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All the focus in the WWE is currently towards building up towards the TLC PPV, and the storylines and matches are slowly taking shape on the company's weekly programming. However, beyond all the hype for TLC, several other stories came to light that have been talked about on the internet.
We've picked out five of the biggest stories that have been discussed over the past 24 hours in the latest edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup.
A top WWE Superstar confirmed the company's nixed plan of having a WrestleMania match featuring Vince McMahon. The reason why it got canceled has also been disclosed.
It also seems like John Cena might have saved a few members of the WWE from getting fired by paying their fines.
A current Superstar from RAW was also close to getting ousted by the WWE management if he hadn't come up with his gimmick.
Details of a former WWE Superstar being rejected by AEW have also been revealed.
Ever wondered what Vince McMahon thinks of Riddle? We now have a clear idea of the WWE Boss' opinions on WWE's resident 'bro.'
#5. WWE's nixed plan to have a WrestleMania tag team match featuring Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon last wrestled on an episode of WWE RAW in October 2012. Vince McMahon has kept himself in tremendous shape over the years, and he can indeed have a protected match at the age of 75 years old. However, his in-ring return every nearly happened at WWE WrestleMania 34.
Kevin Owens told ITR Wrestling and SPORF's Kenny McIntosh that the idea was pitched of having a tag team match at WrestleMania 34 featuring Vince McMahon.
The plan was to have Kevin Owens team up with Sami Zayn to take on Vince and Shane McMahon. Unfortunately, the tag team showdown didn't come to fruition as Vince McMahon felt that setting up the WWE WrestleMania show needed his undivided attention. McMahon admitted that he wouldn't have been able to oversee WrestleMania and have a match at the show at the same time.
Owens explained:
"Yeah, that was really cool. I wish it would have led to more, honestly. But who wouldn't feel that way? I think it could have, and I think it almost did. I really think, at one point, there was a chance that it was going to be me and Sami Zayn against Shane and Vince at WrestleMania – which would have been incredible – but Vince, I remember one of the things he had told me was, 'I can't run WrestleMania and focus on a match at the same time.' Ht/ Matt Black of Sportskeeda
Vince McMahon thought that his best role would be away from the ring. Owens, however, noted the importance of having an angle with Vince McMahon. The Prizefighter said that being in the same ring with Vince McMahon elevates a talent's star power and makes them more credible in the casual audience's eyes.
It's been over eight years since we saw Vince McMahon compete in a full-fledged WWE match. Could we see him have another match in the future? If yes, what could it be?
#4. Elias reveals that he was on WWE's 'list to be fired'
Elias has a strong command over his gimmick, and his character legitimately has mainstream potential if given the spotlight to shine. Elias has worked tremendously hard to finetune his gimmick, but the WWE Superstar took a challenging path towards reaching his destination.
Elias was a guest on Lillian Garcia's Chasing Glory podcast, and the RAW Superstar revealed that he was on the 'list to be fired' on multiple occasions during his NXT stint. The people who rejected him during his early WWE tryout were now calling the shots in the company, and Elias was aware of it.
While Elias had some fans backstage, he wasn't received well as he was an outsider. Elias admitted that he walked on eggshells and had extra pressure to develop a gimmick that could genuinely deliver engaging TV.
Thankfully for Elias, he overcame the ups and downs and has had some memorable moments in the WWE.
"One thing I became very aware of is that the people who said 'no' at my tryout, they were now in charge at my job, and their minds didn't change. William Regal always said yes, liked me, and got me through, but the people that said no, they were running the show. I didn't know anybody in the business, so I'm an outsider to their crew, and they can be protective in their circle. I was put on the list to be fired, multiple times in NXT. I was made aware of it two different times. You can imagine walking into work knowing 'that guy right there wants to fire me.' It makes you walk on eggshells; there's extra pressure. There were a lot of ups and downs."
