WWE News & Rumor Roundup – 5-time champion 'heavily considering' AEW, Original retirement plans for Big E, Star might not be at WrestleMania 38 (December 24th, 2021)

#4. WWE Champion Big E reveals original retirement plans

Big E is currently having the best phase of his career as WWE Champion, but the superstar would've missed the moment if he stuck to his original retirement plans.

During a recent interview with The Sun, Big E revealed that he initially wanted to end his career at the age of 35. The RAW star felt his body wouldn't hold up in the wrestling business and had chalked up plans to conclude his in-ring career early:

"I was talking to one of our refs, Rod Zapata, and I've known him since I got to FCW, so I've known him for 12 years. We've talked about how I'd spoken about getting out at 35, but I think, in many ways, a lot of wrestlers' primes are like 35, 40. We're seeing Bobby Lashley now having his best run in his mid-40s."

Big E is now 35 and desires to wrestle for a few more years as he feels excellent physically:

"I've got a few more years left in me. I don't really know when that time will be but, when you're 23, 35 feels like it's ages from now and that you'll be an old man and beat up. So 35 felt like, at the time, a good time to get out, and I don't want to overstay my welcome."

The former WWE Tag Team Champion also addressed the possibility of becoming a manager after his in-ring stint. Big E said he'd be open to any role in the future as he wants to stay close to professional wrestling and the WWE:

"It's an incredible business and I'd love to find some way to stay involved, but maybe life takes me in another direction. I just want to be open to everything."

Big E is slated to defend his title against three other superstars at the WWE Day 1 pay-per-view and will walk into the event as the odds-on favorite.

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#3. Booker T on why The Undertaker might not wrestle at WrestleMania 38

The Undertaker seemingly announced his retirement at Survivor Series 2020, but fans still expect to see The Deadman wrestle another match or two.

Booker T, however, revealed on his podcast that he doesn't see The Undertaker returning for a match at WWE WrestleMania 38. The WWE Hall of Famer said that while The Phenom could still deliver a few more bouts, it'd be too soon for him to make an in-ring comeback.

Booker T explained that even if The Undertaker decides to lace up his wrestling boots again, the return match won't feel special and would fail to invoke some nostalgia amongst WWE fans:

"Honestly, I don't think we're going to see The Undertaker in-ring at WrestleMania 38. The thing is, can The Undertaker come back and have one more match? I'm sure he could. That's what wrestlers do, whether they can do it or not, it's almost, like, 'Okay, there's the ring right there, just push me, and I'll do the rest.' (laughs) That's the way wrestlers are. Can The Undertaker go out there and do another match? Yes, I think he could. But I think for the nostalgia of The Undertaker, it's too early to see him in the ring and really get the bang for our buck. If he came back and did it now, I don't think we'll get that same feeling."

The Undertaker's last WWE match was against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36, where the two veterans battled in a memorable cinematic contest.

The Boneyard Match would be a fitting way to end The Undertaker's career, but could we still hope to see the 56-year-old legend in a proper wrestling match for the last time?