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With WWE Extreme Rules now behind us, let's take a look at some of the latest news from the WWE Universe. In this edition of the Roundup, we take a look at Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson opening up about their release from WWE as well as another released Superstar revealing his new gimmick.
We also take a look at John Cena slamming conspiracy theories, an offical update on Rey Mysterio and more. Read on for the full scoop:
Luke Gallows opens up about WWE release and calls Paul Heyman a liar
Recently, AJ Styles spoke about Paul Heyman on his Mixer stream and called Heyman a "boldface liar" regarding Gallows and Anderson's release from WWE. Gallows and Anderson opened up with more details on their Talk N' Shop podcast.
Karl Anderson opened up about their releases from WWE. He said that when they started asking around to find out what led to their releases from the company. He added that they heard that Paul Heyman was behind the decision. Anderson described what happened next:
AJ went to Paul Heyman and said, 'Did you fire these guys, or did you put the word in to fire them?' And Paul said, 'No, you have my word. If I would have known, then I would have gone to bat for them'.
Anderson added that AJ Styles then went to Vince McMahon about it:
So, AJ goes in to Vince and he says, 'You've got to tell me the truth, is Paul the one that said to fire these guys?' Vince told AJ, he said, 'Listen, they weren't on my list, but yes, this was a Heyman thing.
Gallows chimed in at this point and called Heyman a liar:
Apparently he thought we were making too much money for what we were doing, and he's a ****ing liar and he's a piece of s**t.
No Way Jose reveals new look and ring name following WWE release
No Way Jose was one of the Superstars WWE released when the company was hit by the financial implications of the COVID-19 outbreak.
No Way Jose recently took to Twitter to reveal his new look and his new ring name following WWE. According to the video Jose released on Twitter, he will not wrestle under the name Levy Valenz. The video also showed Valenz fka No Way Jose watching EC3's promo video after his release from WWE and he then said the following:
I am essential, I pledge fidelity to the destruction of my former self. I am not my corporately mandated persona, I am not my material possessions, I am not relying on authority to tell me what is right and what is wrong. I will not let my value be based on comments, likes, or followers. I will not seek affirmation from toxic group thinking, I will not filter my authenticity of self. I am essential.
I will speak my truth through words and actions, I will wear betrayal as a wound of battle, I will pursue vengeance with a primitive and relentless force. I vow to find freedom, I vow to find purpose, I vow to create something that will last. I am essential. I control my narrative. Free Levy Valenz. You have been warned.
Braun Strowman calls Goldberg "just another victim"
WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman beat Goldberg to win the title at WrestleMania. Although Strowman's run as champion has been a little uneventful, we are getting set for another showdown with 'The Fiend' at WWE SummerSlam next month, the final blow-off to their feud.
Strowman recently spoke to Sports Illustrated and revealed that while he had respect for Goldberg, the legend was "just another victim":
Powerslam, powerslam, powerslam, one-two-three, new Universal champion. Goldberg’s a legend and an icon, so it was a surreal thing to work with him. But it’s also a business, so unfortunately for Bill, he was just another victim in the list of people that got these hands.
Strowman faced Bray Wyatt in their second match of the current feud at WWE Extreme Rules last night.
Strowman faced Bray Wyatt in the cinematic Swamp Fight, although it was a non-title match. The finish of the match saw Strowman tossing Wyatt into the swamp. The Fiend then emerged and caught Strowman with the Mandible Claw and both men submerged into the water.
WWE legend John Cena slams COVID-19 conspiracy theories
COVID-19 has changed life as we know it in many parts of the world. From lockdowns to social distancing and wearing masks in public, people from all around the globe are taking precautions.
However, despite the fact that the pandemic is obviously based on scientific fact, a number of conspiracy theories have done the rounds including one that said the COVID-19 virus was made in a lab.
16-time WWE Champion John Cena was recently a guest on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and he slammed conspiracy theories regarding the pandemic:
There's a lot of official looking stuff on the internet, not all of it's true. And there's some stuff that seems false but isn't, like this one: John Oliver and I are the exact same age. Yep, born on the same year and on the exact same day. That seems impossible that two human bodies can age so differently, but it's true. I checked, and it's important to do that. So before you go believing a theory about the pandemic or share any information about the pandemic, it's good to know where that information is coming from.
You can check out John Oliver's full segment on conspiracy theories above:
WWE's official report on Rey Mysterio's future
WWE Extreme Rules saw Rey Mysterio facing Seth Rollins in the first ever Eye for an Eye match. The objective of the match was to remove the eye of the opponent in order to win. Rollins ended up winning the match after sending Mysterio eye-first into the corner of one of the steel steps.
WWE ended up releasing an official statement after Extreme Rules:
After the sickening conclusion of the Eye for an Eye Match, Charly Caruso provided an update on the condition of Rey Mysterio. Mysterio was rushed to a local medical facility to be treated for a potential globe luxation. Medical experts were optimistic that if the optic nerve is not severed and there is not too much strain on the blood vessels and nerves that connect the Eye to the rest of the head, there's a chance Mysterio can maintain his vision. Stay with WWE social and digital platforms for the latest updates on Mysterio's condition.
Mysterio's WWE contract expired last month and we still don't know whether he has decided to re-sign with the company.
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