Elias is currently without a definite feud on WWE TV, but his partnership with the returning Jaxson Ryker could lead to an interesting payoff.
#3. AEW reportedly rejected former WWE Tag Team Champion Fred Rosser
Fred Rosser, fka Darren Young, has done well for himself since leaving the WWE in 2017. The former Prime Time Player signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling in August 2020, and he has wrestled several matches on NJPW Strong. It's safe to say that Rosser has looked really impressive during his Japanese excursion. These days, former WWE Superstars can't run away from the AEW question, and Rosser has also been asked the same on several occasions.
Rosser revealed that he tried to get into AEW but was told 'no' by the promotion. Rosser explained that NJPW has always been his end goal. The former WWE Superstar ended the tweet with a dose of motivation.
I get asked a lot why not @AEW ? Well, I tried and I was told NOPE...NOT ☝🏼 but ✌🏼...besides AEW wasn't my end goal it's always been NJPW @njpw1972 🙏🏼 No matter what, don't ever get overwhelmed and decide to throw in the towel. I've still got a lot of work to do! #blockthehate
While AEW has brought in several former WWE talent, the company wasn't interested in getting Rosser on board. However, Rosser can be found on NJPW Strong if you're interested in seeing his evolution since leaving WWE.
#2. Vince McMahon's opinion of Riddle in the WWE
Riddle's journey thus far on the main roster hasn't been all that bad. After all, it could have been much worse when you look at many other former WWE NXT talents and their main roster treatment.
Riddle gets on TV every week, and he is currently being built up for a United States title program with Bobby Lashley. Dave Meltzer reported on the Wrestling Observer Radio that Vince McMahon likes Riddle. The WWE Chairman finds Riddle funny, and while McMahon doesn't completely understand the 'bro' gimmick, the boss finds the character comical and worthy of TV time.
Meltzer explained:
"So Vince doesn't understand Matt Riddle's gimmick, the bros thing, but if you watch the last couple weeks TV you will understand this. Vince thinks Matt Riddle is funny, in his own weird way, so Vince likes the guy.
He's like 'I Don't get the bro thing, but he's funny, we got to keep him on TV.' H/t HeelbyNature
Riddle has bags of charisma, and he has been quite hilarious in recent weeks. While Riddle might not get the main event push, being in the good books of Vince McMahon would guarantee him a safe spot in the upper mid-card.
#1. John Cena reportedly paid fines for a few WWE Superstars who almost got fired
There are many reasons why John Cena is one of the most respected performers of this generation. While his accolades in the WWE speak for itself, John Cena is a very generous and supportive human being beyond the ring.
Matt Rehwoldt, fka Aiden English from his WWE days, revealed a story about when he almost got fired from the company. The story revolves around an unscripted spot that took place during a dark match that happened after SmackDown. The match went down one week before WWE WrestleMania 34, and it featured The Usos and AJ Styles against Rusev, English, and Baron Corbin.
The finish of the match was designed to have Usos do the superkick party, and English was the man who was supposed to take a majority of the kicks. The plan was for English to hit a superkick himself, but Usos would have stopped it and delivered the final kick to end the match.
However, a decision was made on the fly to have some fun. AJ Styles traded positions with the referee and donned the striped black and white shirt. The referee ended up joining the party and delivered a superkick with The Usos.
The spot didn't go down too well with the producers backstage, as the Superstars involved were 'chewed out' behind the scenes. While Vince McMahon and Triple H weren't around, the producers and Talent Relations people scolded the Superstars for executing the spot. The WWE Superstars were accused of burying themselves and the business.
The management also threatened the Superstars with fines to the tune of 10-20 thousand dollars, and they were very close to getting fired.
However, all the members involved in the match held onto their jobs, and John Cena might have played a significant role.
While hyping up his YouTube video that contained the story, Matt Rehwoldt revealed that 'John Cena apparently paid their fines.
You can check out the complete story as told by Rehwoldt right here.
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