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We are back with another edition of WWE News Roundup. The last few days have seen several backstage stories unfold, especially in light of the recent releases. There are also important updates on the creative team’s plans for the biggest WWE Superstars ahead of the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view. Lastly, we might have the answer to the pressing question: will Brock Lesnar return to WWE?
In this article, we will take a look at the top stories that dominated the WWE News headlines over the weekend.
#1 Roman Reigns to face Rey Mysterio at WWE Hell In A Cell 2021
Last week on WWE SmackDown, The Usos challenged Rey and Dominik Mysterio for the Tag Team Championships. They lost their first match due to the referee's negligence. As a result, they were given another opportunity, and The Usos came close to losing the second match. This led to Roman Reigns interfering in the main event as The Tribal Chief decided to brutalize both Rey and Dominik Mysterio.
He first took Rey Mysterio out of the equation and then continued manhandling Dominik. In fact, his assault was so brutal in nature that Jimmy Uso refused to be part of the same. This turn of events certainly won't sit with Rey Mysterio.
According to the latest backstage reports, WWE is planning a feud between Reigns and Mysterio ahead of the upcoming pay-per-view. Thus, we could see Rey Mysterio challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at Hell In A Cell.
It is important to note that all is still not well between Reigns and Jimmy. The latter has vehemently refused to acknowledge his cousin as 'The Head of the Table'. On the other hand, Reigns is irate because Jey and Jimmy Uso failed to win the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
Not to forget, Jey Uso is torn between supporting his brother or his cousin. It will be interesting to see how WWE will move ahead with this plan.
#2 WWE drops major hint about Brock Lesnar’s return
It's no secret that WWE has name-dropped Brock Lesnar multiple times this past week. Interestingly, it was done on RAW, where Bobby Lashley currently holds the WWE Championship. Fans must know that Lesnar was moved to the alumni section of WWE's webpage after his prolonged absence from the company.
However, he was recently moved to WWE RAW's roster page on the website. This led to several fans speculating about The Beast Incarnate's potential return on the Red brand. It is also exciting to note that few reports have pointed towards a plausible feud between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar, with Paul Heyman playing an instrumental role.
Lesnar has not appeared on WWE television since WrestleMania last year. His return could account for a huge surprise when the crowd comes back. It will be interesting to see whether he will pursue the WWE Championship or the Universal Championship upon his return.
#3 Reason why WWE released Aleister Black
Aleister Black was one of several WWE Superstars who were released by the company last week. His exit came as a shock to the WWE Universe as he had just returned on SmackDown. The viewers had high hopes for his feud with Big E, but he had to leave before anything could transpire between them.
According to Dave Meltzer of WON, Black was released because Vince McMahon couldn’t understand his style. He also suggested that there were issues with the WWE writing team.
''In the case of there were issues with the writing staff, but in the end, he and Murphy were both wrestlers where Vince McMahon was said to not understand their style of wrestling. There is no word on if these cuts will affect talks to bring his wife, Thea Trinidad Budgen, back, which was the idea last week,” said Dave Meltzer.
Following his release, Aleister Black went live on Twitch, where he was asked about his relationship with Vince McMahon. The former WWE Superstar stated that they shared a good, professional equation. However, Meltzer insisted that the WWE Chairman had issues with Black’s gimmick and made the final call to fire him.
#4 Reason why WWE released Braun Strowman, mistake proved costly for the former World Champion
WWE’s list of recent releases shockingly included Braun Strowman. He was recently involved in the WWE Championship feud alongside Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley on RAW. However, the latest reports suggest that the backstage perception of Strowman had changed drastically.
According to Dave Meltzer, WWE believes that he is past his prime and would not work anywhere else. He also pointed out that Strowman didn’t push for a 'no-cut' clause during his last contract negotiations that would protect top WWE Superstars from being released by the company.
''With Strowman (Adam Scherr, 37), who was on a $1.2 million guaranteed deal and had just a few weeks back denigrated all non-WWE wrestling and said he would never work anywhere else, the decision was made because of the feeling he was two years past his peak and he had become obsolete as the roster giant because of Omos on Raw, Commander Azeez on Smackdown, and perhaps Shanky on Raw, being on the main roster who were so much bigger than he is.”
“His salary worked against him and one person noted he made a huge mistake in negotiations because when he signed his new deal, he was considered a hot commodity and if he pushed for it, probably could have gotten a no-cut contract that a few of the bigger names have. But he didn’t push for it and he probably never imagined they’d decide to cut him after signing him to such a strong long-term deal,” stated Dave Meltzer.
Strowman had recently found his way into the WWE Championship picture. The creative team had teased a promising feud between himself and McIntyre before his abrupt release from WWE.
#5 WWE Superstars reportedly unhappy with Vince McMahon
Recent backstage reports claimed that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had instructed the entire roster to improve their skills at the Performance Center. He has insisted that the talent should sharpen their skills when they are not booked for a television appearance. This practice could start as early as this week as McMahon wants the superstars to remain prepared before the crowd returns for WWE events.
“PWInsider.com is told that the workouts could begin as early as next week with talents taking part in drills and perhaps even matches in order to make sure their ring work is sharper. This is believed to be a Vince McMahon edict. The workouts would take place on days talents aren’t booked for TV tapings.”
The latest reports by WON suggest that some WWE Superstars are not happy with Vince McMahon’s decision to send them back to the Performance Center. While those who live in Orlando are not particularly worried about the new routine, few WWE Superstars who live far away feel that this would hamper their routines.
#6 Booker T says former WWE Superstar Aleister Black didn’t set himself apart
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T shared a controversial opinion about Aleister Black, who was recently released by the company. He believes that Black couldn’t set himself apart from the rest of the WWE roster. Booker T had the following to say about Aleister Black’s work in WWE:
"You can't give a guy intro, give him a black gimmick, a dark robe, and go out there and become a star. You know, you put him on that thing (mimicks Aleister Black's entrance). The thing is, it did look cool. But understand, you just can't get that gimmick and think because of the smoke and mirrors, you're going to go out there and get over,” said Booker T.
“Aleister Black is a good worker, but I'm looking for (a) guy that's 'talent'. I'm looking for (a) guy that's going to go out and do things totally different than everybody else on the roster. Aleister Black had his MMA get-up, his kung fu, karate, Black Mass for the finisher. I get it. But, for me, Aleister Black was a guy that didn't set himself apart from the rest of the guys in the locker room," Booker T concluded.
Aleister Black had just returned on WWE television after a prolonged absence. We saw several vignettes that praised a darker version of his gimmick. He then returned on SmackDown and attacked Big E during the Intercontinental Championship match a few weeks ago.
The WWE Universe believed that this would lead to a huge feud between them until the news of his shocking release reached everyone. Many argued that Aleister Black would thrive in a place where writers book him well.
