WWE Rumor Roundup - Respected veteran heartbroken after release, Storyline canceled, Giant Superstar returning, Big backstage news on John Cena - 3rd December 2020 

It's time for another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup, where we compile some of the most newsworthy stories discussed in WWE.

It's been quite a week in pro wrestling as Sting made his AEW debut, and the promotion delivered one of the best Dynamites ever.

As always, we have some big stories in today's lineup. A respected veteran, who was with WWE for 35 years, finally opened up about his recent release from the company and how heartbreaking the entire ordeal was for him. An injured Superstar is also expected to return soon as his injury is not as severe as previously imagined.

Details of WWE canceling a big storyline for a former NXT Superstar have also come to light. There was also some frustration backstage over the latest Liv Morgan documentary.

A veteran also disclosed information on the backstage relationship between Vince McMahon and John Cena.

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#5. Mike Chioda heartbroken and frustrated with WWE release

Mike Chioda was one of the many employees released by WWE on that fateful day of April 15, 2020. Chioda, the longest-tenured referee in WWE before his release, was shown the door as part of the company's cost-cutting operation.

Chioda joined WWE in 1989, and he rose to become one of the most respected veterans in the business, which made his release even more shocking.

Mike Chioda himself was quite taken aback by the release as he opened up about the WWE departure during his "Monday Mailbag with Mike Chioda" show.

Chioda said that he was heartbroken, frustrated, and annoyed by WWE's decision to release him. The respected veteran stated that he would have loved to finish his career in WWE if the company had asked him to do so. Chioda would have been prepared to take up any role in WWE, but he was disappointed that the company didn't find a place for him.

"I can't say Vince didn't reciprocate loyalty. Vince, Linda, Shane, and Stephanie gave me loyalty for 35 years. I don't know where the loyalty went at this point, but it is very disappointing. They couldn't find a spot somewhere to let me retire after all these years in the best company, the only company I ever been with in 35 years? For 35 years, I always thought this company did it the right way in the professional wrestling business around the world. To be honest with you, it breaks my heart a little bit. I'm annoyed and frustrated why I couldn't finish off my career. If they wanted me to retire in six months, I would have said yea. Hey, we're going to need you doing this over here or training referees or mopping floors. Whatever. I don't know if it really came from Vince. I can't honestly say it did, but it happened. It's a little frustrating." H/t WrestlingNews.co

Since being released from the WWE, the 54-year-old Mike Chioda has made two appearances in AEW, the most recent one happening at Full Gear for Cody Rhodes' TNT Championship match against Darby Allin.

#4. WWE nixed plan to recreate an iconic 2005-2006 storyline

It's no secret that several storylines in WWE don't even make it out of the drawing board. Many pitched angles end up being nixed for various reasons, and we can now add another one to the list.

A Fightful Select report has revealed several details of WWE's big storyline plan for Chelsea Green.

WWE originally had planned a big push for Chelsea Green, and the idea was to emulate the iconic 2005-2006 storyline between Mickie James and Trish Stratus. The plan was for Chelsea Green to be the 'obsessed fan' while Mickie James would play Trish Stratus' role. The scheduled program was in the advanced stages as several creative team members were quite excited about executing the angle.

Mickie James and Chelsea Green had even taped some content for the storyline. However, unfortunately for all involved parties, the angle was canceled hours before it was scheduled to air on TV. It was noted that 'everything was a go,' and the plans abruptly changed at the very last minute.

Chelsea Green didn't appear on TV for several months until she recently made her SmackDown debut. Green suffered an untimely wrist injury during the match she was reportedly scheduled to win, and as things stand, the former NXT Superstar is recuperating from the injury.

#3. Braun Strowman returning to WWE TV sooner than expected

WWE wrote Braun Strowman off TV with a suspension angle on RAW a couple of weeks ago, and it was, quite frankly, surprising as the company's focus was on setting up the TLC match card.

Dave Meltzer had originally reported that the plan was for Drew McIntyre to defend the WWE Championship against Braun Strowman at TLC, but the booking changed following Strowman's injury.

It was noted that Strowman suffered a leg injury at Survivor Series, and there was a lot of confusion surrounding his status.

Bryan Alvarez revealed during a recent Wrestling Observer Live that Strowman's injury isn't serious, and he hasn't heard anything about The Monster Among Men undergoing surgery. Strowman isn't expected to be out for long, and the fans can expect to see him back sooner rather than later.

"The story, as noted, is that Braun was scheduled to face Drew McIntyre at TLC, but he got the leg injury, and he is rehabbing it. I didn't hear anything about surgery, just that they are rehabbing it. Presumably, he won't be out that long, but I guess we'll see."

AJ Styles will take on Drew McIntyre at TLC, and Strowman could ideally return after the pay-per-view. The former Universal Champion has played up the suspension storyline on social media, and the fans should keep an eye out for a potentially destructive return to WWE RAW.

#2. Arn Anderson reveals details on the backstage relationship in WWE between John Cena and Vince McMahon

Arn Anderson was back with another insightful episode of his 'ARN' podcast, and one of the topics of discussion was John Cena and his rise in WWE.

Arn Anderson revealed the long-term issue of John Cena in WWE. The veteran also said that he never shied away from telling John Cena when something was wrong. Anderson, who worked in WWE as a producer for a very long time, revealed that John Cena's influence within the company grew as years passed.

Anderson claimed that Vince McMahon would go along with John Cena's ideas and angles nine times out of 10.

"I never failed to tell him what I thought and when something was too much, and [if] we're making a mistake here. If it was already settled and it was already being discussed, I had very, very little control over that."

"As the years crept by, less and less, John took more control of what he felt he should do in his angles. Nine times out of 10, Vince would go right along with him, and I understand." H/t Danny Hart of Sportskeeda

However, Anderson understood Vince McMahon and John Cena's dynamic as the 16-time WWE Champion was the company's biggest merchandise seller. The fans used to come to see Cena even when the business was down, according to Anderson.

Anderson ended his comment by saying that he would have liked to see 'John Cena' spread some of that wealth around' and help get some heat on the heels during his heyday.

#1. Polarizing backstage reactions to Liv Morgan's new WWE Network special

WWE recently dropped the 'Liv Forever' documentary on the WWE Network, and the initial reactions are quite polarizing, to say the least.

A Fightful Select report has revealed that the 'Liv Forever' WWE Network special has both been praised and criticized backstage in the company. Liv Morgan is a popular name in the locker room, and there are people behind the scenes who weren't happy with some of the aspects portrayed in the documentary.

Liv Morgan has been a victim of a last-minute change of plans, 'stop-start creative,' and repeated instances of broken promises. Several people within the company, who watched the WWE Network special on Liv Morgan, highlighted the things mentioned above to Fightful.

A wrestler also told Fightful that they fear missing any in-ring time as you might not get any shows despite being ready to return later. It was explained that if you get booked bad on one show, it could become a trend for weeks in WWE, and talent is concerned about it.

A long-tenured wrestler was also 'shocked' that the company greenlit the content that went up on Liv Morgan's documentary. Liv Morgan's struggles and the lack of creative support were openly highlighted, and the wrestler was surprised by the decision, as it paints WWE in a negative light. The promotion is known to control the narrative to preserve its image.

Liv Morgan has not been able to break through as a singles star, but the positive takeaway is that the 26-year-old Superstar still has time on her side and the locker room's support.