WWE Rumor Roundup – Backstage news on Sasha Banks' absence, update on top female star joining AEW, new term added to banned list (January 8th, 2022)

#2. Triple H's backstage reaction to WWE NXT releases

The spree of high-profile NXT cuts continued as William Regal, Samoa Joe, Road Dogg, and a few other big names were released over the past few days.

Wade Keller has revealed that Triple H is unhappy over the releases as all the outgoing personalities were close to him backstage:

"NXT just isn't what it once was. I've heard just a little about Triple H's reaction to all of this, and nothing super reportable other than it sounds like he's bummed out," revealed Wade Keller.

Triple H took over the reins of NXT in 2013 with a vision to make it a major brand for the WWE. The company's EVP assembled a group of people who he felt could move to the main roster in the future.

WWE has scrapped the old model and is seemingly undoing all the work Triple H put into developing NXT, and The Game has every reason to be saddened by the recent developments:

"I've talked with people who had said Triple H was building his team that he would bring with him to the main roster, and if his day came to run the main roster, he wanted his group of people. At some point, it was thought that it would include William Regal and Gabe Sapolsky and Road Dogg, and they're gone," Wade Keller added. (H/t - WrestlingNews.co)

Triple H is still the boss of NXT as it transitions to a new era. However, it's unfortunate that the former WWE Champion is no longer surrounded by the people who helped take the brand to great heights in recent years.

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#1. WWE Backstage reaction to Bron Breakker's symbolic entrance at New Year's Evil

Bron Breakker won the NXT Championship at New Year's Evil by beating Tommaso Ciampa in a solid match. However, before the title contest, his entrance rubbed several fans the wrong way as he shattered a massive gold 'X' sign on his way to the ring.

As reported by Fightful Select, people within WWE felt that the spot signaled the end of NXT's previous era, and many were not happy with the moment.

The controversial gesture was not well-received as it seemingly undermined NXT's tremendous rise.

The new NXT Champion issued a clarification about the spot when he recently spoke to Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports. Breakker explained that NXT veterans such as Ciampa will still be around and urged fans not to get the wrong message from his New Year's Evil entrance:

"I don't think it's a nail in the coffin or anything like that. We're just shifting from black and gold to 2.0. Tommaso [Ciampa] is going to be around. I'm sure that he and I will cross paths again. That will happen at some point in time, whether it's now or later. It's going to happen again. I'm looking forward to it. It's just a shift. Those guys are going to be here. I'm fully aware that they're here. It ain't going anywhere."

Bron Breakker has been tasked with the job of leading NXT 2.0. and despite the controversy over the presentation changes, the young star has shown enough potential to be the face of a new-look brand.

Feel free to share your thoughts on any of the stories featured in today's WWE Rumor Roundup.