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We welcome you to another massive installment of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup. The headline itself should have given you a clear idea regarding the major stories that have been covered in today's lineup.
The roundup kicks off with a former WWE star revealing how Goldberg allegedly refused to win a big streak-ending match. The 50-year-old veteran also spoke about Stephanie McMahon assuring him of a 'lifelong' WWE job weeks before his release.
Becky Lynch's name continues to be in the news, but it isn't about her return to the ring this time. Lynch seems to have genuinely disliked a well-known superstar over an incident that happened last year.
We also have all the fresh updates on Daniel Bryan's status and how he has been removed from the company's projects following the expiration of his WWE contract.
Roman Reigns will indeed have the most prominent marquee match at SummerSlam, and WWE has reportedly already locked in a monumental opponent for The Tribal Chief.
The roundup wraps up with all the latest details on Bayley's injury status and backstage reaction to the untimely setback.
#5 Goldberg did not want to end a former WWE Superstar's undefeated streak
Goldberg is one of those legendary stars who has had contrasting reputations on TV and outside the ring. While Goldberg is respected by his peers within the industry, the WWE Hall of Famer has also faced a wide range of accusations from a section of the fanbase for his body of work.
Many people might be quick to label Goldberg a star who didn't want to lose many matches, but there was one instance where the WWE Hall of Famer wasn't too keen on winning against another star.
Former WWE star Rodney Mack (real name Rodney Begnaud) spoke to Wrestling Inc's Nick Hausman and revealed how Goldberg wasn't in favor of going over in their match.
Rodney Mack was involved in a race-related WWE storyline in 2003, and the company booked him to have an undefeated streak over many white competitors as part of the 'White Boy Challenge.'
Goldberg ended Rodney Mack's run of wins and was allegedly apprehensive about the victory. Mack recalled having a solid relationship with Goldberg as they hit it off instantly following their first meeting in the WWE.
Mack revealed that the former Universal Champion didn't want to end the streak, and Rodney was nowhere near to the top in the company to force a change to WWE's creative plans.
"It was great to work with Goldberg," Mack said. "Bill's a great guy; I remember I was one of the first guys he met coming through the locker room in WWE. We just hit it off right off the bat, but it's really easy to do that since Bill's a great guy. You know, he didn't really want to do it [end the streak].... But I'm like, 'I'm not in a position to make a decision on that.'"
Mack also disclosed that Stephanie McMahon assured him and his wife Jazz that they had WWE jobs for life.
However, Stephanie McMahon's assurances came weeks before the stars were fired. Mack and Jazz spent two years with WWE before getting released in 2004, and the couple was also well-liked backstage.
Seventeen years have passed since Mack's WWE release, and he still has no idea why the company abruptly fired him and his wife.
"I have no idea, still to this day," Mack said. "Jazz and I both were told; I think it was by Stephanie. She pulled us to the side and said that we had a job for life. We were great to be around. We were the two most believable people on the roster. All that stuff. I think it was three weeks later or a month or something, not precise, that we got fired. In fact, I think it was right before my birthday."
During the interview, Rodney Mack also discussed the one regret he had regarding Goldberg and his brief time in WWE.
#4 Matt Riddle on real feud with Seth Rollins in WWE, why Becky Lynch didn't like him, the apology, and more
The real-life heat between Seth Rollins and Matt Riddle in the WWE dates back to October 2020 when the Original Bro's wife, Lisa, body-shamed the female roster and used a photo of Becky Lynch to accompany her lengthy statement.
Seth Rollins would later publicly reveal that he had no intentions of ever wrestling Matt Riddle. In due time, other explosive details were disclosed about the volatile relationship between the two WWE Superstars.
Matt Riddle recently spoke to talkSPORT's Alex McCarthy and set the record straight regarding the aftermath of his real-life heat with Seth Rollins.
The former WWE United States Champion started by saying that he and Seth Rollins might never become best friends as they are two very distinct personalities. Riddle then admitted that his wife's unwanted comments didn't go down well with Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
While Riddle was sure that Seth Rollins was not a happy man, the former UFC fighter felt Becky Lynch also grew to dislike him after the incident. He completely understood the reasons that fueled the reported hostility.
