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Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring the biggest backstage stories and rumors from the world of WWE. In today's article, we will take a look at the status of two former WWE Champions no longer signed to the company.
This article will also take a look at a released WWE Superstar spilling the beans on his time in the company and how he was held back. Plus, details regarding former WWE Champion being removed from a major upcoming project in the promotion.
So without any further ado, let us dive in and take a look at some big rumors and stories from WWE:
#5 Paul Heyman removed permanently from WWE Talking Smack
Paul Heyman's name had become synonymous with Talking Smack over the past few months. However, Roman Reigns' special counsel will no longer serve as the co-host of Talking Smack and has been replaced by Pat McAfee.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has stated that Heyman has been permanently removed from the show and will not be making a return as the co-host.
"Meltzer also reported that Paul Heyman is off Talking Smack permanently, replaced by Pat McAfee. Meltzer said there was no real reason for the decision but 'everything can change tomorrow in WWE.' He said there are questions about how to handle Talking Smack when they go back out on the road, mainly because Fox doesn't want the show to air before the West Coast audience can see the show.''
The report also said there was no such concern for RAW Talk. McAfee is part of the current SmackDown announce table along with Michael Cole. The former NFL star has made a good impression on fans and critics by bringing his vibrant and hilarious commentary style to WWE.
#4 Brock Lesnar's new look compared to former WWE Superstar Kevin Fertig
Bearded Butcher Blend recently posted a few photos of former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar on their Twitter handle. Lesnar looked very different from his usual look as he sported a ponytail and goatee beard.
His new look has been compared to that of former WWE Superstar Kevin Fertig, who had portrayed the character Mordecai. The former superstar reacted to the comparisons and made a light-hearted remark insinuating that he is the one in the photograph featuring Brock Lesnar.
It will be interesting to see if Lesnar makes his WWE return sporting this new look or if he reverts to his tried and tested look. Andrew Zarian of Mat Men Pro Wrestling revealed that negotiations between the company and Lesnar are ongoing even though nothing conclusive has come out yet.
''They wanted Brock," said Zarian. "For whatever reason, the plan didn’t work out. I believe it was creative-wise, it just wasn’t fitting. Financially, they want Brock to commit to live shows. They are working it out, it’s gonna happen."
He also said that the chances of Brock Lesnar returning for SummerSlam are rather bleak at this point.
#3 Former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan removed from upcoming video game project
Daniel Bryan has not been seen in WWE since was 'banished' from SmackDown after losing to Roman Reigns. The backstage reason for Bryan being absent from WWE was his reluctance to re-sign with the company once his contract got over.
It was believed that Bryan would eventually return to the promotion. However, that may not be happening anytime soon, as per Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Live. He had stated that Bryan has been removed from a major upcoming project, which is likely a video game.
''I’m not sure if it’s the video game or what it is but one of these projects that involves obviously the wrestlers in WWE, they were alerted today that this person, this person, this person, this person, this person no longer with WWE and one of the people they mentioned was Daniel Bryan," said Bryan Alvarez.
If WWE truly believed that Bryan would return to the company then it's unlikely that the former WWE Champion would be removed from a project of this scale.
#2 Details on the next WWE Draft
It had been reported that another WWE Draft will be taking place this year. The initial dates that were mentioned were August 31 and September 3. However, there seems to have been a change in the plans as the Draft has now been pushed back a month as per Andrew Zarian of Mat Men Podcast. Here is what Cagesideseats reported:
Looks like WWE has pushed the Draft back from the previously reported post-SummerSlam dates. Mat Men’s Andrew Zarian, says he was told Oct. 1 & 4, or Oct. 4 & 8 are the current options.
The WWE Draft is something fans have been eagerly awaiting as the company is in dire need of a roster reshuffle. Some rumors have suggested that major changes are in store for the Draft, and big names such as former IC Champion Big E and former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre might be getting new homes once the Draft concludes.
Which RAW Superstars would you like to see join SmackDown, and vice versa? Let us know in the comments section below.
#1 Former WWE Superstar Murphy on why he enjoyed working in 205 Live
Former WWE superstar Murphy spoke to Chris Van Vliet and talked about his time in the promotion before getting released. The former Cruiserweight Champion revealed how much he enjoyed working as part of the 205 Live show. He had become the top champion on the brand and even wrestled at WrestleMania.
However, his career did not pick up when he reached the main roster. The Best Kept Secret languished on the main roster until he accidentally appeared in a backstage shot in a storyline featuring Roman Reigns.
''I win the (cruiserweight) title, do some great stuff, go to WrestleMania, lose it, and then I get drafted to SmackDown. I’m like this is it! But then I don’t do anything for 4 to 5 months. Then I just so happen to accidentally be in the background of a Roman shot, which gave me a spotlight and had the internet talking. When the internet talks they [WWE] can shy away from it,'' said Murphy.
Murphy was in the midst of a major push on Smackdown after he turned on Seth Rollins to join hands with the Mysterio family. However, WWE put an end to his push and released him a few months later.
