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Welcome to the post-Backlash edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup. The PPV is in the books and the biggest story being talked about right now is about Edge's reported unfortunate injury, which was known even before the PPV went on air.
We have more details regarding his reported injury and how it could possibly lead to a SummerSlam match getting nixed.
Elsewhere, the finish of a Backlash match was reportedly changed hours before the show, and there could be a big reason behind the move. There is also a report about WWE possibly buying another promotion.
Drew McIntyre also reacted to Paul Heyman's ouster as the Executive Director of RAW and revealed when was the last time he'd interacted with Brock Lesnar's manager.
Finally, there has been talk about another big change coming with regards to the brand split.
Before we jump right into the latest WWE Rumor Roundup, let's recollect last week's biggest news and rumors from the world of pro-wrestling!
#5. Edge reportedly suffers injury during Backlash match against Randy Orton, SummerSlam match in jeopardy
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful broke the news of Edge suffering a torn triceps injury, and the report was later confirmed by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer.
Edge reportedly suffered the injury while taping the match on June 7th and various sources in the company have validated the report. WWE tried to stay quiet until the match happened, but the news was public knowledge after it was reported on Fightful Select.
The torn triceps injury takes around eight months of recovery time after surgery, and it could mean that the Rated-R Superstar could miss out on a SummerSlam appearance.
WWE's original plan for SummerSlam
Sportskeeda's Gary Cassidy had reported earlier that the original plan was to have Edge vs. Randy Orton at SummerSlam, but the match was pushed forward due to the lack of star power for Backlash.
Paul Davis of WrestlingNews.co noted that there had been talk of having Orton and Edge have one final match at WWE SummerSlam, however, that match may now be off the table.
As of this writing, it's not confirmed whether Edge would require surgery, but the minimum timeline for recovery is said to be four months.
We may have possibly seen the last of Edge in 2020, and that's highly unfortunate.
#4. Finish of the RAW Women's Championship match at Backlash was reportedly changed hours before the show
Asuka defended the RAW Women's Championship against Nia Jax at the Backlash PPV, and their title match ended in an underwhelming double count-out.
It was revealed by Bryan Alvarez following the match that the original plan was to have Asuka win the match by pinning Nia Jax. It was noted that the decision to change the finish was decided on the day of the show.
Alvarez noted:
"The impression that I've been given…I believe that the original finish was Asuka was gonna pin Nia, and for whatever reason, they decided I guess on the day of the show to do a double count-out instead." H/t Credit: WrestlingNews
As revealed in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE wanted Charlotte Flair to be Asuka's next title challenger and the plan was for the Empress of Tomorrow to look strong heading into a feud against The Queen. A win over Nia Jax would have achieved that purpose. However, the plan was changed hours before the show.
The new plan could be to have Nia Jax and Asuka battle it out at Extreme Rules before Flair comes into the picture to build up a title match for SummerSlam.
#3. WWE could reportedly purchase Evolve
WWE and Evolve have had a fruitful partnership since 2015 as Vince McMahon's company has since looked at the Philadelphia-based promotion for scouting potential talents. Evolve's 10th Anniversary show was also streamed on the WWE Network.
The pandemic and its impact on the professional wrestling business has negatively affected Evolve, who are going through major financial issues, as reported by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The cancelation of WrestleMania week was termed as 'catastrophic' for the Gabe Sapolsky-led promotion. There are now rumors that Evolve could be looking to sell their tape library and 'pretty much everything' to the WWE.
People in the WWE and Evolve could neither confirm nor deny the report.
Meltzer revealed:
There has been a lot of talk in recent weeks regarding the future of Evolve and WWE. It's not a secret Evolve had major financial issues and the canceling of WrestleMania week was catastrophic to them. They've been quiet, having not said anything. There were reports of them selling their tape library and pretty much everything to WWE but when asked, neither Evolve nor WWE would confirm or deny the story
#2. Drew McIntyre comments on Paul Heyman's removal from the RAW Creative Team
During a recent interview with TV Insider, Drew McIntyre was asked about WWE removing Paul Heyman from the Executive Director's position on RAW. The WWE Champion admitted that he didn't know much about the creative team and the way they worked. He just used to get his creative plans and would go on to do his job.
The Scottish Psychopath said that the last time he'd interacted with Heyman was before he beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36.
I don't know the ins and outs regarding creative. I get my creative and go from there. I figure out best what works for Drew McIntyre and the storyline. Regarding Paul Heyman the character, that is very interesting for myself. The last time we interacted was going into WrestleMania against Brock Lesnar before I defeated him in five minutes in the main event. There may be things to happen down the line. Brock is lurking in the shadows. If he wants to get beat in three and 23 seconds this time.
McIntyre also teased the possibility of Heyman managing different Superstars before praising the Beast Incarnate's advocate for being a genius on the microphone. McIntyre hoped to see Heyman soon enough.
Or perhaps Paul Heyman has his eyes on other superstars he wants to bring to Drew McIntyre. Either way, I always enjoy a little joke with Paul Heyman on the microphone. There is nobody better than him. It forces you to up your game. Hopefully, we'll be seeing him soon enough.
#1. RAW and SmackDown to reportedly be combined into 'one troupe'?
The removal of Paul Heyman from the RAW Executive Director's position and the consolidation of the RAW and SmackDown's creative teams - which will be spearheaded by Bruce Prichard - has brought up the possibility of the Brand Split coming to an end,
Dave Meltzer stated on the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio that the idea of combining RAW and SmackDown into 'one troupe' has been talked about backstage.
WWE is currently experiencing an unprecedented dip in ratings due to the pandemic, and Vince McMahon was reportedly said to be unhappy with RAW's viewership figures.
WWE is historically known to pull the plug on the brand extension whenever the ratings go south, and that could potentially happen this time as well.
The merger of the creatives teams of the Red and Blue brands could be a hint at the end of the Brand Split as we know it.
Having the liberty to use top Superstars on both brands could give WWE the ratings boost they need. But such a plan is only in the discussion phase at the moment.
