5 Top WWE rumors from this week: Former world champion wants to return for WrestleMania, Vince McMahon has given up on top RAW star (January 22th, 2022)

Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly rumor roundup, where we will take a look at the top rumors from the world of WWE.

With Royal Rumble 2022 coming closer and closer, fans are hyped to go on an exciting journey, famously known as the Road to WrestleMania. Several top superstars are unfortunately out of action but a former WWE Champion is insistent on getting back in time for WrestleMania 38.

We also have an update on the WrestleMania plans for both world champions, Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar.

Vince McMahon has reportedly given up on a former Universal Champion while he has huge plans for a young superstar. A legendary name is set to be in attendance at the Royal Rumble. We also have an update on the situation of Mustafa Ali asking for his release from the company.

Without any further ado, let's take a look at the top rumors from this past week. Be sure to let us know your thoughts and reactions on the same in the comments section below.

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#5 Drew McIntyre is expected to be back for WWE WrestleMania 38

Drew McIntyre is currently out of action due to a legitimate neck issue and is expected to miss this year's Royal Rumble. However, he is expected to be back in time for WrestleMania 38 in April.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, McIntyre is doing rehab. Meltzer noted that The Scottish Warrior is taking the "John Cena approach" and wants to return in time for WrestleMania.

''Regarding McIntyre, he’s been doing rehab and decompression therapy on his neck. He’s taking the John Cena approach of double sessions six days a week and is pretty insistent he’ll make it back for WrestleMania,'' said Meltzer.

Drew McIntyre has been one of WWE's top stars over the last couple of years. There were plans for him to face Universal Champion Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble but that didn't happen due to his injury. It is to be seen when McIntyre will return and what are the plans for him at WrestleMania.

#4 Vince McMahon has given up on pushing Finn Balor

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has reportedly given up on pushing Finn Balor. The former Universal Champion returned to Monday Night RAW this past week but lost his match to Austin Theory.

According to a report, Balor's role now is to help get young stars over. It adds that Mr. McMahon never saw him as a main-eventer.

“Yea, Finn was moved into the spot that Jeff Hardy had," claimed WrestlingNews.co's source. "He’s just there now to help get over the younger guys. There was a pitch to make him heel but that was weeks ago and I haven’t heard much about it since then. Vince never saw Finn as more than just a mid card guy."

The same report states that Vince McMahon is very high on Austin Theory and will give him time to shine in the upcoming Royal Rumble match.

He will reportedly be in the final four or five of the men's Royal Rumble. McMahon has had several backstage segments on RAW with Theory over the last few months, mentoring the young star.

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#3 The Undertaker will be in attendance at WWE Royal Rumble

PWInsider has reported that The Undertaker is set to be in attendance in St. Louis for the Royal Rumble next weekend. The report states that while anything is possible, The Phenom is mostly there to support his wife Michelle McCool who will be entering the women's Royal Rumble match.

It is also possible that WWE has brought him in to film some content for the Network. With WrestleMania 38 set to take place in Dallas this year, fans are hoping to see The Undertaker finally get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Could his return lead to an official announcement from the company about the same? The report has definitely raised hope among fans and started speculation of a surprise appearance in the Royal Rumble match from The Phenom but that looks unlikely.

#2 Update on WrestleMania plans for Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns

There has been massive speculation recently of WWE Champion Brock Lesnar facing Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38 in a "champion vs. champion" bout. This was further fueled when Lesnar showed up on SmackDown and challenged Reigns to a match.

However, Dave Meltzer has reported on the Wrestling Observer Radio that there are no such plans. He added that the WrestleMania plans for the two would become cleared after Royal Rumble.

“I was told no. That they just did it because those two guys had the belt at the time. So it made sense to do it at the time. But, at the time, that was not the direction that they were planning on…Lesnar and Reigns are going to have a match. I think we’ll have a lot better idea of what’s gonna happen after the Royal Rumble. But, if Seth wins and then Lesnar’s wrestling Roman, I would presume Roman beats him to win a belt back. Because Lesnar’s not going to be around long-term and Roman will be around every week," said Dave Meltzer.

Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship and Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship have been announced for the Royal Rumble. Could we see one of the world titles change hands next Saturday?

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#1 WWE has denied Mustafa Ali's release request

Earlier this week, Mustafa Ali took to Twitter to openly ask for his release from WWE. While the announcement shocked many, some were also of the opinion that Ali was doing the right thing as he wasn't being used well in the promotion.

It has since been reported that Mustafa Ali got into a heated argument with Vince McMahon backstage for turning down a character change and hasn't been seen on SmackDown since.

While the initial belief was that he will be granted his release, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select has now reported that Ali won't be getting his release. He added that the WWE Superstar has years left on his contract with the company.