WWE Rumor Roundup - Sasha Banks changes name, Ban on mentioning Asuka's move on TV, Superstar's pitch for a character change rejected - 28th November 2020

We welcome you all to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup. While things may seem relatively quiet in the aftermath of Thanksgiving, there are still many stories to discuss from the WWE, and we focus on the most newsworthy ones of the lot in today's lineup.

Sasha Banks has drawn attention on social media after she changed her name on Twitter and Instagram. We may know the reason behind the move.

It has also been revealed that there is a ban on mentioning the popular name of one of Asuka's moves, and it is all because of Chris Jericho.

Details of a big Liv Morgan request being rejected have also come to light.

Elsewhere, we have several backstage notes on WWE's big plans for Jey Uso and Roman Reigns.

On another interesting note, WWE apparently referenced a controversial Goldberg incident on RAW's most recent episode.

Let's dive into the latest edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup:

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#5. WWE SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks changes name on social media

Sasha Banks is currently enjoying the most dominant phase of her WWE career as she is finally having a sustained run with a Women's Championship. The Boss is at the top of her game in the WWE, but she is also making waves outside the company.

It should be noted that Sasha Banks has changed her name on Twitter to 'Mercedes Varnado', which is her real name. While the @SashaBanksWWE is still being used, her main account name has been changed.

WrestlingNews.co highlighted that there have been talks in recent weeks about WWE planning on establishing its booking agency for the Superstars, which would enable the performers to use their WWE names for outside projects.

It was added that the wrestlers who don't get booked through WWE would have to use their real names for projects and media appearances outside WWE's realm.

Sasha Banks recently made her debut on Disney's Mandalorian series, and her real name mentioned was in the TV guide. It seems like a trend for WWE Superstars to use their real names, especially those attracting attention from other streams of entertainment.

Xavier Woods has gone with his Austin Creed name following his signing with G4. Charlotte Flair, who is currently on a hiatus, is also expected to use 'Ashley Flair' for work outside WWE. Flair signed with VanyerSports agency not too long ago, and there are plans for her to push for projects outside pro wrestling actively.

Sasha Banks' social media name change has come when she is the reigning SmackDown Women's Champion. Unless WWE sets up its booking agency, many other Superstars, who have intentions of branching out for more opportunities, could also follow suit.

#4. WWE announcers banned from using the term Codebreaker

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that WWE had banned its announcers from mentioning 'codebreaker' on TV.

Asuka made a hot tag and hit a codebreaker, which, by the way, is a term the announcers are banned from using.

The codebreaker, a Double Knee Facebreaker, was rechristened when Chris Jericho returned to the WWE in 2007. The codebreaker is an essential weapon in Asuka's arsenal of moves, and she has been using it since her early days in NXT.

The reigning RAW Women's Champion continues to use the move, but the announcers can't mention it by its popular name due to the association with Chris Jericho.

The announcers no-sold the move as they didn't want to draw attention to the codebreaker and its history with Chris Jericho.

WWE is known to ban terms and words that could promote former WWE Superstars or performers from rival companies, and the codebreaker situation is no different.

In June earlier this year, Chris Jericho had revealed that Ricochet had asked him permission to use the codebreaker. Le Champion didn't have a problem with the request, but he did tell Ricochet that the WWE Superstar might have to change its name if he intends to use it.

#3. Liv Morgan's big request rejected by WWE

Liv Morgan's WWE career has been one topsy-turvy ride. When you look at the big picture, Morgan has not established herself as a top Superstar despite being tipped to get a prominent spot in the women's division.

Inconsistent booking decisions have hurt her momentum, but Morgan is still focused on the task at hand. During a recent interview with Ryan Satin for Fox Sports, Liv Morgan revealed that she wanted to portray a darker character in the WWE. Morgan wanted to use her experiences and childhood struggles to have a gimmick that would be an outlet to express the suppressed emotions.

As you may have imagined, the pitch was turned down as WWE had other plans for the Superstar.

"I basically wanted to use the experiences I've gone through, the struggles of my childhood, and kind of use the character that I was trying to create as an outlet to express the darker feelings that I was feeling. The more sad emotions that I was feeling. So, I wanted to use this character as an outlet to express, maybe, suppressed emotions, you know? I just wanted to use this character as an outlet to show an opposite spectrum of Liv, you know? But, I'm very happy and bubbly, and I just wanted the pitch for it to come on the opposite spectrum of that."

Morgan has reunited with Ruby Riott, and it would be interesting to see whether WWE still has plans to push her as a singles Superstar in the distant future.

#2. WWE referenced the Matt Riddle-Goldberg altercation on RAW

The backstage confrontation between Matt Riddle and Goldberg at WWE SummerSlam 2019 would still be fresh in several fans' memories.

Riddle drew heat for always calling out Goldberg and Brock Lesnar during his interviews, and the King of Bros bumped into the former WCW Champion at last year's SummerSlam.

Goldberg wasn't too pleased with Riddle calling him 'bro' during the awkward interaction, and it seems like WWE referenced the real-life incident on this week's RAW.

MVP and Riddle were involved in a backstage segment in which the former NXT Superstar called him 'bro'. MVP used Goldberg's line by saying, 'I'm not your bro.' The backstage altercation between Riddle and Golberg seems to have become an inside joke, and WWE smartly incorporated it into an angle on RAW.

Here's what Dave Meltzer noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

MVP told him, "I'm not your bro." I think this was taken from Riddle's confrontation with Goldberg in real life when Riddle actually called Goldberg "bro," and Goldberg said, "I'm not your bro."

Riddle has received decent amounts of TV time as a RAW Superstar, and there is a storyline brewing between him and the Hurt Business.

As for Goldberg, the former WWE Universal Champion has not competed since WrestleMania 36.

#1. WWE's plans for Jey Uso and Roman Reigns

The storyline featuring Jey Uso and Roman Reigns has been moving from strength and strength as it continues to be the most prominent angle on WWE SmackDown.

WWE kicked off Kevin Owens' Universal title program with Roman Reigns on the most recent edition of SmackDown, and KO even picked up a win over Jey Uso in the main event of the show.

Jey Uso has been in fine form since starting his storyline with Reigns as the former Tag Team Champion has been involved in multiple main event matches, and thankfully for him, Jey has looked phenomenal. It's interesting to note that Michael Cole even called him 'Main Even Uso' on SmackDown.

A report from WrestlingNews.co has revealed that while WWE's main priority is still to elevate Roman Reigns, the plan is to get Jey and Jimmy Uso to the next level.

WWE has several changes in store for Jey Uso, and one of them included him wrestling without a shirt. Jey Uso is also expected to get a new entrance and theme song as WWE plans to tweak his presentation.

It was added that Vince McMahon is backing the storyline as it has been mapped out for several months. Jey Uso has also received high praise backstage from the talent and the people in management for his performances.

Jey Uso is reaping the benefits of a hot storyline, and he is doing his bit of showing his true capabilities.