WWE Rumor Roundup: Heartbreaking update on AJ Styles' career, Former WWE Champion intends to return with brand new look - 5th January 2020

Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE rumor roundup where we try and bring you the biggest updates from the world of sports entertainment.

Royal Rumble is right around the corner and the excitement is high for the road to WrestleMania. A former WWE Champion and veteran has made it clear that he wants to make a return at the grandest stage of them all.

Meanwhile, we also look at a legendary WWE Superstar who could be the next to join the AEW bandwagon among 3 other Superstars. So without any further ado, let's jump in:

#6 AJ Styles nearing the end of his career

The Phenomenal One AJ Styles has enthralled the wrestling fans for around 20 years. Not only did he make a mark for himself in ROH, TNA and NJPW, but the former Bullet Club member is also a multi-time WWE Champion.

However, the 42-year-old has stated that he believes he is nearing the end of his career while speaking on the Busted Open Radio podcast. The RAW Superstar who is a member of the OC stated that he can't do the things he was once able to do inside the ring.

“I think I am. You know, Mark [Henry], you get older. You go, ‘Where the freak did my energy go? Why don’t I have that useless burst of energy that I had way back when.’ You can see that starting to deplete and I’ve said this before, I don’t want to be that AJ Styles that everybody goes, ‘Wow, I wish he could still do that’ or, ‘Oh wow, he’s really slow.’ I don’t want that. I wanna be the AJ Styles that people will remember and go out that way. Will I be like I was when I was 25? There’s no way. It’s just not possible." ( H/T:Post Wresting.)

#5 Hulk Hogan looking to return

Former WWE Champion and Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan took to Twitter to show off his new ripped look. The Hulkster also made it clear that he intends to return to WWE and wants to be part of WrestleMania 36.

They said 4 months light weight then 6 months I could train slowly again after back surgery number 10, buuuttt at 7 weeks 4 days my MANIACS can see I’m on the grind with my pizump on brother! I mean PLIZEASE Wrestlemania is right around the corner Brother! HollyWoodHH4Life

They said 4 months light weight then 6 months I could train slowly again after back surgery number 10, buuuttt at 7 weeks 4days my MANIACS can see I’m on the grind with my pizump on brother! I mean PLIZEASE Wrestlemania is right around the corner Brother! HollyWoodHH4Life pic.twitter.com/nd1ccTy7kS

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) January 4, 2020

Hulk Hogan had undergone a major surgery recently, and Eric Bischoff stated that Hogan is learning to walk again. But if his latest post is anything to go by, then not only has the veteran learnt to walk again but he is also rearing to go inside the ring.

It would be a long-shot to think that WWE will allow Hulk Hogan to make an in-ring return anytime soon, but the Hulk-a-maniacs would surely love to see him back inside the ring soon.

#4 Matt Hardy heading to AEW?

As reported by The Observer, there is a high chance that former ECW Champion Matt Hardy heads to AEW once his WWE contract expires this year. Hardy has been vocal about his displeasure in the manner in which WWE has been using him and with his contract coming up soon, the veteran will look to regain his momentum once again.

The report also stated that Luke Harper and The Revival are also AEW bound.

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#3 Io Shirai to be called up to the main roster

Dave Meltzer of The Observer has revealed that Japanese promotion Bushiroad is very keen on signing Kairi Sane and Io Shirai, and are willing to give them hefty contracts.

However, WWE are likely to up their offers to the two women and may even call-up Io Shirai to the main roster.

“Io may be moved to the main roster real quick to keep that from happening because then her pay goes way up because her pay in NXT is nothing special. I heard she was making more money [with STARDOM]." (h/t: WrestlingNewsCo.)

#2 Baron Corbin reveals the reason for cutting his hair

Baron Corbin, who won the 2019 King of the Ring tournament, recently spoke to Peter Rosenburg on his podcast Cheap Heat. The 'King' of SmackDown used to have long hair in NXT and during his early days in WWE but decided to chop off his locks to sport a bald look.

Corbin revealed the reason behind his decision to make this drastic change:

It was that time [for it to go]. And also, it's a nightmare having the long hair because, first of all, you are pouring like 40 gallons of conditioner in there all the time when you are wrestling, otherwise, you are going to choke and die on it. It's funny because you have to learn the ways of how to deal with your hair, so I got leave-in conditioner the first time and it dried out immediately. So I said, 'Okay, that didn't work.' So you're out there buying all these kinds of conditioners just to try and keep your hair wet.

It's a dead giveaway when you are out in public and have long hair. [People] immediately gravitate towards you and ask if you are a pro wrestler. So, those are the kinds of conversations that I don't want to have.

#1 Vince McMahon's reaction to major botch

Former WWE Superstar Kaitlyn was recently a guest on the Ring The Belle YouTube show and spoke about the time she had accidentally won a battle royal match to become the number one contender for the Divas Championship.

The match was supposed to be won by Eve Torres, but Kaitlyn ended up knocking Torres out of the ring with her clothesline. While one would expect Vince McMahon to be furious at the botch, he 'laughed hysterically' instead.

“I legit thought that when I walked back through the curtain that I was going to be fired. That was right on the cusp of the Divas getting more opportunities, so I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve f***** everything up.’ I walked back and Vince is laughing hysterically. I was like, ‘Is it an evil laugh, or…?!’

“There were a lot of people who thought I didn’t deserve it because I was still so new, I hadn’t proved myself, but there was also a lot of people that were like, ‘Congratulations, this is your opportunity. Take it.’”