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Welcome to this week's edition of WWE/wrestling rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't. We're less than two weeks away from things returning to "normal" in WWE, as fans are set to pack arenas in the upcoming live tour.
This week's edition features some interesting backstage notes in the company, Money in the Bank rumors, injuries, departures, and future storylines. Who left WWE after 2.5 years in a backstage role? Which hated superstar is beloved backstage? Which superstars are getting a big title push on RAW? Let's find out:
#4. Hope is true: WWE executives apologized to Zelina Vega
Zelina Vega is officially back in WWE. In late 2020, she was released from the promotion in a surprising move. Her release had to do with a breach of the third-party rule that WWE had implemented.
With the number of superstars being released from the company, there have been conversations about a few names, with many believing they shouldn't have been let go.
One such example was Samoa Joe, who was released by WWE, only to return as an authority figure on NXT. He revealed that Triple H was responsible for him getting rehired. The Game said there was interest from Joe pre-pandemic about eventually transitioning into a backstage role.
Zelina Vega's case is a bit different. Mike Johnson of PWInsider summarized the events of what happened when Vega was released. PWInsider revealed that after back-and-forth conversations, WWE officials apologized to her and offered her a contract to return:
"We are told that even after Vega was released, there were segments of the company who felt she should have been retained and not released," stated Mike Johnson. "We are told those segments of the company pushed for conversations between the two sides to continue. They eventually did and we are told that after a long period of back and forth conversations, WWE execs apologized to Vega and made her an offer to return. Eventually, she decided to go through that open door and signed back with the company."
We hope this is true because the circumstances of Zelina Vega's WWE release seemed a bit unfair. We can only hope that she was offered the same or a better deal to return to the company.
#4. Hope isn't true: WWE planning a handicap match for Roman Reigns?
Roman Reigns' next defense of the WWE Universal Championship is set to take place against Edge at Money in the Bank in less than two weeks. It was the originally planned WrestleMania (Night Two) main event until the company decided to add Daniel Bryan to the mix.
Before this, Reigns was in a feud with WWE legend Rey Mysterio. He defeated Mysterio in an entertaining Hell in a Cell match, but there was one big problem. Everyone knew that Mysterio was going to lose, and WWE made no effort to hide the fact on TV.
A report from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter stated that the company is planning to continue the Roman Reigns-Rey Mysterio rivalry. A handicap match for the Universal title is also reportedly going to happen:
"The Smackdown TV matches announced are Mysterios & mystery partner vs. Reigns & Usos and Belair vs. Bayley. 7/24 in Pittsburgh is listing Reigns vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio in a handicap match with the title at stake which means Reigns has to win and putting the title up in a handicap match is stupid to begin with, as it just makes the babyfaces look like they are losers to start out with."
We hope this isn't true because it isn't a good look for Rey and Dominik Mysterio. The feud should be over, especially since a program against Edge is far bigger for WWE.
#3. Hope is true: Backstage perception of Baron Corbin in WWE
Baron Corbin has been on the WWE main roster since 2016. In that time, he has always managed to remain a consistent figure on television, spending most of his tenure on SmackDown.
He was the King of the Ring winner in 2019 and held the crown until recently, where he lost it to Shinsuke Nakamura. Despite his "downward slip" storyline on SmackDown, Corbin seems to have a good place in WWE.
Andrew Zarian appeared on FigureFourOnline's We're Live Pal! podcast and revealed that there is an extremely positive perception of Baron Corbin backstage in WWE:
"Baron Corbin is beloved in that company. Maybe not by the fans, but I can tell you from a former writer one time told me that he is one of the most pleasant people to work with because he will not be combative, and he works with you on stuff. And us as fans, we look at this, and we're like 'ah, another Baron Corbin match,' but his heat was so negative where it's now turned into normal heat in a weird way," stated Andrew Zarian. H/t WrestlingNews.co
We hope this is true because Corbin deserves recognition backstage. Despite him having "go away heat" in WWE before, he has done well in his role. He may not become a main event superstar, but not everybody needs to be.
#3. Hope isn't true: Mercedes Martinez taken to the hospital after WWE NXT
Mercedes Martinez made her return to NXT late last year after a brief stint on the WWE main roster. She was a part of the RETRIBUTION faction, but was quietly removed after Mustafa Ali was revealed as its leader.
Martinez reportedly requested to move back to NXT and when she did, she inserted herself into title contention against Io Shirai. She failed on that occasion as well as her attempt against Raquel Gonzalez.
This past week on WWE NXT, Mercedes Martinez teamed up with Jake Atlas to face Xia Li and Boa. During the match, Martinez received a kick to the head that legitimately knocked her out. Despite kicking out of the pin, the WWE referee was forced to call a stop to the contest.
There was backstage concern for Mercedes Martinez, and Sean Ross Sapp revealed that the company took her to the hospital for further evaluation:
We hope this isn't true because of the risk of concussions. Martinez is one of WWE's veterans on NXT, so it likely isn't something she hasn't faced before. Either way, we hope she is safe.
