WWE News & Rumor Roundup - Top stars not on talking terms, Big name wanted to be Brock Lesnar's 'little sister', Several members of Stephanie McMahon’s team released (November 12th, 2021)

Welcome back to another edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's daily WWE News & Rumor Roundup.

Two of the biggest superstars currently in the WWE are no longer on talking terms following their recent backstage altercation.

A legendary female wrestler also revealed that she pitched the idea of being Brock Lesnar's sister on WWE TV.

Did you know about the 'Triple H test'? Well, a popular SFX artist recently revealed the exciting process of making props for the WWE and opened up about the 'Triple H test.'

Stephanie McMahon also features in today's lineup of stories as backstage details of the recent releases affecting her team have also been revealed.

We also have more information regarding the recent WWE releases and how their vaccination status might have played a significant role in some departures.

On that note, let's take a look at each story in detail in the latest News & Rumor Roundup:

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#5 Becky Lynch says she is not on talking terms with Charlotte Flair in WWE

Becky Lynch addressed rumors regarding her backstage heat with Charlotte Flair during a recent interview with Sports Illustrated. The RAW Women's Champion revealed she had chosen not to speak to Flair following their backstage argument from SmackDown a few weeks back.

While Lynch didn't directly mention their altercation, The Man stated that the locker room needed a hero, and she had no problems stepping up to stand for what's right in the given situation.

Lynch had the following to say:

"I don't know, man," said Lynch. "We don't talk anymore. We don't talk. So all I'll say is the locker room needs a hero sometimes. And sometimes somebody's gotta be a hero. I'm all right being that hero. That's what I'll say on that matter."

Charlotte Flair also seemingly reacted to Becky Lynch's comments with the following tweet:

Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch will square off against each other in a Champion vs. Champion match at Survivor Series, and reports suggest that WWE could be planning a controversial angle featuring the two warring superstars.

#4 Beth Phoenix pitched an idea to WWE to become Brock Lesnar's on-screen sister

Beth Phoenix took to Twitter to reveal that she initially pitched the idea to WWE of becoming Brock Lesnar's little sister.

Here's what the WWE Hall of Famer tweeted out about the proposed storyline:

Fun Fact: At one of my first gigs as a @WWE extra I pitched a detailed storyline to Michael Hayes to be brought in as Brock Lesnar's sister. I had ZERO CHILL.

Beth Phoenix joined WWE's developmental system in 2004, which was incidentally the year when Brock Lesnar left WWE.

Phoenix is currently busy with her commentary duties on NXT, and she last appeared in the ring as part of the 2020 Women's Royal Rumble match. As for Brock Lesnar, the former Universal Champion is out of action due to a storyline suspension, but the Beast Incarnate has vowed to make a stunning return on an upcoming episode of SmackDown.

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#3 Several members of Stephanie McMahon's staff have been released from WWE

The recent budget cuts didn't just affect talent, as WWE made several releases behind the scenes.

In this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that most of the people from Stephanie McMahon's branding department had been let go.

One of the more surprising WWE exits is that of Laura Petrocelli, wife of veteran writer Ed Koskey and a respected figure backstage in WWE.

Meltzer also noted that WWE could soon merge the branding and marketing teams, which explains why WWE might have released almost every member of Stephanie McMahon's team.

Here's what was reported in the Newsletter:

"Most of Stephanie McMahon's staff in branding was let go, including Laura Petrocelli, who was said to be universally respected within the company and is the wife of longtime writer Ed Koskey. While not official, the belief seems to be with so many cuts in her department that the Branding department will merge into the Marketing department. This also seems to explain all the recent publicity pushes by WWE to promote Stephanie McMahon as the point person in marketing rather than as Chief Brand Officer," revealed Dave Meltzer.

Despite raking in impressive figures in the third financial quarter, WWE will reportedly continue to have budget cuts, and more talent releases are also expected to happen.

#2 WWE encouraged superstars to get vaccinated

The New York Post was the first to report a few weeks back that WWE released Nia Jax and a few other stars because they weren't vaccinated.

Dave Meltzer has revealed that WWE didn't directly tell talent that their jobs would be in jeopardy if they didn't get jabbed. However, people within WWE did encourage the wrestlers to get vaccinated.

"Regarding vaccinations and people being fired, while nobody was told that if they didn't get vaccinated that it would threaten their jobs, there were people very much encouraged to get vaccinated," reported Meltzer.

WWE reportedly told a top star who did not get vaccinated that they won't be too valuable to the company due to the inability to travel for overseas tours.

"One top wrestler who was not vaccinated was told that if you didn't get vaccinated you would be less valuable to the company due to not being able to go on overseas tours," added Meltzer.

It was revealed that by releasing many wrestlers, WWE sent a message to the entire roster about unvaccinated talent being at greater risk of getting the pink slip.

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#1 Artist explains the 'Triple H test' and process of making props for WWE

SFX artist Jason Baker appeared on the Gimme A Hull Yeah! Podcast, and he opened up on his experiences of working with WWE. Baker is well-known as the creator of Bray Wyatt's Fiend mask, and he was previously also responsible for making Triple H's crowns.

Baker stated that all the props made for wrestling had to be strong, and they tested its durability by passing it through the 'Triple H test.'

The Cerebral Assassin apparently broke all his crowns, and Baker figured that the best way to make a lasting prop was by 'throwing it across the room.'

Here's what Baker revealed regarding the amusing method:

"Something like with doing something for Bray, obviously we need it to be a lot more durable, so we make them a little stronger. We call it the Triple H test," he revealed. "So what we will do is we will take something and throw it across the room. If it survives, then it's probably good enough for WWE because Triple H used to break everything we made for him, like all the crowns and stuff. So if it can survive that, we will kick it, and it's like, 'okay, it held up, it's probably pretty good.'" (H/t WrestlingInc)

Triple H's crowns have always made his pre-match entrances even more majestic. Sadly enough for the fans, the NXT boss's in-ring days could very well be over as he might be forced to retire due to medical issues. You can read more about it here.