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Welcome to another edition of our daily WWE Rumor Roundup. Things are certainly picking up pace in the WWE as we are nearing the biggest show of the year. WrestleMania 36 is expected to be a grand event with an extensive card featuring the best talents of the roster.
While 'Mania cards are decided well in advance, WWE is still making a host of changes to this year's line-up behind the scenes.
A big angle on RAW was abruptly ended on the orders of Vince McMahon.
A WrestleMania title match has also changed backstage as the company has decided to add more Superstars to it.
We also have updates about The Undertaker's match at WrestleMania, a big new signing and the return of a former Champion to SmackDown.
There is a lot to talk about in today's edition of the roundup, so let's not waste any time and take a look at all the big stories doing the rounds.
#5. Vince McMahon ended Erick Rowan's cage storyline
WWE began the mysterious Erick Rowan storyline four months ago and the idea was simple yet effective. The plan was to build up the anticipation regarding what was inside Rowan's cage and it seemed to have been working as the former Wyatt Family member was getting decent amounts of TV time and the fans were also talking about the angle's direction.
However, after months of careful build-up, a tarantula was revealed to be inside Rowan's cage. A fake tarantula! The underwhelming revelation from last week was followed by Drew McIntyre destroying the cage altogether on this week's RAW, which signified the end of the storyline.
Dave Meltzer revealed on the Wrestling Observer Radio that Vince McMahon reportedly decided to nix the angle abruptly last week.
I guess so. Whatever it was, Vince decreed the end of it last week, so this was the finish of that. It was stupid, might as well get it out.
What will Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman have in store for Rowan now that the cage storyline is done and dusted?
#4. Change made to WrestleMania title match
As stated earlier, WWE has made many changes to the originally planned WrestleMania card in recent months and another big alteration was made this week.
Dave Meltzer reported on the Wrestling Observer Radio that the company changed the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match. The Kabuki Warriors were originally planned to take on the team of Natalya and the returning Beth Phoenix.
The creative team has now decided on adding Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross to the match.
They are building everything to Mania. This is the most focussed time of the year. They have a card, especially on the RAW side. On the RAW side, they really have a card. The SmackDown side I think they have a card but it changes all the time. But the key RAW matches have been in place. The Women's Tag has changed because the Women's tag was going to be Natalya and Beth Phoenix against The Kabuki Warriors and now it's a three-way with Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss added in.
Asuka and Kairi Sane did mention Alexa Bliss in their promos on RAW, which planted the seeds for the inclusion of Bliss and Cross into the tag team title picture. The former Women's Tag Team Champions should be included in the match in the weeks to come.
#3. No gimmick match planned for Undertaker vs. AJ Styles
AJ Styles made his feud with The Undertaker extremely personal on this week's RAW as the Phenomenal One fired off a vicious verbal attack on the Deadman and his wife Michele McCool.
Styles promised to kill Undertaker at WrestleMania and put the final nail in the coffin. The statement about the coffin has kickstarted speculation of WWE possibly having a casket match at WrestleMania. However, that's not a part of the plan.
Bryan Alvarez revealed on the Wrestling Observer Live that the company has no plan to have the gimmick match for WrestleMania.
Another update from yesterday. AJ Styles, he promised to cause Undertaker to die in the ring, he also said that he would literally put the nail in his coffin, which of course, led me to ask, 'well, is it going to be a casket match.' How do you literally put a nail in a coffin if it's not a casket match. The answer is, as of this moment, no, it is not a casket match.
The Undertaker will return to RAW next week for a potentially explosive contract signing segment with his WrestleMania opponent AJ Styles.
#2. Nia Jax return update
Nia Jax has been out of action since WrestleMania 35 due to double knee surgery that she successfully underwent after last year's Show of Shows.
The former RAW Women's Champion has now been cleared to return to in-ring action, as revealed by PWinsider's Mike Johnson.
The report also states that Jax is expected to make her TV comeback on the upcoming episode of SmackDown in Detroit, Michigan.
It's interesting to note that Paige is also returning to SmackDown to 'confront Bayley'. The fans are speculating that Paige could introduce the returning Nia Jax as Bayley's next title challenger.
Paige returning to be Jax's manager sounds like a good idea on paper, however, we'd have to wait to see whether it materializes.
Jax was part of the RAW roster before she was sidelined due to injury and getting her back to SmackDown could be a great decision as the women's division on the blue brand lacks depth.
Despite reports of her impending return, Jax has been up to her usual tricks on social media with her posts suggesting that she may leave wrestling altogether to get back to modelling.
The safe bet is that we may see her this week on SmackDown.
#1. WWE signs Rob Gronkowski
As reported by The Wrap, Rob Gronkowski has signed a deal with the WWE and the 3-time Super Bowl Champion is reportedly set to debut on this week's episode of SmackDown.
It was also added that Gronkowski is expected to appear at WrestleMania 36 in a non-wrestling capacity, possibly to begin the build for his first match.
“He’s also due to appear at next month’s WrestleMania 36 in Tampa, Fla., the insider told TheWrap. Current plans call for that appearance to be a build-up to a match after WrestleMania, not a match AT WrestleMania.”
The news of Gronk possibly joining WWE was first broken by Ryan Satin on WWE Backstage. The Pro Wrestling Sheet editor revealed that the company was close to agreeing terms with the former New England Patriots Tight End.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider revealed in a separate report that Gronkowski will work as an active performer in the company and his deal will be similar to Ronda Rousey's WWE contract.
Gronk is no stranger to the WWE Universe as he helped Mojo Rawley win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33.
Will Gronk succeed as WWE Superstar?
