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Welcome back to another edition of Sportskeeda's Daily Rumor Roundup, and just like every single day, we take a look at the biggest stories doing the rounds in the WWE.
The company has reportedly prepared a shortlist of released Superstars who they want to get back after the pandemic is behind us.
There was a rumor about WWE being secretive about the retirement plans of a popular Superstar. There was also a big update about Roman Reigns and how the WWE is gearing up for a future without The Big Dog. Regarding Reigns' return, Otis revealed what he'd do to Reigns when the Big Dog makes his WWE return.
The company is also interested in getting back a former WWE Superstar and they are hoping to pitch new contract offers in a bid to convince him.
Last but not the least, there was a disconcerting story about Vince McMahon not being too sold on a top heel from RAW, who is incidentally quite well-liked by Paul Heyman.
It's a wholesome WWE Rumor Roundup today.
#6 WWE has prepared a shortlist of released Superstars who they want to rehire
While the ongoing pandemic has made it painstakingly difficult for WWE to operate all aspects of its business, the officials are already setting up plans for the post-COVID phase.
WWE recently released various Superstars to cut costs but a few of them could be on their way back.
WWE wants to rehire a few recently released Superstars
Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue reported in his new YouTube video that the company has created a shortlist of released talents who they wish to rehire soon. The list does not include NXT Superstars who were released. It was also noted that WWE would also not try and get back those Superstars who wanted to leave.
Tom revealed the following:
The WWE, including what's happening with Drew Gulak, have a shortlist prepared of names of people that have been released who they may want to rehire in the future after the coronavirus pandemic is lessened or at least is not so prevalent that they are able to do that without affecting their bottom line. There are people they do not plan to rehire under any circumstances and people who did choose to leave and this is why they are not to immediately trying to rehire Drew Gulak now. At the moment, the shortlist of people they want to bring back at some point in the future, or at least hope to be able to, does not include anyone who has been released from NXT thus far.
#5 WWE is reportedly being secretive backstage about The Undertaker's retirement plan
The Undertaker is in the news a lot these days due to the ongoing documentary about his illustrious career. The fans have witnessed two episodes of the WWE Network special - 'Undertaker: The Last Ride' - and there are obvious hints that The Deadman could finally hang up his boots.
The Phenom and WWE, however, have kept everyone guessing about their next move.
Paul Davis of WrestlingNews.co has revealed that WWE is trying to keep the Undertaker's retirement date a secret backstage. The writing staff has also not been told about the plans for the Undertaker as the company fears that it may get leaked.
Davis noted:
I was told that everyone on the writing staff is being kept in the dark on Taker’s in-ring status, specifically because they don’t want leaks to get out.
WWE has been hinting towards having a rematch between The Undertaker and AJ Styles but could the rumored match be The Deadman's swan song? It's really tough to predict at this point as the WWE Management is also of the opinion that The Undertaker can have one final run if they follow the Boneyard match pattern.
All we can do is wait and see what the WWE has in store for The Undertaker and his fans.
#4 WWE could be preparing for a future without Roman Reigns
Not a single day goes by without the WWE Universe pondering over a new update about Roman Reigns' status. The latest report from Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue, however, may not please The Big Dog's fans.
Tom revealed that WWE is preparing for a future without Roman Reigns and that doesn't mean he is leaving the company or being released. The WWE management reportedly knows that Roman Reigns will not be back anytime soon and the writers have been told to create storylines without keeping him in mind.
Tom explained:
After he chose not to return to the company and compete at WrestleMania, and of course, the weeks advancing, the WWE has since then been creating storylines without factoring him in at all. I have been told and I quote, 'The WWE is preparing for a future without Roman Reigns.'
This doesn't mean he is leaving the company. This doesn't mean he has been released. It just means that for the foreseeable future, the creative team have been told, 'don't expect Roman Reigns back', and as such, they are writing storylines with that in mind. Doesn't mean they can't make a sudden change as they have done in the past, but it does mean, at least for a little while, we can expect to not see Roman Reigns on our TV screens.
