WWE Rumor Roundup - Batista no longer dating RAW Superstar, 2-Time Tag Champion returning after 9 years? RETRIBUTION member asks to be removed - 7th November 2020

Another day has passed us by in the bustling world of pro wrestling, and as always, we're ready for another stacked edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup.

The lineup for today has some big stories. We begin with a long-running rumor of Batista's relationship with a RAW Superstar. The rumor has now been confirmed. The Superstar also opened up on why things didn't work out with Batista.

A big report about WWE being interested in getting back a two-time Tag Team Champion has started doing the rounds. It's interesting to note that the former WWE Superstar is the son of a legend, and he was released in 2011.

WWE reportedly doesn't have any plans of pushing a Superstar who recently broke away from a tag team.

An underutilized Superstar has also garnered a lot of backstage support, and there are voices behind the scenes that want the company to push him. The fans would like this one.

And finally, we end the WWE Rumor Roundup with an update about a RETRIBUTION member putting in an official request to be removed from the faction.

Without any further delay, let's take a look at all the stories in detail:

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#5. WWE RAW Superstar Dana Brooke opens up on dating Batista

Dana Brooke and Batista were in the news at the end of 2019 for their social media interaction. The Superstars openly flirted with each other, and it didn't take time for the speculation to go around about them being a couple. In fact, it turns out that Batista and Dana Brooke did date each other for a brief period,

During a recent interview with Forbes, Dana Brooke opened up about dating Batista. Brooke also revealed her current relationship status.

Dana Brooke said that she and Batista are great friends, and their relationship didn't work out due to their hectic work schedules. Here's what Brooke had to say:

"We went out; we were great, great, great friends, we've been to the Meat Market down in Tampa, we go to [Edison], also in Tampa, so we kept in great contact. There's always been interest between Dave and I as far as friendships and everything. We share a lot in common as far as being in the business and outside, and being very passionate about giving back and charity work as well. It's just with my schedule being so so busy, and Dave doing a lot of movies, our times are very limited. But we still communicate, we still talk on a regular basis, my boyfriend now [Uly Diaz] and him also have a lot in common as far as the fight game goes."

Dana Brooke has formed a tag team with Mandy Rose on WWE RAW, and she seems to be a great place, both in terms of her personal life and career.

#4. WWE and AEW are interested in signing Davey Boy Smith Jr.

WWE fans would remember the son of the legendary British Bulldog from his five-year stint with the company, which came to an end when he was released from his contract in August 2011.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. is currently signed to Major League Wrestling (MLW). However, the former two-time WWE Tag Team Champion has attracted interest from AEW and WWE.

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the relations between MLW boss Court Bauer and Davey Boy Smith are good. Smith was at Chris Jericho's Halloween party, and he spoke to Tony Khan. They didn't talk business as that would only happen once Smith's MLW contract expires soon.

WWE, AEW, All Japan, IMPACT Wrestling, and MLW have their eyes on securing the services of the 35-year-old Canadian Superstar. Davey Boy Smith Jr. isn't favoring any specific company as he would reportedly make a decision only based on what's most sensible for him from a business standpoint.

Meltzer noted the following in the Newsletter:

Relations between Court Bauer and Smith are said to be fine. Smith said he's known Bauer since 2004 when he was a teenager and he's always liked him. He's under contract through 12/18. He was going to start as a regular with All Japan at the Champion Carnival tournament and then the pandemic hit. He was at Chris Jericho's Halloween party this past week and spoke to Tony Khan but they aren't talking any business until after his MLW deal is up. He's had interest from WWE, Khan expressed interest, and there is interest from All Japan, Impact and MLW and has no favorite or leaning past saying this decision will be made based on offer and whatever makes the most sense business-wise.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. had two tag team title reigns alongside Tyson Kidd, and the Superstar has come a long way since leaving WWE in 2011. Smith is a well-traveled performer whose experience of working under different banners worldwide would be an asset to any promotion.

It should be noted that Davey Boy Smith Jr. did make an appearance on WWE The Bump in February earlier this year.

#3. Mercedes Martinez expressed her desire to WWE about wanting out of RETRIBUTION

Mercedes Martinez was one of the two female members of RETRIBUTION alongside Mia Yim when WWE revealed the core members of the group several weeks ago.

However, Martinez mysteriously disappeared while Mia Yim has continued to be a part of the stable. A Fightful Select report has now revealed the backstage situation that led to Martinez's removal from the WWE faction.

The word going around backstage is that Mercedes Martinez reportedly told the WWE management about her desire for not wanting to be a part of the angle. WWE went on to remove Martinez from the faction before the other members signed new contracts.

The latest update revealed that WWE has no plans to add another female member to the faction. While there were a few NXT names discussed to replace Martinez, WWE decided to stick with the current lineup.

The 39-year-old Martinez is one of the most experienced female wrestlers in the company, and she has not been used in any other angle ever since being removed from RETRIBUTION. A move back to NXT or a repackaged run on the main roster could be in the works.

#2. WWE reportedly has no plans to push Tucker

The Heavy Machinery split continued the recent trend of WWE abruptly breaking up tag teams. WWE took it one step further by having Tucker turn on Otis at Hell in a Cell.

The odd part about the angle is that WWE is yet to book a proper follow-up to Tucker's heel turn. Tucker vs. Otis seems dead in the water, and the feud has not even truly begun yet.

Dave Meltzer revealed in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the Tucker heel turn was booked so that WWE could take the Money in the Bank briefcase off Otis. There are reportedly no plans on having a feud between the former Heavy Machinery members.

Meltzer revealed the following in the WON:

Tucker was wearing old sweatpants that read "Knight" on the back, a name he stopped using a long time ago. He was treated like the jobber of jobbers so he's deader faster after the Otis split up than was hinted to me. The angle was shot to get the briefcase off Otis with no plans of building an Otis vs. Tucker feud, and was just a way out and dropped.

Tucker, who debuted new in-ring gear on the most recent RAW episode, was used as an enhancement talent, and the future certainly doesn't look bright for the former NXT Superstar.

#1. Chad Gable has many supporters backstage in WWE

Chad Gable's journey of becoming 'Shorty G' and going back to his original avatar in WWE has been dumbfounding, to say the least.

The former Olympian wrestler has often been seen as an underutilized Superstar given his immense talent, and the 'Shorty G' gimmick also failed to do him any good. Does it mean Vince McMahon has given up on him? Not really.

WrestlingNews.co reports that there are people in the creative team who are still pushing for Gable. A person close to the creative process told WrestlingNews.co that there is a glimmer of hope and optimism as Vince McMahon still views Chad Gable as 'a tough guy.' Vince McMahon respects Gable for the Superstar's achievements before coming to WWE.

McMahon gave Gable the 'Shorty G' character with the intention of helping him; however, not every creative decision ends up being a home run. The comparison to Kurt Angle was brought up again as Vince McMahon handed the WWE Hall of Famer a comedy character early on in his career. The boss felt that something was missing with the Olympic gold medalist.

A similar reasoning was at play in Gable's case. While it was added that Gable's size could hinder his rise to the top of WWE, many people in the company are still vouching for him, and they want the former American Alpha to get a proper push.

One of Chad Gable's most prominent supporters is Daniel Bryan. The former WWE Champion has been working in the creative team, but will that help change Gable's fortunes on SmackDown? Only time will tell.