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Welcome to today's edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup, where we take a look at the top stories of the day. This past week has been one of the biggest in recent history for pro-wrestling fans, and the foreseeable future looks promising.
WWE are working on storylines after SummerSlam and there have been many rumors after we saw several title changes in the past week. We have also have backstage talks on last-minute changes at the pay-per-view and why the TV Networks are reportedly unhappy with WWE.
Without further ado, here are today's top WWE rumors:
Original plans for WWE SummerSlam scrapped
Becky Lynch returned at SummerSlam, took out Carmella before beating Bianca Belair in a squash match. The Man walked out of the pay-per-view as the new WWE SmackDown Women's Champion and stunned the WWE Universe.
However, reports now suggest WWE had no plans for Becky Lynch to win the title at SummerSlam. They claim she was supposed to be at the pay-per-view and appear in front of the live crowd, but the title change happened because of Sasha Banks' unavailability.
According to Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Pro Wrestling podcast, WWE had to switch things up quickly and thus decided to go ahead with Becky picking up the win in a quick fashion. He said:
“I was told this was not gonna be the ending, obviously," said Andrew Zarian. "She was gonna show up on this card. Becky Lynch was always gonna come out for this live crowd. That was not something that was last minute. The title change was the difference, that was something new. That was not planned…that was an adjustment, they made it and we’ll see where it goes on Friday.” (H/T WrestlingNews.co)
Becky Lynch is now expected to go into a feud with Bianca Belair and we will have to wait and see how WWE uses Sasha Banks upon her return.
Backstage news on Brock Lesnar's new WWE contract
Brock Lesnar is back in WWE and has his eyes set on Roman Reigns. The Beast Incarnate made his return at SummerSlam after speculation of him signing with another company.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select now has details on Brock Lesnar's new contract. He reports the former WWE Champion is back on a 1.5-year deal, seeing him be a part of at least eight matches.
Roman Reigns came face to face with Brock Lesnar in the ring at the end of SummerSlam but walked away with Paul Heyman within seconds. The Universal Champion appeared on WWE's The Bump and shared his thoughts on the return:
"I think he wanted to get the best look possible on what's going on here, the most dominant Universal Champion to ever do this thing." Reigns said. "I think he sees the island of relevancy just like John Cena did. He's just coming with a farmer, butcher outlook opposed to being the Hollywood guy. But yeah, it just goes to show all this work, this foundation of greatness that I've been laying down. What the Bloodline has been doing is continually showing that we're number one. They wanna talk about it and it's really just to put themselves in the conversation with me to amplify everything."
With Brock Lesnar back, it would be interesting to see what Paul Heyman does.
Roman Reigns influenced Becky Lynch's heel turn in WWE?
Becky Lynch returned as a heel at WWE SummerSlam, and Dave Meltzer claims Roman Reigns influenced her decision. He added that the WWE Universal Champion's heel run has made things look 'fun' for The Man, and she decided to give it a try.
In this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported:
"Lynch had asked to return as a heel. Some have said in the company she was inspired by Reigns, and the reality is to many, being a heel is more fun. Of course, the last time she tried to go heel, she became the most popular wrestler in the company and the hottest woman wrestling star the company had ever had. Maybe it's just a personal challenge, because from a business standpoint the move makes zero sense.", said Meltzer.
Becky Lynch is reportedly set to be involved in a feud with Bianca Belair on SmackDown. The Man was scheduled to return at SummerSlam but was not originally penciled in to win the WWE SmackDown Women's Title.
TV Networks unhappy with WWE
WWE TV ratings have not been at their best lately, but that is not why TV Networks are unhappy. FOX, NBC, and USA Network are reportedly unhappy with two different reasons with the company.
Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Pro Wrestling podcast has reported that NBC and USA Network are unhappy because the SmackDown roster is stacked. The blue brand already boasts the likes of Roman Reigns, Edge, Seth Rollins, among others, and has now gotten better with the return of Becky Lynch and Brock Lesnar. He said:
“There’s a little bit of an issue with NBC and the USA guys and the fact that this SmackDown roster is really stacked now."
Dave Meltzer noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that FOX are unhappy with WWE because of CM Punk. They reportedly want the company to make a good offer and sign the former superstar instead of letting him move to AEW.
CM Punk made his return to pro-wrestling last weekend at AEW Rampage and was on AEW Dynamite this week.
Bray Wyatt's future after WWE release
Bray Wyatt's future has been in question ever since his release from WWE. The former Universal Champion is a free agent right now, and reports suggest he will be making his return to the ring soon.
On Sunday Night's Main Event, Dave Meltzer claimed Impact Wrestling were keen on signing Bray Wyatt. He added that AEW also believe they will be able to land him this summer.
IMPACT and AEW have a working relationship, and it would not be a surprise if Bray Wyatt signs a deal that lets him work for both companies. A return to WWE is all but ruled out right now, as reports suggest he 'butted heads' with Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn before the company released him. Here is what Cageside seats reported:
On The Ringer Wrestling Show, former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr. wouldn’t reveal everything he knows from friends backstage but did indicate Bray Wyatt butted heads creatively with Vince McMahon & Kevin Dunn before his release because Wyatt “wasn’t playing ball.”
Bray Wyatt was reportedly expected to make his in-ring return this month but was released by WWE instead.
