WWE News & Rumor Roundup: Top star released without 'non-compete', reason for popular name's unexplained absence, Seth Rollins' heartwarming message to Baron Corbin (21 December 2021)

Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE News and Rumor Roundup. Today's edition will take a look at what Seth Rollins told a heel superstar backstage, why a legendary superstar says that he will not return to WWE, and much more.

This edition will take a look at some interesting stories related to big names like Kurt Angle, Happy Corbin and Otis. A legendary veteran also shared some interesting ideas for a new on-screen romantic pairing.

So without any further ado, here are some news and rumors from the world of WWE:

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#5 Kurt Angle did not serve a 'non-compete' clause after his WWE release in 2006

Former WWE Champion Kurt Angle revealed on The Kurt Angle Show that he was not asked to serve a 90-day non-compete clause when he was released in 2006.

It is commonplace for all released talent to serve a non-compete after they are let go. This means that they can not sign with any other company for 90 days after being released.

Angle said that he was free to go wherever he wanted on the very day that he signed his release papers. He was grateful as he really wanted to take a break and stay away from wrestling for some time.

''I was free to go that day I signed (the release), with no strings attached. Vince McMahon released me that day and I was free to do whatever I wanted. You know I was very grateful for that because not that I was planning on going anywhere else when I signed the release, I just wanted to get out and wanted a break,'' said Angle.

After being let go by WWE, the Olympic Gold Medalist joined TNA and stayed with the company for a long time before returning to WWE when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

#4 Seth Rollins' backstage praise for WWE Superstar Baron Corbin

WWE Superstar Happy Corbin recently made an appearance on FOX's Out of Character podcast. He talked about working as a heel and how multiple wrestlers have praised and thanked him for doing his job well over the years.

The former MITB winner mentioned Matt Hardy and Seth Rollins as two WWE Superstars who helped encourage him and motivated him to do his work. Hardy once thanked him backstage once for his outstanding heel work.

''Seth Rollins has done the same thing and told me, ‘You work really hard to be a bad guy and it makes my job easier’ and like so when you get that appreciation, especially from guys you’re working with on a regular basis then that’s the adoration, the gratitude that I appreciate so all the other stuff is just noise," said Corbin.

Baron Corbin is currently one of the biggest heels on SmackDown and is feuding with Drew McIntyre. His associate Madcap Moss will face the Scottish star at Day 1.

#3 Reason for WWE Superstar Mustafa Ali's absence

WWE Superstar Mustafa Ali has been absent for weeks. He was granted paternity leave ahead of Survivor Series but hasn't been called back despite being ready to return.

What was even more surprising was that WWE recently taped two episodes of SmackDown in Chicago. Ali hails from the Second City and there was confusion as to why the company would not use him in his own hometown.

As per Fightful Select, the reason Ali has not been brought back despite him being ready is that creative has no direction for him currently. Here is what Matt Black of SportsKeeda stated:

''According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, he wasn't even present at the arena when the SmackDown shows were taped. Sadly, it appears that WWE did not have anything planned creatively for Mustafa Ali's return to his hometown of Chicago.''

Ali is one of the most talented talkers in WWE and hopefully the company will soon find a role that fits the former 205 Live superstar well.

#2 Could Doudrop have an on-screen pairing with Otis in WWE?

Both Doudrop and Otis have been presented as wrecking machines on WWE RAW. The two powerhouses have been dominant during their current runs. Legendary journalist Bill Apter believes that an on-screen pairing of Doudrop and Otis could do wonders.

Speaking to Vince Russo and Dr. Chris Featherstone on SportsKeeda's Legion of RAW, Apter discussed the possibility of a romantic angle featuring Doudrop and Otis:

"To me, Doudrop would be one of the best fan-favorite jolly girls that ever came to WWE. She has got a terrific personality. The fans could adore her and love her, and she should be a friend of Bianca Belair against all the evil girls they have. And I would take another person who is on the show, who we'd talk about later. I would take Otis and make Otis her boyfriend. They could be the cutest couple in the entire world."

Doudrop currently potrays a villainous character on RAW. Reports suggest she has essentially replaced Nia Jax, which is why WWE scrapped her bubbly character and made her a heel almost suddenly.

#1 Reason D-Von Dudley will not return to WWE

D-Von Dudley has stated that even though he wants to get back in the ring, he doesn't see it happening in WWE. At the age of 49, he believes Vince McMahon will perceive him as too old for active in-ring action.

Speaking on the Table Talk podcast, Dudley said he wants to get in the ring with his twins, Terrell Hughes and Terrence Hughes, who seem to be ready for the big time. The two have been making a name for themselves on the Indy Circuit but are yet to land a major deal.

"I think at 49 years of age, you know, Vince McMahon’s philosophy is that I’m too old to be back in that ring, nor does he want to see me in there... If I was gonna come back and risk my back, it would be with my boys. I would definitely do that with them but, I just don’t see it happening on a WWE level,'' said Dudley.

The WWE Hall of Famer further stated that given his age, Vince McMahon would not want to put him in an on-screen role.