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Welcome back to another edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup. Just as everyone is settling into the new year, WWE is also getting ready for Royal Rumble, and many developments are cropping up with each passing day.
Today's Rumor Roundup has some big stories, and we begin with an update regarding the reported backstage heat between Seth Rollins and a popular Superstar.
A big name, who was on WWE's radar, could end up joining AEW. Another highly-rated talent has attracted WWE's interest.
WWE recently held the Legends Night edition of RAW, and two popular names didn't appear despite being advertised.
It has now been revealed that a former WWE Superstar outrightly rejected the company's offer after hearing the details of his role, while another wasn't even formally invited.
Details of Vince McMahon's opinion of Randy Orton from back in the day have also been revealed. Finally, we end the Roundup with all the information about WWE's nixed plans to introduce a new face in the Roman Reigns storyline on SmackDown.
#5. Update on the backstage beef between Seth Rollins and Riddle in WWE
Seth Rollins' comments that he had no intentions to work with Riddle from back in October 2020 opened a can of worms regarding the backstage relationship between the two WWE Superstars.
It was noted that an Instagram post from Riddle's wife, in which she took a shot at Becky Lynch, was one of the prime reasons behind the beef between Riddle and Rollins. The Original Bro's negative comments about Rollins, as revealed by a fan, didn't help matters either as the speculation about the heat between the Superstars continued to dominate the world of wrestling.
It has now been revealed in a Fightful Select report that Seth Rollins and Riddle might have squashed their beef.
Fightul spoke to sources who were backstage at Survivor Series 2020, and it was revealed that Riddle and Rollins approached each other at the pay-per-view and talked about their issues. The problems were reportedly rectified, and both Superstars seem open to working with each other.
People in WWE noted that while Rollins didn't look at Riddle during their Survivor Series match, the beef between the two seems to have been squashed, and that's great news for the fans.
#4. People in AEW want Tessa Blanchard to join; Update on Jay White's status amid WWE rumors
It doesn't matter if you're just a WWE, AEW, or IMPACT Wrestling fan, Tessa Blanchard remains one of the biggest free agents in professional wrestling, and the speculation about her next destination continues to be discussed in length over the past few months.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that several people in AEW are pulling for Tessa Blanchard to be signed. However, Blanchard's past issues, which include allegations of backstage bullying, might hinder her signing.
Meltzer noted the following:
"While the situation is completely different, AEW has people who really want Tessa Blanchard in but feel that they can't do so."
In other news, Jay White's NJPW contract is reportedly set to expire at the end of the month, and according to Super J-cast, NJPW's unofficial podcast, the belief is that Switchblade won't renew his contract.
It was reported that WWE is making a 'strong play' to sign him, and as things stand, Jay White's future was labeled as a '50-50' situation.
"Several sources have indicated there is some doubt whether Jay White will extend his NJPW contract, rumoured to be up at the end of the month. WWE are believed to be making a strong play for him and it's 50/50 whether he stays or goes."
WrestleVotes also reported that 'few of the boys' in WWE have spoken highly of Jay White, which could prove to be a significant factor that gets the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion to WWE.
"Lots of Jay White / WWE rumors swirling and I can say with certainly that a few of the boys have went out of their way to speak highly of him. And that resonates with some more than others. It's "game" time."
Stay tuned for more updates on the statuses of Jay White and Tessa Blanchard.
#3. Vince McMahon's changed opinion about Randy Orton in WWE
Jim Ross opened up about Randy Orton's WWE signing on the Grilling JR podcast's latest edition. The veteran announcer revealed that Randy Orton was surprisingly a very controversial signing for the company as Vince McMahon wasn't sure about The Viper's prospects in WWE.
"He [Randy Orton] was, believe it or not; he was somewhat of a controversial hire for us."
Vince McMahon, a problem child with a military school background, had qualms about Randy Orton due to The Legend Killer's past. Orton was also a problem child who signed up for the Marines and later discharged.
"Vince was the problem child that went to military school, and Randy was the problem child that went to the Marines and got discharged. Big time [Randy Orton's past was a problem for Vince McMahon]."
Jim Ross revealed that he convinced Vince McMahon to give Randy Orton a chance as the Apex Predator was a third-generation talent from a family that produced great in-ring workers. Vince McMahon changed his stance, and the rest, as they say, is history.
"But, you know, it's one of those deals where you say, look, I said, 'Vince, you got a second chance, so why not this kid?' He's only a third-generation performer, and both his father and his grandfather were outstanding in-ring guys." H/t Danny Hart of Sportskeeda
Thankfully for all involved parties, Randy Orton lived up to all the hype by putting together a WWE career filled with several accomplishments and accolades.
#2. The reason why Carlito didn't appear on the Legends Night episode of WWE RAW
Carlito was one of the several names advertised to appear on the Legends Night episode of RAW, which helped WWE experience a significant bump in the TV ratings.
However, Carlito was nowhere to be seen, and many different reasons started doing the rounds to explain his absence.
Mike Johnson revealed on PWInsider Elite was informed by a source close to the situation that Carlito turned down WWE's offer to return when he was informed that it was just for a cameo appearance. The former WWE United States Champion wasn't willing to travel to Orlando, Florida, for a brief cameo.
Johnson revealed the following:
"I was told Carlito found out he was just getting a cameo, and said 'Hey, but thanks, when you want me to come wrestle or do something, I'm happy to do it. I don't want to travel across the country, just to do a 2 minute cameo." H/t HeelByNature
Candice Michelle was another advertised name that failed to appear on the most recent installment of RAW. The former WWE Women's Champion revealed on the Wrestling Inc. Daily podcast that she was never formally invited to be on RAW and that her name was falsely promoted.
"It was falsely promoted. I was never asked to be there."
Michelle added that she would have been open to appearing on RAW, and she'd be ready to appear for WWE anytime she gets the call.
"I would have loved to be there. I love WWE anytime they call me, super honored to go there, and be called a legend. And as we know, for whatever rhyme or reason, I just wasn't meant for that show."
Despite the absentees, WWE managed to get a spike in the ratings and viewership for RAW.
#1. WWE changes plans for the Roman Reigns storyline
WrestleVotes was the first to report that a WWE NXT Superstar was originally scheduled to be called up and be inserted into the Roman Reigns storyline on the first SmackDown of 2021. However, the plan was nixed, and it was later revealed in a Fightful Select report that the Superstar was Damian Priest.
Dave Meltzer provided more details on the proposed storyline twist in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer confirmed that Damian Priest was scheduled to appear on SmackDown and team up with Kevin Owens to feud against Roman Reigns and Jey Uso. The idea was to bring in Damian Priest as Kevin Owens' best friend. However, KO opined that the concept made no sense as Priest and his characters don't even match enough to be best friends.
Owens proposed another plan wherein WWE officials book the former NXT North American Champion as his tag team partner. It would be WWE's way to protect Owens from getting beaten down every week at the hands of Reigns and Uso.
The plan failed to come to fruition, and Roman Reigns decided that the time wasn't right to introduce a new person into the angle. Both Reigns and Owens agreed that the timing was just not ideal for getting a new face into the main event storyline.
Damian Priest is currently scheduled to join the RAW roster, and he is expected to debut by the end of the month.
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