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In today's roundup, we take a look at the NJPW star that not just the WWE management but also several Superstars are keen on having in the company. Adding to that, the interesting backstage update on why Brock Lesnar is entering the Royal Rumble and more!
Before we get to those crazy rumors, we have to get the headline-makers out of the away.
Former United States champion to join AEW
Matt Hardy's contract with WWE is set to expire and he is set to leave soon as per Wrestling Observer Radio. They report that the former United States champion will be joining AEW just like Dean Ambrose, aka Jon Moxley did last year.
Apart from Hardy, Luke Harper is also reportedly set to join them. He has changed his name to Brodie Lee already and is now waiting for the no-compete clause to end after his WWE release.
One of the top names mentioned is Matt Hardy, who has kept his stock up thanks to the return of his W(B)roken character in the Free The Delete episodes he’s released on his YouTube page. Also mentioned was former Bludgeon Brother Luke Harper, who was finally given his WWE release in early December after requesting to be let go back in April.
Major update on Edge's return
Rumors of Edge returning to the ring are never going to go away and there are fresh updates on it every single week. PWInsider are now reporting that the former WWE champion has been at several TV tappings in recent weeks and could be in line for a return.
Wrestling Observer Radio have also added to it and said that there is no chance of Edge going up against Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble or at WrestleMania.
As far as Edge coming back and him being in a key match at Mania, he can if he is cleared, that’s all well and good, and you know what, I do want to say this, now that I remember certain things that I’ve been told. It couldn’t be Edge, okay, I was told flat out that Edge was not wrestling Brock Lesnar, not at the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania.
All reports now indicate that Edge's return is no longer an 'if' but 'when?' at the moment.
Why Brock Lesnar is entering the Royal Rumble
Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar revealed on last night's RAW that the WWE was champion was entering the Royal Rumble this year. The WWE Champion is not just entering the rumble but is set to kick it off by starting as the #1.
WrestleVotes have al update on the backstage plans for this and claims that they want to start the buildup for his WrestleMania match at the January pay-per-view. They claim that it need not be a Superstar from RAW and could be someone from NXT or SmackDown too. They tweeted:
“Source says WWE is doing this Lesnar in the Rumble angle as a way to set up Brock’s Mania matchup. Which could signal it's against someone from SD or NXT as Heyman mentioned a few times last night. Opens up a world of possibilities.”
Drew McIntyre is still the top favourite to face him at WrestleMania this year.
Many in WWE want Jay White to be signed
WWE always have an eye on the top stars in other companies, and NJPW is no different. Jay White is doing really well in Japan, and the management is looking to put together a package for him as per Sportskeeda's very own Tom Colohue.
His recent exclusive made it clear that the management were keen on getting the NJPW star. Now on Dropkick DiSKussions has revealed that not just the management, but also several Superstars are desperate to work with White. He said:
There are so many people in the WWE, not just management, but also the wrestlers themselves who are desperate to work with Jay White. He is seen as the perfect WWE heel and I think a lot of that is because he is the perfect heel. He is the most despicable man it is possible to be. He is creepy, he is slimy, he is arrogant, he is magnificent in every possible way. It’s just perfection! I cannot hate him more. Great work.
