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We are back with another exciting edition of WWE Rumor and News Roundup. Toady's list includes details on Roman Reigns' first loss in 2021, all the necessary information concerning Brock Lesnar's return next month, as well as backstage plans for Survivor Series.
We also came across the company's disputes with a recently released superstar regarding his claims on social media.
Here, we look at some of the biggest stories that have dominated headlines over the last 24 hours. So, without further ado, let's begin.
#6 King Woods ends Roman Reigns' winning streak on WWE SmackDown
This week's episode of SmackDown saw Roman Reigns and King Woods face each other in the main event. The loser of this match was supposed to 'bend the knee' and accept their opponents' supremacy. It was an entertaining bout that eventually ended with Woods' victory via DQ.
He came close to pinning the Universal Champion after delivering a Coast to Coast Elbow Drop. However, he was pulled out of the ring by The Usos.
The reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions launched a vicious attack on the New Day member at ringside. This led to the referee ending the match and awarding the win to King Woods via DQ, ending Roman Reigns' 16-match winning streak in 2021.
Although The Tribal Chief technically lost the match, he only bent the knee so that his cousins could place the crown on his head. He took Woods' gold and later labeled himself as The King.
#5 Backstage reason why Brock Lesnar is returning to WWE next month
Brock Lesnar was suspended for an indefinite period of time after he attacked Roman Reigns, The Usos, half the SmackDown roster, and the production crew. He also attacked Adam Pearce, which led to The Beast Incarnate being fined a million dollars.
Many believed he would be out of action for a couple of months, but the latest backstage reports suggest that Lesnar is set to return in December.
It appears that WWE is planning to make a big statement on the back of Brock Lesnar's presence on their Los Angeles show. This would also lay the groundwork for his push ahead of Royal Rumble.
"Lesnar will be returning on the 12/10 Smackdown in Los Angeles. The idea is he's going to buy a ringside ticket. This show is a major one because they are running the show in that city largely for FOX executives to get a major FOX show in FOX's home base. Lesnar is obviously one of the key people they are interested in, and it'll likely be the start to build Lesnar for the Rumble show," said Meltzer.
The company is reportedly planning to continue with Lesnar's current run as a babyface. He has brought back glimpses of his older on-screen personality, giving us quite a few entertaining segments.
It will be interesting to see what's in store for the former world champion once he starts making regular appearances on television.
#4 WWE reportedly planning a big 'screwjob' at Survivor Series 2021
WWE Survivor Series 2021 will witness the top champions from RAW and SmackDown battling it out for brand supremacy. One of the biggest matches scheduled for the event includes the bout between Women's Champions Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.
The two were involved in a segment that was reportedly caused due to real-life heat between the two former best friends. The Man even admitted that she and Flair are no longer on talking terms.
The latest backstage reports suggest that the company is planning a huge twist involving Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch at the pay-per-view. The rumors claim that the creative team could be planning a 'screwjob' based on real-life tension between the two champions.
It was noted that recent video packages on RAW and SmackDown highlighted the infamous 'Montreal Screwjob' involving Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart. Thus, there's a potentially controversial finish on the cards for the upcoming event.
This week, Charlotte Flair returned on SmackDown to address Becky Lynch. She claimed she was a star-maker while Lynch was a fabricated champion. The latter had a brilliant response mocking Flair's comments.
The apparent real-life heat between the two superstars could account for a massive twist at Survivor Series, and the writers are reportedly inclined towards booking a debatable finish.
#3 WWE releases official statement to dispute Keith Lee's claims about paying his own medical bills
WWE has hit back at Keith Lee for implying that he paid his own medical bills. Lee had issued a statement following his release in which he mentioned that he paid for the medical expenses from his own pockets.
Vince McMahon's promotion has now said that those claims are 'erroneous' and invited Keith Lee to address all concerns about his medical bills with the company.
"Keith Lee's recent comments implying WWE failed to pay his medical bills are erroneous. WWE has an extensive healthcare program for the medical care of its in-ring performers, and Mr. Lee was part of this program while with the company. Should Mr. Lee have any concerns over the payment of medical bills, he is welcome to address them with WWE," read the official statement.
Lee was one of several superstars released by the promotion earlier this month. There were backstage reports claiming that the former NXT Champion was shown the door because of his "attitude problem."
It was being said that those who were rooting for him were also frustrated lately due to his approach towards getting the job done.
#2 WWE veteran discusses Sami Zayn's importance in the company
WWE veteran Dutch Mantell hailed Sami Zayn as the most valuable player of SmackDown after Roman Reigns. He said that Zayn delivers excellent matches, and his credibility isn't affected much when he loses.
Mantell further noted that fans would love Sami Zayn as a babyface if the latter had someone like him with whom he could work on the Blue brand.
"If you had to pick a most valuable player on SmackDown over the last six months, who would you pick other than Roman? I'll tell you who I think it should be. I think Sami Zayn would be it because he turns in good matches, he's always there. You can beat him, it doesn't hurt him. He can just continue to go and go. You could do anything with that guy. I think he would be, if he had somebody like him to work with, he'd be a great babyface. They'd love him as a babyface but yet if you don't have nobody to work with, you hurt yourself," said Dutch Mantell.
Zayn has turned himself into one of the most entertaining parts of SmackDown over the last couple of years. Recently, he declared himself as the locker-room leader and often went around offering unsolicited advice backstage.
Sami Zayn was also a part of the Blue brand's five-member team for WWE's traditional Survivor Series elimination match. However, he was removed from the team after losing against Jeff Hardy on the show on Friday.
#1 Buddy Matthews criticizes lack of long-term story-telling in WWE
Buddy Matthews, formerly known as Buddy Murphy in WWE, did not hold back while discussing his former promotion's lack of long-term story-telling. He drew comparisons to action movies and discussed why the 'dips' in the narrative are just as important as the action. Speaking about his experience in the company, Matthews said:
"If I gave you a rundown of my stories and gave you the dot-points, you'd be like 'that happened? That's awesome, it sounds good.' But when there's weeks and weeks and a lot of disconnects, the story doesn't get put together how we actually viewed it. I just feel like they don't let stuff sit there and move progressively."
"It either sits in the same spot and it's on repeat, and we get over it and we get bored with the situation or there is no sitting there it's like 'we're going to do this...' and when you think it's about to get to the big explosion, it [doesn't]. It's like, in a movie reference, if we start off with a big bang at the start and the bad guy dies halfway through the movie," Matthews concluded.
Buddy Matthews was released by Vince McMahon's promotion earlier this year. He admitted that while everyone wants a long-lasting career, he is happy that he can finally do whatever he wants. He also relished the fact that he could visit his family in Australia as he no longer has to work a jam-packed schedule.
