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Welcome to our weekly edition of WWE News Roundup. There’s a lot that happened in and around the promotion since the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Between releases and returns, we came across a lot of interesting developments that could prove to be impactful in the future. Other than that, a few events transpired in the time frame and started conversations across all forums.
In this article, we will take a look at the news stories that ruled the WWE headlines over the last few days.
#10 Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman struggled with handcuffs at WWE Royal Rumble
At the 2021 Royal Rumble pay-per-view, Roman Reigns successfully defended his WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens in a Last Man Standing match. While their battle was brutal, its ending was prolonged because Reigns and Paul Heyman struggled to unlock the handcuffs. Towards the end of the match, Reigns was handcuffed to a backstage steel structure.
The referee started to count but was pulled by the Champion right before he could finish doing the same. He then hit Owens with a low blow and a second referee came out. This time the WWE match official started counting again, but he had to stop awkwardly because Reigns and Heyman couldn’t get their way around the handcuffs.
Reigns was immediately prompted to get into a squatting position so that the referee’s actions don’t seem awkward. The WWE commentators then started talking about how this was the reason why the count had to start again and shifted the attention towards Owens while Heyman worked frantically to help Roman Reigns get back on his feet.
#9 Peyton Royce calls out WWE fan for stepping over the line
In one of her recent social media posts, WWE Superstar Peyton Royce sent a firm reminder to the fans to refrain from sending mails to her personal address. The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion recently received a package at her home and was not happy about the incident.
She said that digging out personal details of WWE Superstars is comparable to stalking and urged her fans to use the WWE Performance Center’s address for sending mails.
Recently, Sonya Deville was subjected to an uncomfortable and threatening situation when a stalker entered her house. The Superstars can’t be blamed for being careful about the same and Peyton Royce had to remind her followers to refrain from stepping over the line.
#8 Lars Sullivan reacts to his release from WWE
WWE recently confirmed the release of Lars Sullivan from the company. Fightful reached out to him for his response and the former WWE Superstar obliged. He revealed that the promotion treated him with ‘compassion and honesty’. It was also confirmed that he lost his father last year, which contributed to his personal battles.
Sullivan struggled with anxiety and felt that it was getting the better of him. He then approached WWE and told them that he couldn’t wrestle anymore. Sullivan believes that he is his own enemy. He feels that his wrestling career is over and is grateful that WWE granted him his release.
#7 Eric Bischoff reveals why he was released from WWE
WWE veteran Eric Bischoff recently discussed why he was released from the company. Back in 2019, Bischoff was working as the Executive Director of WWE SmackDown, but he was soon relieved of his responsibilities by Vince McMahon. Bischoff stated that he agreed with the latter’s decision, and he was struggling to keep up with the pace.
Eric Bischoff insisted that the chemistry between him and WWE’s creative team was not that great. He felt that he needed a more comfortable environment where everyone gets along and collaborates well to create an interesting product.
#6 ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin reacts to The Undertaker’s comments about present-day WWE
The Undertaker recently sparked a lot of controversies when he called the current WWE product ‘soft’. While it did not look like The Undertaker was criticizing the performers, his choice of words did not sit well with some people in the wrestling community. Recently, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin addressed Undertaker’s comments and sided with The Deadman.
Austin insisted that the WWE Superstars today are indeed better athletes. However, he added that he liked the grittier product from back in the day and believed that it was the reason why he thrived. He further stated that the product was a lot more protected when he and The Undertaker were ruling during the Attitude Era.
"You’re spot on in saying that today is a different era. It’s a more athletic product, the guys and girls are better athletes than we were. Growing up, I was a big fan of promotions such as NWA, Mid South, and WCCW as well, and during the Attitude Era, we really pushed the envelope creatively. I just think the business was a lot more protected back then, and it was a grittier product, which is what I thrive on."
#5 WWE Superstar Randy Orton wants to appear on the Broken Skull Sessions
Randy Orton recently took his social media to address WWE legend ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. He expressed his desire to appear on Austin’s show on WWE Network, Broken Skull Sessions in his peculiar fashion.
Steve Austin was quick to respond, and he urged Randy Orton to remain patient. Judging by The Viper’s eagerness to join the WWE veteran for the talk show, we are sure that it will happen sooner than later. Given how both these Superstars have known each other for a long time in WWE, a meeting between them will make for an interesting episode.
#4 WWE official discusses a drawback with Brock Lesnar’s F5
WWE official Mike Chioda was recently asked if he preferred a high-impact finisher or a low-impact one. Chioda stated that he is fond of impactful moves and discussed the F5 in particular. He insisted that the move looks great on Superstars who are small in size. However, this Brock Lesnar finish has its limitations when someone like The Undertaker or Kane are on the receiving end.
"Yeah, I mean, the F5 move is definitely an impactful move. It depends on who he is going to hit it on. Brock used to hit it on like if he hit it on The Undertaker or Kane, or big guys like that, it didn't look so, it didn't look like a very impact move. No disrespect to Brock Lesnar, no whatsoever, but I thought, but when he did it to a smaller guy, it looked like it would crush them. And it depends on how the other guy would take the bump off of a finisher, but I was more of a high impact guy."
#3 Booker T wants Carlito to join The Hurt Business on WWE RAW
At Royal Rumble 2021, Carlito returned to WWE, and he looked stronger than ever. Following the pay-per-view, Booker T discussed Carlito’s return and talked about what the creative team can do with the veteran of the business. Booker T suggested that Carlito should join MVP’s Hurt Business on WWE RAW.
The Hurt Business has enjoyed a lot of success on RAW. Despite the slight conflict teased between Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin, the group is as powerful as it can get. While Carlito’s addition to the stable would make for an interesting decision, it entirely depends on how long he is planning to stay in WWE.
#2 Corey Graves accidentally pranked Bayley during WWE Royal Rumble 2021
As a part of her hilarious antics, Bayley got WWE commentator Michal Cole’s surname shaved into the back her head. As it turns out, it was Corey Graves’ idea, and they both thought that it would be funny if Bayley showed that to Cole during the Women’s Royal Rumble match. Unfortunately for Bayley, Michael Cole did not call the action during that match, and yet, Bayley had to spend the day with his name written at the back of her head.
"She actually suggested the name Cole. I go, 'Yeah, I think it's a great idea. I think it's gonna be really funny, I think it's gonna be downright hysterical. I can't wait to see his face when he realizes what you did.' About three hours later, I get a text from Cole that is a photo with him and Bayley, and a reminder that Cole was not calling the Women's Royal Rumble match."
#1 WWE veteran Kane praises Damian Priest
Kane made a brief appearance during WWE Royal Rumble in he competed in the men’s match. The Big Red Machine was eliminated from the Royal Rumble bout by Damian Priest. The NXT graduate is now a part of the WWE RAW roster, and Kane used a backstage interview segment to put over the new talent.
Kane stated that Damian Priest has a lot of potential. He admitted that he was not happy about being eliminated from the match so early but he seemed confident about Priest emerging as an ‘impactful performer’ in WWE.
