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  • WWE Rumor Roundup: Veteran calls former World Champion 'poison' of the locker room; Vince McMahon responsible for big push; Randy Orton's SummerSlam opponent - 9 July 2020
Randy Orton/Vince McMahon

WWE Rumor Roundup: Veteran calls former World Champion 'poison' of the locker room; Vince McMahon responsible for big push; Randy Orton's SummerSlam opponent - 9 July 2020

Welcome to the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring the biggest stories and updates from the world of WWE for you.

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On today's edition, we will talk about Vince McMahon's new project, what role Drew McIntyre played in Slater's return, and Randy Orton's possible opponent at SummerSlam.

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We will also take a look at what WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross had to say about the late Ultimate Warrior and why he never liked the former WWE Champion. So without any further ado, let us take a look at the biggest stories:

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#5 Jim Ross calls former WWE Champion The Ultimate Warrior 'poison' and 'cancer' of the locker room

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Jim Ross recently spoke about The Ultimate Warrior on his podcast - Grilling JR. The WWE veteran stated that Warrior was not very well-liked backstage and even someone like Bobby Heenan who was very amicable, did not find Warrior likeable. Adding that Ultimate Warrior was not a good guy.

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While talking about Warrior, Jim Ross stated that he wasn't built for the locker room and usually behaved in a very arrogant and selfish manner. Ross also stated that The Ultimate Warrior was a problem child and was against Warrior's return to WWE. He stated that there was no need to bring 'poison' into the locker room.

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He was a problem child. He had a limited skill set. I’m not going to fall in love with this 8 by 10. Why do you want to bring in a poison in your locker room who has marginal wrestling skills who always wants something different, something better. He was irrational. Again, the cancer in the locker room, there was enough of those. You already have enough of them just based on the normal course of business. You eliminate the cancers. You don’t want that in your locker room. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet.

#4 Vince McMahon himself behind Otis' push on WWE SmackDown

Otis has had one of the best years in WWE this year. Not only has he broken out as a top singles competitor, but also been paired with the beautiful Mandy Rose on-screen.

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Otis won his first one-on-one match at WrestleMania this year by beating former World Champion Dolph Ziggler. He has also gone on to become the MITB winner.

As per Fightful (via Cagesideseats), the person responsible for this major push is none other than WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. As per the report, Otis is a total Vince McMahon project.

Fightful is the latest site to report the boss is responsible for Otis’ push. The site’s sources say the Money in the Bank winner is a “total Vince McMahon project.” Both members of Heavy Machinery have made “positive impressions” backstage.

While Otis doesn't exactly fit into the stereotypical Vince McMahon guy, it looks like his out-of-the-box character and funny antics have impressed Vince McMahon who sees a big future Superstar in the Heavy Machinery member.

#3 Randy Orton's plans for WWE SummerSlam

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Randy Orton is possibly the biggest Superstar on the WWE RAW active roster right now. The Legend Killer has had a resurgence this year thanks to his epic matches with WWE Superstar Edge.

Orton will likely be taking on The Big Show at Extreme Rules: Horror Show which leaves his calendar open for SummerSlam. As per a previous report, Randy Orton had himself pitched to face NXT Superstars Adam Cole or Tommaso Ciampa. There were rumors that this match might happen at SummerSlam, however, that might not be the case.

As per Alex McCarthy (via Cagesideseats), Randy Orton will most likely be facing Drew McIntyre instead.

Both WrestleTalk’s Louis Dangoor and TalkSport’s Alex McCarthy report that although Randy Orton wanted to work with either Adam Cole or Tomasso Ciampa at SummerSlam, the lack of top heels means he’ll be Drew McIntyre’s challenger.
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Drew McIntyre had stated in an interview that Randy Orton is the Joker to his Batman. There were plans for Brock Lesnar to return and face Drew McIntyre at SummerSlam, but it looks like those plans are also in jeopardy now.

#2 Drew McIntyre's role in Heath Slater's return to WWE

Despite being released by WWE earlier this year, Heath Slater made a surprising return to RAW this week. The former 3MB member challenged his friend and ex-3MB partner Drew McIntyre to a match for the WWE Championship.

Before the match, Slater complained that McIntyre has not been a good friend to him and hasn't offered to help after Slater was fired by WWE. As per Tom Colohue, this is the opposite of what actually happened as McIntyre has tried his best to get Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal over.

Drew McIntyre, as soon as he won the Championship and even beforehand, wanted to try and get feuds going with Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal, and I've reported that with Jinder Mahal right here on this channel and this podcast. While it's not technically a favour to Drew, as in they are not really trying to help him along and he's just really trying to work with the friends and help their careers, this is one where he is able to support them. It's in a way they are able to keep storylines going because quite often, Champions do get to choose their challengers until they get to the big matches when the championships could change hands.
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While Heath Slater may not have returned permanently to WWE, he did get to share a moment with his best friend Drew McIntyre.

#1 Keith Lee wants to face WWE Champion Drew McIntyre

Keith Lee is the man of the moment as The Limitless One defeated Adam Cole at the Great American Bash and became the new WWE NXT Champion. Not only does Lee hold the top NXT title but he is also the North-American Champion.

Keith Lee has established himself as the top name in NXT. While speaking on WWE's The Bump, Keith Lee stated that he would like to face WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. Here is what Keith Lee stated:

Absolutely. Drew McIntyre is someone that I've never had a singles match with, but I guarantee you this: he would like to have one with me, because I ran him out of Evolve, and I ran him out of NXT. I would like to make that idea into a match. I think the WWE Universe would enjoy it because he's a super athlete, he's not normal. Competitively speaking, this [idea] makes my blood boil." (h/t WrestlingINC)
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Keith Lee has made some bold claims about chasing out Drew McIntyre. It will be interesting to see what happens if the two monsters clash inside a WWE ring.


Also check out the weekly WWE Roundup above:

Meet the man who called CM Punk the softest man alive HERE

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Edited by
Akhilesh Tirumala
 
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