WWE News & Rumor Roundup: Hall of Famer confirms in-ring return; Big E punished at Day 1 for objecting to lose? Ric Flair insults top female star - 4th January 2022

Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE News and Rumor Roundup, where we try and bring the biggest news stories and rumors from the world of WWE. With Day 1 in the rear-view mirror, WWE has set its eyes on Royal Rumble. A dream match between Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley at the show has been announced.

We will take a look at what is next for Brock Lesnar. We will also take a look at Ric Flair taking a shot at a top name. Many fans and critics have not been happy with Lesnar winning the WWE title at Day 1. We will take an in-depth look into what might have transpired before his win, and more.

So without any further ado, let us dive in and take a look at some big updates and stories related to WWE:

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#5 WWE legend Booker T set to make in-ring return

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T is set to make his in-ring return for his promotion Reality Of Wrestling. The former WCW world champion will team up with Gaspar Hernandez to take on Garza and Dexx. The match will take place at Canton, Texas, on January 22, 2022.

Booker T last wrestled in 2020 in a multi-man tag team match. The former world champion has kept busy with his own promotion and the Hall of Fame podcast over the years but continues to make appearances in WWE as well. He praised his protege Hernandez and said that he could one day be a mega star:

"This kid, he's a star on the rise. He's a diamond in the rough. We are going to polish him Harlem Heat style, teach him what it means to go out there and just beat the hell out of somebody, no frills. We ain't gonna go there and think about no 'spots', somebody jumping off something. Bring the pain, bring the pain, that's what we're going to be teaching this kid," said Booker T.

Booker T has kept himself in ring-ready shape and we hope that his return match is a spectacular one.

#4 Did Big E have an issue with losing the WWE Championship to Brock Lesnar?

Former WWE writer Vince Russo claims that Big E would have had a major issue with the company after being asked to drop the title to Brock Lesnar at Day1. Lesnar was originally set to face Roman Reigns at the show. However, due to Reigns contracting COVID-19, the match had to be nixed.

The Beast Incarnate was added to the Fatal 4-way match for the WWE Championship instead, and ended up winning the match by pinning Big E. Russo said on SportsKeeda's Legion of RAW that Big E '100%' complained about it:

"Bro, I guarantee you 100%. This is how it went down. I guarantee you they put Lesnar in the match. They said that Lesnar was going over. I guarantee you, bro, Big E had an issue with that, a problem, and brought it up. So guess what, let us discuss this, Big E leaves the room; you know what the discussion is? Beat Big E! I'm telling you, bro,'' said Russo

Russo then added that having Big E lose the match even though someone else could've been pinned by Brock Lesnar is a sign that he was punished by WWE for objecting to losing to Brock Lesnar.

#3 WWE legend Ric Flair takes a shot at Becky Lynch again

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair and Becky Lynch have been at odds with one another for a long time. One of their contentions is the term 'The Man', as both parties claim that the monicker belongs to them.

The RAW Women's Champion recently posted a photo with the music group Migos and the caption said "Big Time Drip''. The Nature Boy Ric Flair wasn't a fan of the photo and took a big swing at Becky Lynch yet again.

"The Mood Is Night & Day! One’s Real & One’s Make Believe! She’s Big Time, But There’s No Drip, And There Never Will Be! And I Thought She Was THE MAN, But I Guess Not Because They Don’t Own It! HA! When Are You Going To Give Up@BeckyLynchWWE? You’re So Far Behind! WOOOOO!" tweeted Flair.

It has to be noted that ever since Flair started causing a big ruckus about Becky Lynch using 'The Man' monicker, WWE has tried to push 'Big Time Becks' as her new monicker instead.

#2 Bully Ray wasn't happy with WWE's booking of Big E at Day 1

Speaking of Big E's WWE Championship loss at Day 1, Bully Ray expressed his unhappiness over how the Powerhouse of Positivity lost the title at Day 1.

The WWE Hall of Famer stated on Busted Open that he understands that Lesnar is the biggest name in the company but the champion deserved more respect in the match:

''That's something that really pis*ed me off when I saw it. I understand that Brock Lesnar is the biggest star in that match; you can make an argument that Brock Lesnar is the biggest star in WWE right now. This is the man who defeated The Undertaker, ended The Streak, a five-time - up until the other night - world champion, a guy who does what he wants, when he wants... but he was not your WWE Champion. Big E was," said Bully Ray.

As reported previously as well, there are rumors that Brock Lesnar will be facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. It is not known at this point if he will lose the WWE Championship or if it will be a champion vs champion match at the Show of Shows.

#1 Is WWE Champion Brock Lesnar a RAW superstar?

WWE champion Brock Lesnar made an appearance on RAW this week but maintained that he is a free agent. He will be appearing at SmackDown this week as well. As noted, the plan is still for him to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. The Beast Incarnate will first have to face Bobby Lashley at the Royal Rumble this month.

PWInsider has noted that even though Lesnar is being referred to as a free agent, he is listed as part of the internal RAW roster.

Even on RAW this week, The Beast Incarnate had a message for Roman Reigns. Lesnar wished Reigns a speedy recovery and called himself the 'real' champion of WWE.

“Before we get this party started, I would like to give a shout out to my good buddy Roman Reigns. He's probably sitting at home, more likely tuned in to Monday Night RAW, tuned in to the new WWE Heavyweight Champion, the real champion, Brock Lesnar. Get well soon buddy!” said Brock Lesnar.

With Paul Heyman joining Brock Lesnar again, their encounter on SmackDown will be interesting.