WWE Rumor Roundup: Backstage heat on recently returned superstar, real reason 5-time world champion has joined AEW, Goldberg's return, Punk's future(22nd July 2021)

Welcome to another edition of WWE Rumor Roundup, where we try and bring the biggest stories and rumors from the world of WWE. In today's exciting edition we will talk about two former WWE Champions going to AEW, the reason why a big name was brought back and heat on a WWE couple.

Last week, not only did the crowd return to the arenas, but big names like John Cena, Goldberg and Keith Lee also made their much-awaited returns. However, Goldberg's return has not been taken kindly by some fans, while others are very happy that the Hall of Famer is back. Let us take a deeper look into Goldberg's return and other major topics:

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#5 Backstage heat on WWE superstars Keith Lee and Mia Yim

Keith Lee finally returned to WWE on RAW this week. However, his big return was in vain as The Limitless One suffered a convincing defeat at the hands of WWE Champion Bobby Lashley.

Speaking on SportsKeeda's Legion of RAW, Vince Russo said that Keith lee and his real-life partner Mia Yim have a lot of heat in WWE. He said that they have 'Lana-Rusev' level of heat.

''Bro, you saw back-to-back matches," Russo continued, "You saw Shanky and Cranky in between, and that's not a match. This is the punishment. This is the test. This is the Triple H curtain call at Madison Square Garden. I don't know who. I don't know what happened. I don't know if she (Mia Yim) got him heat. Maybe she popped off at the RETRIBUTION. Somewhere along the lines, this couple, there's a lot of heat.''

Keith Lee was allegedly set to win the US Championship from Lashley earlier this year. However, he was abruptly taken off television and kept off until his recent return.

Mia Yim has also not been seen since RETRIBUTION dissolved. It was said that she moved to SmackDown, but we are yet to see her return.

#4 Reason why Daniel Bryan chose AEW over WWE

Cassidy Haynes of BodySlam.net reported that former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan has now signed with AEW. This comes after much speculation regarding Bryan's future after his WWE contract expired earlier this year.

"We were told that Danielson wanted to work less dates for comparable money, he wanted the ability to be able to work in Japan, and wanted to have creative input on his character, all of which he got. Additionally, we were told tentative plans creatively for Bryan Danielson’s AEW debut. As of the time of this writing (8:45 pm Wednesday, 7/21/21), the plan is for Bryan Danielson to make his AEW debut on September 22nd, when AEW heads to Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City." read the report.

As per Dave Meltzer of WOR, the primary reason why Bryan chose to join AEW was that they allowed him to compete in NJPW as well. AEW has a working relationship with companies like IMPACT Wrestling and NJPW which allow a free flow of talent.

Daniel Bryan has been with WWE for a long time and is one of the most celebrated veterans. His switch to AEW will certainly help the company get more eyeballs.

#3 Reason why WWE has booked Goldberg vs Bobby Lashley

Goldberg returned to WWE this week on RAW. He will now challenge the WWE Champion Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam. While some fans are not happy about Goldberg's return, there is a reason why WWE decided to bring the former Universal Champion back on RAW.

Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men podcast has reported that WWE needs casual fans to tune in now that the live crowds are back. He revealed that despite the 'hardcore' fans not liking Goldberg, he is still a major draw.

"Here is the reality WWE NEEDS casual fans. Every single analytics indicator that the company uses shows that Goldberg is a big draw for them. "WE" may not like him returning, but the majority of WWE's fans do. The reality is we are the minority when it comes to pro-wrestling viewership. Twitter is a fraction of how many people actually follow WWE content. Don't shoot the messenger." said Zarian

Goldberg was last seen in WWE when he faced Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble. It will be interesting to see if Goldberg can topple Bobby Lashley as the WWE Champion or if the WCW legend will suffer his second defeat in 2021 at SummerSlam.

#2 WWE icon Booker T on what issues CM Punk would face if he returns

Fightful Select reported that former WWE champion CM Punk might be looking to make his in-ring return soon. The report also stated that there is a high chance that Punk may end up in AEW as he is currently in talks with the company.

WWE legend Booker T talked about the possibility of Punk returning and what problems he might face. Booker T said that being a 40-year-old in a locker room filled with young superstars could lead to some insecurities, which he faced as well.

"Now, that's what I'm thinking about CM Punk who's been away from the game for seven years. I'm not hating or anything like that, but my thing is this: in my 40s, mid-40s, even though I still looked good, I had a phobia about taking my shirt off in the locker room with the young guys. It's like, 'Man, these guys look great,'' said Booker

He further talked about how he started feeling like he needed to switch careers when he saw the physique of the younger superstars in the locker room.

#1 Edge speaks out after loss at WWE MITB

WWE legend Edge lost his match against Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Money in the Bank. The Hall of Famer gave the Tribal Chiefs a tough fight but wasn't able to win the Universal title.

Edge came very close to winning, but it was Seth Rollins who cost The Rater R Superstar his chance to win another WWE world championship. Edge broke his silence after losing to Reigns in a heartfelt Instagram post:

"What a week. Feel like I got run over by an 18 wheeler carrying elephants. But having all of you back, screaming your heads off was the reminder that, for me, this is the best job in the world. And no matter the outcome, just know that when I’m in there, there’s no phoning it in, I’ll give ya everything I have. Which is so much easier to do when I can hear all of you. Let’s keep movin!"

Rumors have suggested that Seth Rollins will be facing Edge at SummerSlam. Given what transpired at MITB, it is safe to assume that the match will indeed take place at the biggest party of the summer.