'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We're back once again with the latest edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup. As always, we've picked out the biggest stories doing the rounds in the WWE.
The company renamed a popular move and that's got the fans talking about the reason behind the unexpected change.
A retired Superstar also sounded very optimistic about a potential in-ring return. There has also been speculation about a new stable debuting which could be helmed by a veteran Superstar.
Triple H also addressed rumors of his demotion on the most recent episode of SmackDown. A fan-favourite Superstar has also been given the power to plan his storylines, which is an uncommon scenario in the WWE. A former champion trademarked a name which he could use once he leaves the company.
As you may have noticed, we've got tons of intriguing stories to cover. Let's get down to business.
#6. Matt Hardy comments on WWE renaming the 'Twist of Fate'
Jeff Hardy returned on the latest SmackDown episode and was booked to go over King Corbin on his first night back on WWE TV.
It's interesting to note that Michael Cole referred to the 'Twist of Fate' as the 'Twist of Fury' and the fans began wondering whether Matt Hardy trademarked the move before he left the company recently.
That is not the case, however, as Matt took to Twitter to dispel all the rumors regarding his finisher's new name, which is also Jeff Hardy's signature move.
Matt explained that WWE and Jeff are free to use the name 'Twist of Fate' and he expressed his happiness at seeing his brother back in action on the Blue Brand.
He added that the decision to change the name came from the WWE's end.
While Jeff Hardy seems to be on the receiving end of another push from the WWE, Matt is widely expected to join AEW soon.
#5. Paige is optimistic about a possible in-ring return
Paige was supposed to return at the historic empty-arena edition of SmackDown, however, she couldn't make it due to Coronavirus-related travel concerns.
The former Divas Champion was interviewed by Inside The Ropes and she opened up about possibly returning to the squared circle someday.
Paige stated that there is always a chance that she could wrestle again as she believes in the adage, 'never say never', however, an in-ring return may not happen anytime soon.
The Anti-Diva underwent neck surgery in August last year and it's still too soon for her to think about lacing up her wrestling boots again. Paige did mention that she feels fantastic and any talk about an in-ring comeback depends on how the future pans out.
"I think it is always a possibility one day, you can never say never. It's not going to be any time soon. That's mostly all I can say about it, it's really hard because I just had a neck surgery in August. My neck is just getting healthier quicker the second time around which is crazy, I feel absolutely fantastic. So, we'll see where it goes."
Paige has not wrestled a match since December 2017, however, she has taken up various non-wrestling roles in the company in the past three years. While the 27-year-old Superstar may not be able to wrestle anytime soon, there is always a possibility of a miracle happening, especially when you take Daniel Bryan and Edge's feel-good stories into consideration.
As of this writing, Paige has not been cleared to wrestle by the WWE doctors.
#4. Triple H comments on his reported demotion
It was revealed in WWE's recent SEC filing that Triple H was handed a new job title and he is now the Executive Vice President of Global Talent and Strategy for the company.
The Cerebral Assassin was earlier the EVP of Talent, Live Events and Creative until he was given a new role, which entails him operating NXT, trying to secure NXT TV rights and overseas deals and the creation of strategies for the worldwide expansion of the brand.
It was reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that people both internally and externally have labelled the new title as a 'quiet demotion'.
Triple H made a joke about the report while he was on commentary with Michael Cole on the most recent SmackDown episode.
The Game said, "I'm not really that busy at all! I'm the only man in the history of the world that can get demoted and get busier, apparently, I don't know, but here I am."
Triple H is indeed a busy man as he is also tasked with setting up new WWE Performance Centers across the world, as revealed by PWInsider.
The former WWE Champion's new role may sound like a demotion as he won't be negotiating with talent going forward. However, he also has important new targets to achieve and based on his exceptional work in developing NXT, we can safely assume that he will do a fine job.
#3. Update on MVP's reported new faction
MVP made an appearance on the latest episode of RAW and he came up with a business proposition for Edge. The former United States Champion wanted the Rated-R Superstar to be the first member of his proposed new stable. MVP, however, caught Edge on a bad day as he was viciously taken out with a few RKOs and the con-chair-to.
It should be noted that MVP has been actively pushing to have a new faction of his own on RAW, however, Tom Colohue told Korey Gunz on Sportskeeda's Dropkick DiSKussions podcast that the WWE currently has no plans to have another faction.
At the moment, there are no plans to give him a faction of any sort but he keeps alluding to that himself, and it's something he's pushing for and it's something that could really work. You can see him with Bobby Lashley, for example.
Although that doesn't work at the moment because of Lana. But there are quite a few people, unfortunately, on RAW and on SmackDown, who don't feel that confident with a microphone in their hands. MVP could do them a world of good and he's pitching that and I don't think it's a bad idea.
The 46-year-old was originally only brought back for the Royal Rumble, however, plans changed and he has been given various roles and it looks certain that he will be a long-term fixture backstage in the WWE.
#2. Dash Wilder's post-WWE name possibly revealed
Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson of The Revival are expected to leave the company in June and the tag team have already begun preparing for their post-WWE phase.
Dash Wilder filed a trademark for the name 'Cash Wheeler' and the speculation is that it could be his in-ring name after he gets released from the company.
Both Wilder and Dawson have also filed for a trademark on 'Top Guys', and after rejecting countless offers from the WWE, the duo is waiting for its deals to expire.
The tag team and WWE have also been in a reported trademark battle of late and Wilder even took to Twitter to take a shot at the company.
#1. Daniel Bryan's backstage influence
Daniel Bryan has reached that phase of his career where his word matters backstage in the WWE.
The highly-respected Superstar reportedly has a big say in all of his storylines, particularly his ongoing angle with Drew Gulak.
Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue spoke about Daniel Bryan's creative freedom on the latest edition of the Dropkick DiSKussions podcast.
"Daniel Bryan is really involved in the planning of this feud and in fact in the planning for a lot of his feuds recently. You find it popular and often when someone wins the championship they'll get asked, who do you want to work with, whereas with Daniel Bryan there is no Championship involved, he's still going out and saying, I want to work with this person, I want to work with this person and Drew Gulak looked amazing throughout this whole match."
Daniel Bryan made Drew Gulak look like a million bucks at Elimination Chamber, as the two Superstars put on the match of the night. Gulak and Bryan will work together moving forward on SmackDown and the alliance should ideally elevate Gulak to the next level.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