#3 Otis reveals what he will do to Roman Reigns after his WWE return
Otis is inarguably one of the most popular Superstars across all brands in the WWE. Mr. Money in the Bank spoke to a few journalists recently and Sportskeeda's Riju Dasgupta asked him about the backstage reaction to Roman Reigns' hiatus.
Otis said that Reigns is loved by everyone backstage and they all genuinely miss him. Otis went on to add that he will give Reigns a big bear hug when he returns to SmackDown.
Roman's just beloved by everybody. The company keeps on going, the train keeps going on. I can't tell you how many times it's been a joy just seeing him around. For a guy who's at the top of his game, he is genuinely loved by everybody. We genuinely miss him. There's a lot of backstage laughs that we probably miss without him.
When he comes back, it's going to be even sweeter. I'll give him a nice big bear hug when I see him. Squeeze him. Not too hard but give him a little squeeze. He doesn't like my bear hugs too much. But yeah. It's going to be great seeing him back and I hope he stays safe, baby.
We just have one thing to say about that - Oh Yeah!
#2 Vince McMahon is not sold on Shayna Baszler as a top heel
Shayna Baszler hasn't quite replicated her NXT success on the main roster and that's surprising to note as The Queen of Spades was believed to be pushed as a top Superstar on RAW.
Paul Davis of WrestlingNews.co reports that Vince McMahon is still unsure about Baszler being pushed as a top heel.
I was told that Baszler will eventually move into the title picture this year but McMahon is still not 100 per cent sold on her as a top heel.
While Paul Heyman is a fan of Baszler, McMahon is still not convinced about the former NXT Champion as a heel and that has already led to the WWE boss nixing two of her previously planned victories.
Shayna Baszler was originally scheduled to win the Money in the Bank match, however, WWE changed the plan and handed Asuka the briefcase, and also the title after Becky Lynch announced her pregnancy.
Baszler will still be in the title picture this year but she may not get as big a push as the fans may have imagined.
#1 More backstage details on Drew Gulak's status and possible return
Drew Gulak is currently a free agent after his contract expired after last week's episode of SmackDown. Gulak reportedly asked for a pay raise and WWE ended up rejecting his request.
WWE, however, may still be interested in getting him back.
Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue revealed on the latest edition of the Dropkick DiSKussions podcast that WWE officials still have a high opinion of Gulak and they will pitch him more contract offers.
Colohue revealed that WWE's original plan was to let Gulak leave on his back and this was decided when he moved to SmackDown in 2019. Daniel Bryan pitched an interesting storyline featuring Drew Gulak and WWE decided to run with it, with the idea that the angle could convince Gulak to sign a new deal.
Gulak and WWE couldn't come to terms on an agreement and the former Cruiserweight Champion made the call to quit.
As stated earlier, WWE does want Gulak to return but the company may not get him back anytime soon as they recently released many Superstars to save money.
Tom explained:
So Drew Gulak was originally in 205 Live but he wasn't used much and when he was, he was Enzo Amore's sidekick. He wasn't happy there so he moved to NXT and he earned rave reviews, particularly for his match against Matt Riddle, which was very impressive, I've got to say.
That earned him a return to 205 Live as a Cruiserweight Champion which I felt was a good run even though it was short. It was around that time they started to talk about contracts but the two parties couldn't agree to negotiations. The plan, as far as WWE were concerned at that point, was to move him to SmackDown in October and have him go out on his back, as is tradition.
So just after he was moved to SmackDown, we saw a lot of him coming out, talking about Powerpoint presentations, getting beat up by Braun Strowman, as an example. That would have been the plan until now when his contract expired if he did not sign a new one. Instead, Daniel Bryan got involved and we talked about him booking more of his own storylines. He pitched a good one and WWE went along with it with the hopes that it would change Drew Gulak's mind. It did not. However, the WWE still has a high opinion of Drew Gulak.
They plan to keep pitching contracts to him but won't bring back right after releasing so many people. So there will be a delay at least. They don't want to be offering him a raise when they have just released people to save money.