#2. Hope is true: WWE adding more title matches to Money in the Bank
Money in the Bank 2021 will be the first WWE pay-per-view of the post-Thunderdome era. With crowds returning two days before on SmackDown, the company is going all out with Money in the Bank 2021.
The pay-per-view is expected to be headlined by the blockbuster Universal title clash between Roman Reigns and Edge. The signature Money in the Bank ladder matches will determine two potential future Champions from the men and women's sides.
So far, six matches have been added by WWE to the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. Apart from the signature ladder matches and the two World title matches, there will be an "I Quit" match between Bianca Belair and Bayley.
According to Cageside Seats, WWE could be adding a RAW Tag Team Championship match as well as a Women's Tag Team Championship match.
"The expectation is there will be a Raw Tag Team title match added to Money in the Bank, and a women’s tag title match may also be scheduled for the show."
We hope this is true because both matches should be on the pay-per-view. Since AJ Styles didn't qualify for the men's ladder match, it makes sense for him to defend the RAW Tag Team Titles along with Omos.
We expect WWE to have Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke face Natalya and Tamina.
#2. Hope isn't true: Sonjay Dutt leaves WWE
Sonjay Dutt joined WWE in early 2019 as a producer backstage. He was known throughout his wrestling career for his time outside of WWE, primarily IMPACT Wrestling.
Dutt was always considered a great talent and he had experience working backstage as a producer in IMPACT Wrestling as well. After two-and-a-half years in WWE, he has reportedly left the company, per Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful. Sportskeeda's Zain Jafri wrote:
As per Fightful Select, Sonjay Dutt has left WWE. He no longer works as a producer for the company. Dutt was not fired from WWE but instead, it was his own decision to leave the promotion.
Dave Meltzer confirmed that Sonjay Dutt left WWE on his own and wasn't a part of the increasingly-frequent releases happening:
A report from PWInsider stated that Dutt will now be moving to AEW as a producer. While we hope the part about him leaving WWE isn't true, perhaps he felt it was for the best.
In many cases, people in Vince McMahon's promotion may now prefer leaving on their own terms before they get inevitably released in some cases.
#1. Hope is true: WWE to give RK-Bro a title push?
RK-Bro is an odd-pairing tag team that has turned into one of the most entertaining parts of WWE television. Over the past year or more, SmackDown has largely been considered the best brand in the company. RAW has had its fair share of moments, but it's an understandable argument.
Post-WrestleMania, Riddle, and Randy Orton formed an unusual tag team that has worked out well. While both superstars still don't seem to be a singular unit, it's a storyline that we expect to unfold over the course of 2021. Hopefully, there will even be a long-term storyline planned.
While The Original Bro is set to challenge for the Money in the Bank briefcase, we don't expect WWE to give him that kind of a push just yet. However, both he and Orton could be set for a big push in the WWE RAW Tag Team division.
According to Fightful, RK-Bro is supposedly set to challenge for the RAW Tag Team titles post-Money in the Bank. Sportskeeda's Sai Krishna wrote:
According to Fightful, the RK-Bro duo are speculated to be facing AJ Styles & Omos for the WWE RAW Tag Team Championships at the July 25th Supershow Live Event in Louisville, Kentucky.
We hope this is true because they're probably the right team to dethrone AJ Styles and Omos. One could argue that this has been Styles' most underwhelming title reign in WWE and a change might soon be needed.
#1. Hope isn't true: Update on when WWE is planning a Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins feud
Despite being on the losing end to Cesaro on most occasions, WWE seems to be pushing Seth Rollins towards Universal title contention. After defeating The Swiss Superman, Rollins began to demand a Universal title shot, furious over Edge's opportunity at Money in the Bank.
The case that Seth Rollins made wasn't unfair. The Rated-R Superstar essentially took a vacation from the company for three months and is instantly back into the Universal title mix. However, it is WWE and that's simply the way it works. Edge's name value will always hold more power to three months of activity that Rollins had in WWE in that time.
According to Dave Meltzer on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE could be planning a Roman Reigns-Seth Rollins feud soon after SummerSlam:
On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that WWE could book a feud between Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns after this year's SummerSlam. Seth Rollins is reportedly facing Edge at WWE SummerSlam 2021. Meltzer noted that if Rollins beats Edge, it would make sense for him to challenge Roman Reigns after SummerSlam.
It might sound odd that we hope it isn't true, but we have a reason. A heel vs. heel feud would admittedly be interesting, but since there doesn't seem to be a Rollins babyface turn on the horizon, it's probably best to hold off on the match.
From the other point of view, it's also understandable to argue that Reigns is running out of challengers on SmackDown. Post-SummerSlam, WWE may need Seth Rollins to be in the top feud against Roman Reigns. But until a babyface turn happens, the feud may not be as good.
