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Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring the biggest rumors and stories for you. With the Money in the Bank PPV just days away, WWE is doing their best to generate buzz around the show.
One of the ways to do that is the major return of a former WWE Champion. Apart from that, we will also take a look at what the future holds for a recently released WWE Superstar who was also a former IC Champion, and Vince McMahon wanting to give a major push to an upcoming Superstar.
So without further ado, let us take a look at some of the big stories of today:
#5 How John Cena was responsible for ending Tensai's push
Matt Bloom, better known as Prince Albert or A-Train, was not only a major WWE Superstar but he has also been instrumental in NXT over the past few years.
Bloom had made his return to WWE after a gap of eight years in 2012 when he was repackaged as Lord Tensai - thanks to his time spent in Japan.
However, unfortunately for Bloom, his push did not last very long as a win in a match against John Cena would lead to WWE scrapping his winning streak due to an unfavorable audience reaction.
Here is what Arn Anderson revealed on his podcast:
That was another one of those deals where, ‘Okay, let’s change his look completely, change his name,’ and all that stuff. He had one week, they [fans] weren’t clamoring and coming out the ceiling for him. Second week… ‘Okay, your three-week run [ending with the John Cena match] is up.’ So you couldn’t expect anything from that. He’s another victim of one of those.” (H/T: SportsKeeda)
It wasn't long after that John Cena got his revenge and defeated Tensai leading to Tensai turning into an enhancement talent and comedy act soon after.
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#4 Vince McMahon wants a major push for upcoming RAW Superstar
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is known to favor certain Superstars who he feels have the potential to be breakout stars. Something similar could be in the works for RAW newcomer Brendan Vink, who along with his tag team partner Shane Thorne, has been feuding with Ricochet and Cedric Alexander over the past few weeks.
The Australian Superstar even managed to pick up a win against the team of Cedric Alexander and Ricochet on RAW this week. As per PWInsider, there are plans for a long-term push for Vink in the coming time.
They also said that Vince McMahon sees him the same way he did Braun Strowman during his stint with the Wyatt family:
One person described it to me that it was kinda like when Braun Strowman was part of the Wyatt Family when Vince McMahon saw him as a long-term project to build for the future. That’s kinda where they are with Brendan Vink to build him as a long-term project. (H/T:WrestlingNews)
While it may be a bit too early to predict if Vink has what it takes to become a top star, there is certainly no denying that he fits the conventional look preferred by Vince McMahon.
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#3 Zack Ryder says he was the 'cockroach' of WWE
Former United States Champion Zack Ryder was one of the multiple Superstars who were released by the company owing to COVID-19 induced budget cuts. Zack Ryder was a guest on Chris Van Vliet's podcast and spoke about a variety of topics, including why he felt like the 'cockroach' of WWE.
They put out the new program and Hawkins and I weren't in it. Oh No! We're going to get fired. But I always seem to..I call myself the cockroach of WWE. I always seem to survive everything, you know? All those cuts...I always made it, except for this time." (H/T: SportsKeeda)
Zack Ryder also spoke about what the future may hold for him. The former IC Champion stated that he wants to work in Japan.
In another recent interview with Busted Open Radio, Ryder had admitted that he is actually 'relieved' to be released by the company because he was contemplating what his next move would be once his contract expired in August.
I had been dealing with contract negotiations for over a year and the anxiety I had about it – Do I stay? Do I go? Do I stay? Do I go? It was really eating me up
Get the full list of WWE Events affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
#2 Reason why The Forgotten Sons got called up to SmackDown
Jimmy Uso reportedly suffered a knee injury while performing at WrestleMania 36. Jimmy Uso had represented The Usos in the Triple Threat ladder match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
As per reports, the reason WWE called up The Forgotten Sons from NXT was due to Jimmy Uso's injury which has resulted in The Usos being out from the SmackDown tag team division for now.
Here is what Cagesideseats (via WOR) had to say:
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer also said Forgotten Sons call up happened because of Jimmy Uso’s injury.
The Usos are former SmackDown Tag Team Champions themselves and their absence from the division would lead to a major vacuum in the tag division on the Blue brand.
The Forgotten Sons consist of Wesley Blake, Steve Cutler, and Jaxson Ryker who had failed to make much of an impact on NXT. However, there have been many NXT Superstars who were not successful in NXT but managed to shine on the main roster.
With The Forgotten Sons getting a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Championships at MITB, they might be in line for a big push on SmackDown.
#1 Reason why AJ Styles has returned so soon
AJ Styles had been missing from action ever since he lost to The Undertaker in the first-ever Boneyard match at WrestleMania 36. The ending of the match saw The Undertaker ride off on his motorcycle after having buried The Phenomenal One alive.
Though some reports speculated that AJ Styles may be repackaged before his return, it looks like the company has brought back AJ Styles sooner than expected due to poor RAW ratings. Here is what Dave Meltzer reported on SNME podcast (via B/R)
Per WrestlingObserver.com's Dave Meltzer on the Sunday Night's Main Event podcast, Styles was originally planned to be off television longer following the Boneyard match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania, but WWE wanted him back to lift up declining television ratings.
AJ Styles made a major splash upon his return, securing his place in the MITB contract 'corporate' Ladder Match at the Money in the Bank PPV this Sunday. With the all six contestants of the match now finalized, it will be interesting to see who walks out of MITB with the briefcase in his hand.
