 at the London Cockpit event to crown a new champion. Hayter defeated Shaw for the title on 2/7. Skye Smitson from the REV Pro women's division is receiving a WWE tryout as well.
The 26-year-old British wrestler was in her second reign with the title, and all roads now seemingly lead to WWE. Hayter has previously worked for the company as she made a special appearance for NXT UK in a losing effort to Piper Niven in January 2020.
Hayter has even competed on a couple of AEW Dynamite episodes. She lost to Britt Baker in October 2019 and returned to pick up her first victory in November in a tag team match.
Jamie Hayter has been wrestling since 2015, and she has worked for many promotions, including World Wonder Ring Stardom.
#1 WWE has kicked off a major scouting effort, Vince McMahon and other top officials involved
WWE is getting ready to freshen up the product with a potential influx of new faces from NXT.
As reported extensively over the past few weeks, WWE has brought in talent from NXT to RAW and SmackDown to tape dark matches and WWE Main Event bouts. Karrion Kross, Shotzi Blackheart, Scarlett, and Bronson Reed have been spotted backstage at recent main roster shows.
Fightful Select released an update and revealed that the recent developments are part of WWE's latest scouting drive to 'replenish the main roster.' The WWE locker room has suffered from a high number of releases and 'repeated booking patterns,' and the company realizes it's time for a shake-up.
The report stated that many top officials have been coming down to the Performance Center to scout talent. Bruce Prichard and John Laurinaitis have already made the trip to the WWE PC. Prichard and Johnny Ace witnessed the WWE PC Live events, which are house shows not open to the public.
Vince McMahon is also scheduled to show up at the Performance Center on Thursday to continue the scouting operation.
What are your thoughts on WWE's new direction and whether anything will come out of it? Let us know in the comments section.
