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Welcome back to another edition of our daily WWE Rumor Roundup. The company is getting ready for the TLC PPV, and all the focus is currently on rebounding from last week's all-time low RAW ratings.
In addition to the backstage reactions to the RAW numbers, several other stories were also discussed fervently across the internet.
A popular Kevin Owens move was retired by himself due to its unsafe nature. A top WWE Superstar from RAW will be a free agent in August, but WWE is already working on locking him down to a lucrative new contract.
Braun Strowman has been away from the WWE for a few weeks, but the Monster Among Men looks set to make his return based on his social media activity. An injured former Tag Team Champion is also expected to return to the ring in 2021.
Let's cover each story in detail. Here is the latest WWE Rumor Roundup:
#5. Kevin Owens retired a signature move himself; why he would have never done it in the WWE
Kevin Owens has one of the most diverse move sets in the WWE as the former Universal Champion can do it all. He can go the aerial route while also having the power moves in his arsenal to shut an opponent down.
Kevin Owens used the Steenalizer as his signature move before he signed with the WWE, and it's one of the most destructive maneuvers to watch if you haven't seen it already.
During a recent interview with Fightful.com's Sean Ross Sapp, Kevin Owens revealed that he decided to retire the Steenalizer himself. Do check out the video above for the full conversation.
Kevin Owens said that there were a few close calls when he delivered the move, and he had concerns about the well-being of the performers who were on the receiving end. KO said that he would not take the move himself as it was quite dangerous to execute.
Here's a video of Kevin Owens (then known as Kevin Steen) performing the Steenalizer.
In the end, Owens made the call to retire the move for good. KO also said that he would have never done the Steenalizer in the WWE as the Superstars work four to five times a week, and having such risky moves isn't conducive to the long-term prospects of a performer.
"I retired that one myself, actually. I had a couple of close calls where everybody I gave it to was fine, but I felt like it was too close that maybe it wouldn't have been fine. And I would be upfront with everybody I was going to give that move to that, 'Hey, it's kind of crazy. I wouldn't take it. So, (laughs), if you don't want to take it, tell me.' And I've never had anybody tell me no. And, you know, most times it was fine. And, I mean, it was literally fine every time. But, I felt that a couple of times, it was a close call, and it's just not worth it in the end. So, I retired that one myself. But yeah, it is obviously something I won't do in the WWE because you know we do this, or at least we used to this four or five times a week, every week, and it's not a move you want to give people that work that hard and put their bodies through that much punishment on a daily basis, you know."
Kevin Owens is currently scheduled to face Roman Reigns in a Universal title match at TLC.
#4. Jey Uso provides an update on Jimmy Uso's in-ring WWE return
Jey Uso is having the time of his life as Roman Reigns' right-hand man on WWE SmackDown. However, the fans are eagerly waiting for The Bloodline to reunite and embark on a dominant run as a top heel faction.
Jimmy Uso has been out of action since WrestleMania 36 after suffering a knee injury. However, Jimmy has appeared during Jey Uso's matches against Roman Reigns, and he would be ready to make his full-time return in 2021.
During a recent chat with Prosiebenmaxx on Instagram (check out the video above), Jey Uso provided an update on his brother's WWE return. Jey Uso said that Jimmy Uso should be back by January/February of 2021.
"Definitely soon, man. January/February, I'm going to say. He's doing really good, Uce. He's ready to get back, you know. He's watching me every week, you know. He is inspiring me. I call him after every; he's calling me after every SmackDown, you know, telling me what I did wrong, what was dope. Just everything, being a brother, man. I can't wait to have him back here on the road with me."
The six-time WWE tag team Champion has been away from the ring due to a knee injury, and the expected plan is for him to join Roman Reigns' heel action along with his brother Jey Uso.
2021 could be The Bloodline's year.
#3. Big Braun Strowman update ahead of his impending WWE return
Braun Strowman has been out of action since being suspended for attacking Adam Pearce. The storyline suspension is reportedly a cover-up for a minor injury, and Strowman is expected to be back to build towards WWE Royal Rumble.
The former Universal Champion dropped a big update on social media by revealing his jacked new look. Strowman posted a video on Twitter, and the Monster Among Men looked absolutely ripped. Strowman's tweet was accompanied by the caption, "I AM #INEVITABLE, and soon I will snap my fingers!!!!!"
Could WWE use the new masked look of Braun Strowman when he makes his TV return? Only time will tell.
There is speculation that Bruan Strowman could be back to begin the build-up for a potential WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre.
Drew McIntyre is the odds-on favorite to retain the title against AJ Styles at TLC, and WWE would need a significant challenger for the Champion for Royal Rumble. With RAW ratings at an all-time low, WWE would be looking to get Strowman back on TV sooner rather than later.
We could see Strowman make his comeback on the RAW after TLC, and it would be interesting to see how WWE utilizes the revitalized Monster from a creative standpoint.
#2. Backstage reaction in WWE to all-time RAW viewership and ratings, USA Network furious
The last episode of WWE RAW drew an all-time low average viewership of 1.527 million viewers. The figure saw a 12% drop from last week's number of 1.737 million. The record-low viewership and ratings for RAW have unsurprisingly not been well-received behind the scenes.
Alex McCarthy of TalkSPORT reported that USA Network is reportedly furious with the dismal RAW figures. The USA Network officials want WWE to have more adult content, not the 'sexy adult' but 'dark and violent adult' content.
USA Network is very concerned about the RAW ratings' downward trajectory. However, people in WWE see Royal Rumble as a giant reset. The belief is that Royal Rumble and the build for the massive PPV would steady the ship.
The low RAW numbers served as a major jolt to the higher-ups in the WWE management, and it was noted by WrestlingNews.co that Vince McMahon is looking to shake things up on the RAW after TLC.
WrestleVotes noted that the ratings did get the top-ranking officials' attention, and a few 'reactionary decisions' could be in store for the Red brand.
The fans should brace themselves for new angles, significant returns, and a few potential special appearances in the weeks to follow.
#1. Riddle's contract to expire in August; details of his new WWE deal revealed
It's been nearly six months since Riddle's move to the main roster, and the King of Bros as endured a topsy-turvy ride following a successful WWE NXT stint.
Riddle is presently a RAW Superstar and en route towards United States Championship match against Bobby Lashley.
Dave Meltzer revealed in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Riddle's WWE contract would end in August.
It was also reported that the WWE is already working towards locking down Riddle for the next three years. The company has a three-year deal worth $1.2 million on the table, with an additional $50,000 bonus for every Saudi Arabia show that he attends.
It was added that Riddle has 'pretty much' agreed to terms for a new deal, and he would stand to gain $400,000 per year.
Meltzer reported the following:
The company is working on locking down Riddle, whose contract is up in August. It's said he's pretty much agreed to terms for a three-year deal at $400,000 per year guaranteed plus $50,000 for every show in Saudi Arabia.
It was also revealed that Vince McMahon doesn't fully understand Riddle's 'Bro gimmick,' but the WWE Boss finds the former NXT Superstar's vignettes hilarious.
The story is that Vince doesn't understand his bro gimmick but loves the vignettes he's doing as he finds them hilarious. Unfortunately, that's R-Truth territory as far as lower card comedy positioning.
Riddle is reportedly penciled in to face Bobby Lashley for the US Title at the Royal Rumble PPV.
