WWE Rumor Roundup: 3 exciting returns at Royal Rumble, 6 RAW Superstars to get a massive push and more – 23 January 2019

In today's roundup, we take a look at the WWE Superstars John Cena never liked and a huge update on Lars Sullivan's WWE future. Adding to that, we also have some exclusive news on Bray Wyatt from Tom Colohue and the massive change that is set to happen to a feud on Monday Night RAW.

Before we get to all that, we need to get past the headline-makers of the day:

3 exciting returns at Royal Rumble

Nia Jax, Ruby Riott and Naomi are set to return for Royal Rumble as per PW Insider’s Mike Johnson. He reports that all three are expected to be in the Rumble this year and will be the surprise entrants in the Women's match. On Naomi he said:

"The word making the rounds is that she will be returning shortly and will be placed on the Smackdown brand. The Royal Rumble would be the most logical place for that return."

Only 5 Superstars have registered their name for the Royal Rumble so far – Charlotte, Nikki Cross, Alexa Bliss, Natalya, Sarah Logan – and there are still 25 spots left open! There might be some legends returning like they do in every Rumble, but still, a lot of current stars are yet to declare themselves for the match.

6 RAW Superstars to get a massive push

Dave Meltzer on the Wrestling Observer Radio has claimed that Paul Heyman is keen on pushing 6 Superstars on Monday Night RAW. He reports that Buddy Murphy, Aleister Black, Humberto Carrillo, Andrade, Ricochet and Drew McIntyre are the stars he has set his sights on. He said:

The idea is, you know, Paul Heyman is really high on Buddy Murphy and by having him as a tag team with Rollins, I mean, you can watch this thing evolve and it’s pretty clear

Ricochet, Drew McIntyre, Humberto Carrillo, Andrade, Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy are like his guys. His projects. I mean that’s been the whole theme of the television show, I mean it’s always to get people over, but those are guys who are really being marked to get over.

All the aforementioned stars have been stealing the show lately and are undoubtedly talented enough to be the face of the show soon.

Vince McMahon loses interest in pushing Lars Sullivan?

Lars Sullivan's time in the main roster has been filled with controversies and injuries. The former NXT Superstar was set to be handed a huge push before he injured his knee and got ruled out for almost a year.

Before that, his controversial online activities from the past came to light just before his debut and reports suggested that things were put on hold because of his personal issues. Now, he has got another controversy hanging over his head.

An Adult film from his past has floated online which has put him in a bad light once again. Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select's The List reports that all these things might have put his push on hold for some time. He said:

"Wrestlers contacted me and asked me if I had known about it before and I had no clue.The thing I was specifically told he won't get fired for it, but one person said, Vince might never look at him the same way again. Just because, that's how Vince is. That's what was one wrestler's opinion of the matter."

No plans for Bray Wyatt to drop the title any time soon

Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue has revealed that The Fiend Bray Wyatt will not be dropping the title any time soon. Daniel Bryan faces the WWE Universal Champion at Royal Rumble this month and got the upper hand last week when he attacked The Fiend from behind on SmackDown.

However, Colohue reveals that there are no plans for Bryan to become the champion at the pay-per-view. He said on Dropkick DiSKussions:

No, unfortunately, I do not, and in many ways, fortunately, I do not. Everything I’m hearing is that Bray Wyatt is planned to have a long title reign. Now, he’s had it since October, so it will be fairly long if he goes till WrestleMania, but he will be cutting short at the Royal Rumble and if he loses now, what on earth are they going to do with him in the next couple of months? The second that the Fiend loses, all the momentum is gone, you can at least save it till WrestleMania.

Rumors suggest that the plan is to keep the title on Wyatt until WrestleMania at least.

2 more Superstars to be added to major feud?

Dave Meltzer revealed on the Wrestling Observer Radio that Rey Mysterio is set to be added to the feud between Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and Big Show with the AOP, Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy.

He believes that Big Show will be leaving soon and the giant will be replaced by Mysterio. Moreover, he added that Aleister Black could also be thrown into the mix as he was involved in a feud with Murphy before the current tag-champion joined Seth Rollins' faction.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer said:

I don’t know if this is going to happen, I know it was the original plan, was now that Rey lost the ladder match, Rey would join in there with Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens against the AOP and Seth. If Buddy Murphy’s in there, they can add Aleister Black in there, because Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy had a natural programme and that kind of gets a lot of guys in sort of a main event programme.

John Cena never liked Alex Riley?

Alex Riley has revealed that John Cena did not like him when he was in WWE. The former NXT Superstar was speaking to Chris Van Vliet when he claimed that the former WWE Champion's opinion had an impact on his career in the company.

Riley, however, clarified that he only heard this from other wrestlers and not from the 16-time champion directly. He made it clear that Cena never showed anything when they interacted backstage. he said:

"I think it came down to, in the end, two men just not liking each other. As sad as that is, it had an impact on my career because he is who he is. I just happened to be in a situation where, right from the start, it was just… he didn't like me.” [H/T Fightful for the transcription]

“I would hear [he didn't like me] from other wrestlers, from time to time. It certainly didn't seem that way when we would interact. It's wrestling. it's something where, you do the best you can to learn in a way that is productive and will get you better. I tried to do that the best I could. It just didn't work out."