"I'll be honest, I've met Seth multiple times, and he's met me, and I don't think we'll ever be best friends [laughs]. I don't think we like one another; we're just two different people. [Although] we both love wrestling," said Riddle. "I know my significant other said something about Becky that they didn't like, and I also did not like or agree with. Seth didn't like me after that, and I don't think Becky liked me or my wife either, which is understandable. It is what it is."
Riddle then spoke about his unsuccessful attempt to have a word with Seth Rollins after last year's WWE Survivor Series show. The former WWE champion got himself eliminated early from the traditional men's match.
Matt Riddle wasn't sure whether Rollins' quick ouster had anything to do with the former Shield member's reluctance to do a spot together.
"After Survivor Series… I tried to talk to Seth beforehand, but he kind of avoided me, and he did bow out early [in the match]. "I don't know if he did that because he didn't want to work with me or whatever because there was three other guys in the match. He could have done something. He was in there with Sheamus; he could have done a spot."
The former WWE NXT Tag Team Champion was persistent, and he eventually got the much-needed chat with Seth Rollins at WWE Survivor Series itself. Riddle told the cameras backstage to stay away, and he went on to have an honest conversation with Rollins.
The usually goofy star offered a serious apology to Seth Rollins and also apologized on his wife Lisa's behalf. Riddle even praised the former WWE Universal Champion's skills and expressed his desire to work together in the WWE despite Rollins' straightforward denial in the past.
"After Survivor Series, because he was there, I got to talk to him, and I said 'Hey,' and a camera came up to us to film it, and I said 'No, don't come over here, don't film this. It's between me and him.' "We talked. I told him – and this is exactly what I said – I said, 'Hey man, what was said, I don't agree with it. I thought it was bullcrap. It's not cool. I just want you to know I apologise; I apologise on her behalf as well. "On top of that, I think you're a great performer, and if you would ever have it in your heart to work with me, I would love that."
Matt Riddle also congratulated Seth Rollins on Becky Lynch's pregnancy and gave his best wishes before the veteran's planned hiatus from WWE. The Messiah was surprised by Riddle's sincere message, and it helped them settle their differences as two mature individuals.
"And, I know you're taking some time off because Becky is pregnant, about to have a kid, just want to wish you luck, congratulations, enjoy your time with your beautiful girlfriend – at the time, now wife – and your beautiful child.' "And he literally looked at me, and he goes 'Holy s***. I didn't expect that. Everything I hear from people and what I expected… that was really cool. Thank you.' And that's where we ended it. "I said, 'Thank you for listening and giving me the time, bro. I hope we're good now.' And I will say this; we're good enough to be working together, I don't think we're friends"
Matt Riddle also revealed how he absorbed a stiff Curb Stomp from Seth Rollins at the last Royal Rumble show, and he intends on getting some payback whenever they cross paths next in a WWE ring.
"I'll tell you this, that last curb stomp he gave me at the Royal Rumble; we're not friends [laughs]. When I get in the ring with him, he's going to get it! Put that online! Can we get back in the ring? I need to repay that curb stomp, bro!"
Matt Riddle and Seth Rollins may never become best friends, but it's heartening to know that saner heads prevailed and the top WWE stars ultimately squashed their beef. For Becky Lynch, all roads lead to an impending return, and fans should keep a close eye on WWE TV as we approach WWE Money in the Bank.
#3 Order to remove Daniel Bryan from ongoing WWE-related projects; the reason behind name-drops on TV
Daniel Bryan is yet to re-sign with WWE, and speculation about the legendary free agent's status is still widely discussed online.
Bryan has not been seen on SmackDown since being 'banished' from the blue brand at the end of April after another crushing defeat to Roman Reigns. Despite WWE's efforts to retain Daniel Bryan's services, the former WWE Champion has reportedly decided to take a different path.
