WWE Rumor Roundup: Bad news for Braun Strowman amid coronavirus crisis, Old theme song returning after 11 years - 21st March 2020

Braun Strowman/ SmackDown set at the WWE PC.
Braun Strowman/ SmackDown set at the WWE PC.

Coronavirus has wreaked havoc in the WWE but that hasn't stopped the officials from ensuring that WrestleMania 36 goes ahead according to plan.

Every person in the company has been affected by the outbreak in some way, and while a handful of Superstars have been impacted more than the others, the entire locker room is willing to go the extra mile to put together a show to remember on April 4th and 5th.

However, Braun Strowman's recent revelation on Twitter paints a disconcerting image of what the talents are facing from a monetary standpoint.

WWE has also been working overtime to tape all the upcoming TV shows and the Superstars could be really exhausted with the entire ordeal.

WWE was also forced to change its plans for Paige on this week's SmackDown.

A popular theme song will also most likely return to TV after a very long time. There is also a big reason why Asuka was on commentary on the recent episode of RAW.

On that note, here is the latest edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup:


#5. Braun Strowman reveals that he is not getting paid

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Braun Strowman attracted the unwanted backlash of the fans recently when he made few controversial comments about independent wrestlers.

Performers on the independent circuit have been having a tough time financially amid the coronavirus crisis leading to many promotions cancelling shows.

Strowman stated that the wrestlers who can't pay their bills should change their profession. The fans are unhappy with Strowman's comments and one fan even asked the Monster Among Men how he'd feel if he wasn't getting paid.

Strowman replied to the fan and stated that he is indeed not earning even half of his full pay due to the coronavirus situation. The former Intercontinental Champion explained that he is a private contractor and he gets paid based on his work, however, business hasn't been all that great for the Superstar.

#4. WWE is getting back the No More Words theme song for Jeff Hardy

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Jeff Hardy returned to SmackDown recently and he is set to get another run as a solo performer. The Charismatic Enigma would have loved to return in front of a live crowd, however, that wasn't the case as he came back inside the empty Performance Center.

During his recent appearance on WWE's The Bump, Hardy admitted that he visualized having a better return but he accepted that it was the best-case scenario considering the coronavirus health scare.

Hardy then went on to reveal that he will be getting his No More Words entrance theme song back soon.

“I planned on it being much bigger, like in my mind I’d seen going out, the crowd going crazy, this being my last big return. But then the way things are in the world right now, it’s just what I had to deal with. I look forward to being in front of a crowd again because I think I’m getting my old theme back from 08-09 called No More Words, and I think it’s going to be special again.” H/t Credit: Danny Hart of Sportskeeda

Jeff Hardy used the popular song when he was at the top of the company as the WWE Champion and it would be great to see him enter a stacked arena to No More Words, which is surely a part of many top theme song playlists.

#3. The original plan for Paige on SmackDown

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In a pre-recorded segment on SmackDown, Paige confirmed that Bayley will defend her Championship in a six-pack challenge at WrestleMania 36.

The former Divas Champion was originally scheduled to show up at last week's episode to make the announcement but she was pulled from the show due to travel-related concerns.

As revealed by PWInsider, the plan this week too was to get Paige to Florida for an appearance at the WWE Performance Center.

However, the plan was nixed just as Paige was waiting for her flight at the airport. The segment was shot in California and later edited into the show, as revealed via PWInsider's report.

Given below is what was revealed in the report:

Paige was not at yesterday's Smackdown taping. Her portions of the back and forth with Sasha Banks and Bayley were shot in California and edited into the show. We are told that at one point, she was slated to travel to Florida but while she was waiting to fly out at the airport, the decision was made to have her stay home and do the angle that way.

As confirmed by Paige, Bayley will defend the title against Sasha Banks, Tamina, Naomi, Lacey Evans and Dana Brooke.

#2. Update on WWE taping upcoming shows

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Yesterday was a very hectic day for the WWE as the company completed taping two episodes each of SmackDown and 205 Live.

PWInsider reported that the shoot lasted the entire day and that every person involved with the product is working really hard to put their best foot forward with the available resources.

The company is doing all they can to have enough content that would keep them secure in the weeks to follow. WWE is committed to presenting fresh content and the taping was conducted to achieve that goal.

I am told it was an extremely long day that started early this morning and ran pretty much all day and well into the evening. Everyone is working as hard as they can to get everything done so that the company is "protected" in terms of content over the next several weeks so that no matter what, they are guaranteed to present new, original content in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Many fans and pundits would be against the idea of WWE not changing their schedule, however, the talents and the officials have to be given extra props for the earnest initiatives and unrelenting work ethic.

#1. The reason why Asuka was on commentary

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Asuka was tasked with the added duty of joining Jerry Lawler on commentary on the most recent episode of RAW.

The former NXT Women's Champion was praised for her lively work and her infectious enthusiasm was the reason why WWE made the call to get her into the commentary booth during Rey Mysterio's match against Andrade.

Jerry 'The King' Lawler revealed on the latest episode of his podcast that the company put Asuka in the commentary team to add some noise and vigour as the empty arena show desperately needed it.

They put Asuka out there to help with the commentary and to try to help make some noise and keep things as loud as possible during the match where it wouldn’t be silence so that helped a lot. It’s a tough go and I felt sorry for Rey and Andrade and Zelina but they still did great. H/t Credit: WrestlingNews.co

CM Punk and Renee Young had special praise for Asuka's commentary and it was certainly well deserved.

Asuka passed the acid test and we would love to see her in this role more often going forward.

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