'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring you the latest backstage stories and rumors related to the world of WWE. In today's edition, we will take a look at who has replaced Adnan Virk as the lead commentator on RAW, heat on a multi-time world champion for his recent comments and much more.
This article will also take a look at the heat between two iconic veterans and details about a big name finally returning to WWE. So without further ado, let's dive in and take a look at some of the biggest stories and rumors of the day.
#5 Jimmy Smith to replace Adnan Virk as the WWE RAW lead announcer
Former MMA fighter and broadcast personality Jimmy Smith has been shortlisted to become the new lead announcer on WWE RAW. As reported earlier, Adnan Virk's stay on RAW came to an end a few days back as both parties agreed to part ways.
Virk had stated that extended travel had become difficult to manage along with his other jobs. Jimmy Smith is said to be a life-long WWE fan who grew up idolizing superstars such as Mr Perfect and Bruiser Body. Smith reacted to the news of him becoming part of WWE on Twitter:
"Hey guys, well it's been a busy day. Apparently WWE liked my work so far. I know I'm stepping into a new world (I WAS a Mr. Perfect and Bruiser Brody fanatic however) but know I'll do everything I can to honor the athletes and fans. Watch Monday and judge my work for yourself."
Apart from being an MMA fighter, Smith is also the daily host of SiriusXM's 'Unlocking the Cage' and has worked as the host of American Ninja Warrior. Smith has also been a part of the NXT Takeovers as an analyst where he hosted the pre-show.
#4 Backstage heat in WWE on John Cena for his recent comments
WWE icon John Cena referred to Taiwan as a country during a recent interview to promote his movie Fast and Furious 9. This comment did not go well with China and the multi-time World Champion had to issue an apology.
Former WWE Champion John Cena sent out an apology to China saying that he made a mistake during an interview and he is very, very sorry for it:
''Hi China, I’m John Cena. I’m in the middle of Fast & Furious 9 promotions. I’m doing a lot of interviews. I made a mistake in one of my interviews. I made one mistake. I have to say something very, very, important now. I love and respect China and Chinese people. I’m very, very sorry about my mistake. I apologize, I’m very sorry.'' (h/t SCMP)
Cena further stated that he loves and respects China and Chinese people and offered his sincerest apologies once again.
Andrew Zarian of Mat Men has reported that Cena's apology has led to some heat on him in WWE, and that it is not going down well with the powers that be.
#3 Scope for Roman Reigns to turn babyface in WWE
WWE had been trying their best to push Roman Reigns as the face of the company for years. However, a large chunk of the WWE fanbase was not on-board with WWE's decision and would often boo Reigns despite him being a 'good guy'.
All that changed last year when Reigns turned heel and debuted the Tribal Chief persona. The Universal Champion has impressed his fans and critics with his work as The Head of the Table on SmackDown and is being called a natural heel.
Dr Tom Prichard, who trained Roman Reigns during his early days in WWE, spoke to SportsKeeda on Unskripted and talked about what the future may hold for The Big Dog:
''I think it's a respect that the more he does, the more respect he will gain. It's kind of like Cena. Even though people boo Cena or do the Angle chant when Kurt would come out, you knew, and fans still respected those guys because they were professional, and they performed every night on that level,'' said Prichard.
He also talked about the possibility of Roman Reigns turning babyface again:
''As long as he gets to be himself. Yeah. I certainly think there is another babyface run for Roman Reigns," added Prichard.
Would you like to see Roman Reigns become a good guy again? Tell us below.
#2 Jim Ross reveals the truth about his equation with Randy Savage in WWE
There have been rumors of heat between Jim Ross and Randy Savage since the time the two men had a brief stint together at the commentary booth in WWE. They did commentary together for a few shows in 1993-94. However, the word was that they did not get along well.
Speaking on his podcast Grilling JR, Ross revealed the truth about his equation with Macho Man Randy Savage. JR admitted that he did not get along with Randy Savage and said that even though The Macho Man was very talented inside the ring, he had major trust issues:
“Randy and I did not get along well, but neither of us went out of our way to embellish that emotion,” he said. “I’ve always said he was an amazingly talented in-ring performer, and he was. Really, really good, but Randy’s issue was he didn’t trust anybody,” said Ross.
Randy Savage is a two-time WWE Champion and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015, four years after he passed away due to a heart attack.
#1 Finn Balor could be returning to the WWE main roster
Former WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor was moved to NXT last year in order to help the gold and yellow brand get ratings. Balor has become an integral part of NXT and even held his second NXT Championship during the stint.
Fans have been clamoring for Balor to make his return to the main roster and it looks like that may be happening soon. Speaking on the Out of Character podcast with Ryan Satin, Balor said he intends to return to the main roster:
“Absolutely, absolutely,” he said. “I grew up as a wrestling fan watching WWE, and that’s essentially where I want to be performing. I feel like in my last run there I wasn’t doing myself justice and needed to change something. The change was NXT and I needed to figure out who I was again, and I managed to do that to some level, and I am definitely hopeful that a return to RAW or SmackDown will happen in the future.”
Finn Balor is currently involved in a feud with NXT Champion Karrion Kross. It will be interesting to see how and when The Demon King returns to the WWE main roster.