The company, however, has deployed two contrasting plans involving Daniel Bryan. During a recent Wrestling Observer Live show, Bryan Alvarez revealed that WWE personnel handling current company-related projects outside the ring were told to remove Daniel Bryan.
While Alvarez did not know the nature of the projects, video games and other WWE products could potentially be without Daniel Bryan's presence. Here's what Alvarez reported:
"I'm not sure if it's a video game or what it is, but one of these projects that involves - obviously the wrestlers in WWE; they were alerted today that this person, this person, this person, this person is no longer with WWE. One of the people they mentioned was Daniel Bryan. Realistically, he's not with the company. That is also an indication that at this point, take him out of whatever project because he's out of the company."
Despite losing his status as a WWE superstar months ago, Daniel Bryan's name has been mentioned during the ongoing storyline development for Roman Reigns' Money in the Bank program with Edge.
Dave Meltzer explained that frequent name-drops should not be misunderstood as a hint towards Daniel Bryan's WWE return as the company and the respected veteran have been highly secretive about any potential negotiations.
#2 Roman Reigns' SummerSlam opponent' locked in' by WWE
Based on all the rumors going around, this year's SummerSlam show is shaping up to be one of the biggest WWE pay-per-views in recent memory. As expected, WWE has earmarked Roman Reigns for a deserving spot in the main event.
As of this writing, WWE has reportedly locked in John Cena vs. Roman Reigns as the headliner for SummerSlam. Dave Meltzer reported on the marquee match in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and brought up John Cena's filming schedule and how the Hollywood star can make some time for the WWE.
The 16-time WWE champion is slated to begin shooting for the spy-thriller movie "Argylle." The positive takeaway is the apparent hope that Cena could make himself available for a SummerSlam date with WWE's Tribal Chief.
"No word on when he shows up for television, but Cena is free of responsibilities for acting work at this point and until after SummerSlam. Cena vs. Reigns is locked in as the main event for the show. However, Cena is in a movie called "Argylle," a spy thriller which will be shooting in Europe in August. It's possible he could start after or end prior to the date, or even get a few days off," said Meltzer.
WWE officials have all but confirmed plans for Roman Reigns and John Cena to rekindle their brief but hard-hitting feud from 2017. However, the storyline and character dynamics are entirely different this time around.
Are you excited about the planned SummerSlam main event?
#1 Backstage WWE updates and reactions on Bayley's injury, expected recovery
WWE suffered another inopportune injury setback as Bayley tore her ACL in a 'freak accident' while training at the Performance Center. The incident happened during mandatory WWE-sanctioned training before returning to the road.
WWE removed Bayley from the SmackDown Women's title match for MITB, and PWInsider was the first to confirm the seriousness of Bayley's injury with the following report:
The word making the rounds is that Bayley has suffered a torn ACL. It was suffered earlier this week during training at the WWE Performance Center.
Fightful Select provided a more detailed report that covered the initial backstage reactions to Bayley's injury and how it affected the plans on SmackDown.
It was revealed that Bayley's "knee popped" during a training session with another WWE star. The report also addressed backstage speculation on how Bayley's absence could have also changed WWE's direction for 'incoming talent.'
The report added that the two wrestlers, whose names weren't revealed, openly expressed their frustrations about the lack of depth in WWE's female roster. The company was apparently left scrambling to search for a suitable replacement for Bayley.
One talent put Bayley over in a massive way by crediting the former SmackDown Women's Champion for carrying the company through one of the most challenging times ever in the wrestling business. Bayley was recognized backstage as someone who did more than was what asked of her, and WWE officials also found it easy to deal with the highly likeable superstar.
Another star stated that the panic caused backstage by Bayley's unplanned hiatus resulted from WWE's inability to create an extensive enough roster with a wide range of talent.
The unfortunate bottom line is that Bayley could miss nearly nine months of action to rehabilitate from a severe ACL tear. The superstar, however, was at her optimistic best as she sent an encouraging message on social media following WWE's final SmackDown show at the ThunderDome.
