WWE Rumor Roundup - Veteran from SmackDown fired, Vince McMahon unhappy, Champion to lose title before SummerSlam? - 29th May 2020
Welcome to another edition of Sportskeeda's daily WWE Rumor Roundup. There have been many stories that were talked about in the day that went by and we take a look at the biggest of the lot.
A long-time employee from SmackDown has been released and the news of it happening has somehow gone under the radar.
Rey Mysterio's retirement has also been one of the biggest stories in the professional wrestling world and we have updates about the upcoming retirement ceremony on RAW, whether or not it is legitimate, and the Superstar Mysterio wants to see retire him.
There was a big update regarding Samoa Joe's in-ring future and his status as a commentator on RAW. Vince McMahon was also reportedly quite unhappy about some information leaking out.
There was also a few backstage updates on Kurt Angle's future in the company. There is also some backstage concern about a current Champion and speculation about when he may drop the title.
On that note, here is the WWE Rumor Roundup:
#6. WWE releases veteran SmackDown lead writer Chris DeJoseph
As reported first by Dave Meltzer, SmackDown lead writer Chris DeJoesph has been released from the company.
It's interesting to note that DeJoseph first worked as a creative team member for the company from 2004 to 2010. During his first WWE stint, DeJoseph even appeared as an on-screen comedy character on a few occasions.
After he left WWE in 2010, DeJoseph worked for various other promotions, including Lucha Underground and Major League Wrestling. He was rehired by the WWE in December 2019 and his latest stint, however, now seems to have come to an abrupt end.
The official reason behind his firing was not revealed.
#5. Vince McMahon reportedly unhappy with information leak
NXT talents are now being used as part of the crowd and the decision has noticeably livened up the shows. However, the news of WWE using NXT talents as part of the crowd was reported before the idea was introduced on RAW, and the WWE officials and Vince McMahon were reportedly unhappy about the leak.
WWE officials reportedly unhappy with the information leak
Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue reported on the latest edition of the Dropkick DiSKussions podcast that the company may also conduct inquiries backstage to figure out who was responsible for the information getting out.
Tom revealed the following:
The WWE really didn't want information getting out there that there would be a crowd. Information of RAW and SmackDown tapings have not been getting out since they have moved to the Performance Center. Nobody has been told this is happening, nobody has been told that's happening, and we haven't had spoilers or anything like that getting through. WWE were very happy about that but this week a lot of information got out and Vince McMahon was apparently not happy at all.
There will be inquires because now they can say for certain someone in that NXT talent is giving information to wrestling media. So the information getting out has put a few people under pressure. What does that mean for the crowds? We'll have to see going forward. I think they will stick with it, NXT talent have been told they would be needed for the future but that said, WWE will look to find out who has been leaking information, if they can't find out, they may end up pulling the crowd.
#4. Speculation on Apollo Crews' US title reign
Apollo Crews is currently experiencing the best phase of his WWE career. Crews was booked to win the US title against Andrade and the fans are happy to see WWE give him a deserved push. Although, how long will the push and his title reign last?
Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue spoke about Apollo Crews' push on the latest edition of the Dropkick DiSKussions podcast with host Korey Gunz.
Tom noted that recent US title reigns have been short and the titleholders mainly belonged to factions. Tom also noted that WWE's biggest concern with Crews has always been his inability to connect with the fans. Thus, it's interesting to note that Crews' push has come at a time when there is no live crowd.
It's tough to judge the success of Apollo Crews' push and Tom also added that the situation could change as the company approaches SummerSlam. WWE prefers established names as we head closer to the big PPV and there is a chance that Crews drops the US title before the show in August/September.
We've unfortunately seen very short title reigns with the United States title in particular, and the belt has been dominated by champions in quite small factions. You think of the Club, you think of team Vega now, and even though it has bounced back and forth with some people, it's sort of been held out of reach by a group. That's not the case right now but that does mean Apollo Crews is quite vulnerable.
Now I see it as a test to prove his mettle. He's fairly new to RAW, he's never been given a substantial push on RAW of any kind and additionally, the concern that they always had with Apollo Crews is that he couldn't connect with the crowd. He's getting a push when there are no crowds, so it's hard to say or not whether it has been that successful. I think they are giving him a chance to prove himself, he's done very well in a short spell of time, but as we start approaching SummerSlam, the WWE tend to focus on more established names. He may lose the title before then.
#3. Backstage updates on Rey Mysterio's retirement ceremony
Rey Mysterio's retirement ceremony will be hosted by Seth Rollins on the upcoming episode of RAW and as you'd expect, the Master of the 619 is not done just yet.
Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue revealed on the Dropkick DiSKussions podcast that the WWE is preparing to swerve the fans, which is quite obvious by Seth Rollins' inclusion in the angle.
Tom stated that while Mysterio's contract allows him to retire ahead of time, the WWE legend will not retire on RAW.
Full-on swerve. Just a full-on swerve. Mysterio is not done yet! His contract has always been a brief one but there are always moments in it that have allowed him to retire ahead of time if he chooses to because Rey does consider this his last run.
We reported here on this podcast that Rey was considering a retirement match for WrestleMania since then everyone seems to be reporting about Rey's contract coming to an end. He has a right to retire whenever he so chooses, it's part of his contract but it's not coming just yet.
Tom also revealed that Rey Mysterio has always wanted Andrade to be the Superstar who retires him.
Well, unfortunately, WWE has spoiled it slightly by mentioning that Seth Rollins would be overseeing the retirement ceremony. So I think they are definitely pushing in that direction. If we do get to the point where his contract is nearly over, which is a while from now, a few months at least, then I think there are a number of people. Andrade seems like the obvious one and I think he's the natural successor. He's someone Rey Mysterio wants to have retire him.
#2. Samoa Joe's WWE status and future
Samoa Joe has been doing a fine job as an announcer on RAW and many fans have been wondering about the Samoan Submission Machine's in-ring future.
Dave Meltzer revealed in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the company now considers Samoa Joe to be the permanent replacement for Jerry Lawler as an announcer.
As of this writing, Joe has not been cleared to wrestle but that could change soon. Meltzer noted that WWE could use his role as a commentator to book in-ring angles, if or when he is cleared to return to action.
Meltzer stated that if the WWE feels that their roster lacks depth then Joe could be pushed as a full-time in-ring performer. If not, there is a chance that Joe mixes up his in-ring and announcing duties in the future.
Meltzer noted the following in the Newsletter:
Regarding Samoa Joe, he is still not cleared to return, however he is also now considered the permanent replacement for Lawler as an announcer. What that means if/when he is cleared is that he may have the role where he announces and they can shoot angles for him to wrestle using that (since those kind of angles usually do well). Things could also change if later there are depth issues and they feel the need to have him as a full-time wrestler. Or he could mix the two.
#1. Kurt Angle's WWE future
Kurt Angle recently appeared as the special guest referee for Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher's Pit Fight match on NXT.
Angle was one of the Superstars who was released as part of WWE's budget cuts in April. Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Kurt Angle and WWE have not signed a new deal, however, Angle will get paid until mid-July, just like the other main roster talents who were released.
The idea is that the WWE is trying to utilize the released talents during the 90-day phase, with Drake Maverick being a prominent example. There was also a plan to use Sarah Logan, however, that never came to fruition.
Meltzer revealed:
We have not heard anything regarding Angle and a new deal. It was noted to us that Angle is still being paid through mid-July like the rest of the people on main roster contracts that were released. The company will use that talent if they have a idea for them, such as Maverick in the tournament (and it would make no sense to let him go after his recent push) and had planned to use Sarah Logan at one point.
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