WWE Rumor Roundup: Former Champion signs new three-year deal, why Renee Young is leaving and more - 21st August 2020

In today’s edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup, we take a look at Drew McIntyre hinting at his next opponent and Big E’s reaction to WWE picking Roman Reigns over him.

Before we get to that, we also have some interesting news about Alexa Bliss’ involvement in The Fiend Bray Wyatt vs. Braun Strowman storyline and also the two headline-makers of the day.

Without further ado, here are the top WWE rumors of the day:

#5 Rey Mysterio signs new three-year deal with WWE

It was revealed last week that Rey Mysterio had signed a new WWE contract after weeks of negotiations. The length of his new deal was not known at that time, but Dave Meltzer has some insight on it.

On the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer reported that Rey Mysterio has signed a three-year deal with the company.

“On the new Rey Mysterio deal, it is believed to be for three years.”

Earlier, Tom Colohue explained why there was a delay in the contract signing. He claimed that Rey wanted WWE to push his son before he put pen to a new deal.

There were murmurs about Mysterio possibly heading to All Elite Wrestling, but he has stayed put. WWE reportedly were not in favor of Dominik having singles match to debut with, but Mysterio insisted on it, and he got his wish. Colohue reported:

“I really can’t see this as anything but a message from Vince McMahon to Rey Mysterio. Something like, if you’re son gets hurt that’s on you for pushing us to get him involved too early because the WWE did not want Dominik debuting in a solo match at this point, but that’s what Rey wanted. Rey wanted to make sure they did what he wanted before he would look at signing a new contract.”

Dominik will make his WWE in-ring debut against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam this weekend with his father Rey Mysterio in his corner.

#4 Why Renee Young is leaving WWE

Renee Young

Renee Young is set to leave WWE and has already handed her week's notice. Young is set to end her 8-year stint with the company, and this weekend will mark her final appearance.

PWInsider were the first to report her departure from WWE. Now, Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio confirmed the news and also added the possible reason why she is leaving WWE.

As per Meltzer, the COVID-19 situation played a huge role in Renee Young's departure. Talking the latest episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer said:

"As far as the reason, I mean, if you look at the timing, I think it's pretty safe to say that the whole COVID thing is probably a huge part of this, just you know, again, she wasn't the only one. There were a lot of people who got COVID and a lot of people never got calls from the top people in the company and several of them were unhappy, but you know her situation is different."

It was earlier reported that the WWE higher-ups, including Vince McMahon, Triple H, Kevin Dunn, and Mark Carrano, did not contact Renee Young after she had tested positive for COVID-19.

#3 Alexa Bliss' involvement backstage in Strowman vs. Wyatt feud leading up to WWE SummerSlam

The Fiend and Alexa Bliss

Alexa Bliss has been involved in the storyline between The Fiend Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman lately. She first appeared during the WWE Extreme Rules match and was subsequently attacked by both The Fiend and Strowman on different episodes of WWE SmackDown.

Tom Colohue has now reported that she has been actively involved in the storyline backstage. Colohue further stated that she might not be involved in the writing process, but her love for horror movies has played a role in the storyline's development.

Talking on the latest edition of the Dropkick DiSKussions podcast, Colohue said:

"Alexa Bliss has certainly sparked a lot of life into it. She was originally a victim of The Fiend, just there to call out Braun. Now we are already at that point whereby The Fiend is protecting Bliss from Braun and Braun is using that. Braun is using that very well. That opens so many possible options here, and that's what makes this so interesting.

Now, I can't say that Alexa has been consulting on this as she has been as involved in the writing process as anyone else. While she hasn't been writing particular lines and everything in that regard, her love for Horror films has definitely played itself out in an interesting way that has helped it develop. You can tell by the quality of her acting that she is invested in this."

Braun Strowman and 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt are now set to clash again this Sunday at WWE SummerSlam for the Universal Championship.

#2 Drew McIntyre hints at next WWE feud?

Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre is set to face Randy Orton this Sunday at WWE SummerSlam, but he has his eyes set on a possible next feud already. While getting a win over the Legend Killer is going to be tough, the Scottish Psychopath is full of confidence and spoke about who would want to face next.

The WWE Champion picked Sheamus as the Superstar he would like to defend his title against.

McIntyre has not given up hope and even had an interesting angle for the storyline. He wants to go with a 'jealous brother' storyline as they have been best friends for years now and it was Sheamus who helped McIntyre settle in the United States and in WWE.

Talking to the Mirror, he said:

"It would be a great idea. I think the biggest thing of all would be allowing us time to tell the story. I think people would love it, hard hitting, two big guys, that's exciting, but if you let us tell that story first, to get the emotional investment of how long we've known each other. I met him, I always joke with this, that I was 19-years-old and he was about 43 at the time. [Laughs]

We became best friends, we had top feuds in Scotland, England, Ireland, we got signed to WWE on the same day… he was also the best man at my wedding, so there's a great possibility for a 'jealous brother' story heading into it, to get that real emotional investment, aside from the fact that it would be a really cool match, especially back home."

A feud between McIntyre and Shemus has all the right ingredients, but the WWE Universe might have to wait a little longer to see it as both of them are on different brands.

#1 Big E on WWE choosing Roman Reigns as the face of the company

Big E

Big E is getting his big singles push in WWE right now, and rumors suggest he is set to get a title shot soon.

The New Day member revealed that there was a point when WWE had to pick between him and Roman Reigns as the face of the company. Big E said that the company went with the Big Dog, and it was the correct decision then.

Both the Superstars made their move from NXT to the WWE Main Roster around the same time and were a part of different factions. While Reigns was a part of The Shield, Big E sided with Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee.

Talking to talkSPORT about the company picking Reigns over him, WWE Superstar Big E said:

“There was a point – and I don’t know if this was a thing – but there was a rumor that the choice was between me and Roman and they were kind of deciding [who to push]. To me, Roman made so much sense – look at him! You can say what you want about him, but look at the guy. I’ve been in the ring with him and he’s incredible, he gets so much love. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone say ‘I didn’t enjoy working with him’ or ‘I didn’t think he was good in the ring.’ If you’ve been in the ring with [you’d know] he deserves the spot he got!

So six or seven years ago, it wouldn’t have made sense [for me to get the push] and I wasn’t ready for it then. Now I feel so much more comfortable as a performer, as a promo and in my character – and unabashedly being myself. I feel capable of being whatever this run is going to be.”

Roman Reigns is on a break right now as he has chosen not to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Big E, on the other hand, is without his New Day mates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods and is finally in line for a singles push after a very long time.