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In today's rumor roundup, we look at why WWE split Paige from the Kabuki Warriors, Steve Austin on his possible return and the one Superstar Brock Lesnar has vowed not to work with.
But before we get to all that, we need to get past the two headline-makers of the day.
RAW Superstar out for 6 months?
WWE Superstars seem to be getting injured left, right and centre and Samoa Joe is the latest one on the list of injured Superstars. He suffered an injury during his match on Monday Night RAW this week, and it looks like it is a concussion.
Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio has revealed that there is a chance Joe could be out for up to 6 months! He added that it is an injury that WWE are taking very seriously. He said:
The belief is that Joe has a concussion, which is obviously not a good thing. That's not 100% but that was the belief a couple of hours ago, maybe an hour ago. The problem with that obviously is the concussion is that unpredictable injury where you know he can be back next Monday or he could be back in six months. You just don't know. It's like, that's the situation, he landed on his head and got a concussion.
Former champion set to leave in 6 weeks
Matt Hardy is set to leave WWE in six weeks! The former tag-team champion will see his contract expire and will not sign a new deal. Corey Graves has begged WWE to keep Hardy in the company, but it looks like he will be leaving.
Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio has confirmed that Hardy will be leaving soon. He said:
Matt Hardy is most likely leaving when his contract is up, which is only in like six more weeks. I mean that is not a 100%, but the fact that he has not signed a new deal because they throw out the big money and its months ahead when they do this with these guys they are not waiting until the last minute. 'Oh by the way, now we're going to offer you a lot'. They want this stuff locked down.
Brock Lesnar vows to never work with Matt Riddle
Matt Riddle and Brock Lesnar were reportedly involved in a backstage altercation before the Royal Rumble. Alex McCarthy has reported that the WWE Champion has told the NXT Superstar that he will never be working with him.
According to a WWE official, Lesnar is said to have approached Riddle backstage and grabbed his shoulder to get his attention. Then, Lesnar said: “Kid, you might as well stop saying my name and tagging me in sh*t because you and I will never work together. Ever.
Riddle, however, is confident that he will get his match with Lesnar. In a video released by WWE, he said:
"I really wanted to get my hands on Brock. You know, I saw him throwing everyone around, I don't care what he says or anybody else says, I don't care if he wants the match or not. I'm going to get it. I don't care. It's not up to him. I don't like being told no. Especially when I worked as hard as I did. And trust me. I guarantee you, I get my hands on him and I make that match happen. And I take his career...I promise, I PROMISE."
Steve Austin comments on if he will make a comeback
Stone Cold Steve Austin has revealed that he will not be making a comeback to the ring. With Edge returning, the WWE legend was questioned once again on whether he would be willing to make a comeback but he has stood his ground.
“Basically you’re asking me, based on Edge’s return, would I consider making a return? No. Whatever Edge is doing has nothing to do with me. I’m done. I’ve already said I’m done,” Austin said.
“When I see a guy whose kinda had a similar type of neck situation as I had, or neck surgery in general, and to leave the business when he did nine years ago and then come back, I’m like ‘Ok. Man, be careful out there.’ Ya know? Cause I haven’t seen you in action. And we know it’s a very physical business. You can get hurt any time, anyway. It can be very dangerous. So just please be careful,” Stone Cold added. [H/T Pro Wrestling Sheet]
Rey Mysterio picks his WWE successor
Rey Mysterio is set to retire from WWE soon and he has now named Ricochet as his successor. He was talking to BT Sport when he claimed that the former NXT North American champion has what it takes to be the next Rey Mysterio. He said:
“He was actually one of the first superstars that really impressed me. Again, when you’re in this world, and you come home, the last thing you want to do is watch wrestling or hear about other wrestlers. And I secluded myself very well. I was home for two or three days a week, and it was family time, specifically. But there comes a point where you gotta make sure you see your competition, who is up and coming? And he was one of the guys that really stood out to me, and he’s been doing incredible, man. I personally feel he is the next Rey Mysterio.” [H/T 411Mania]
Mysterio is reportedly looking to retire soon but wants to share the ring with his son before calling time on his career.
Why WWE split Paige from the Kabuki Warriors
Paige was introduced as the manager of the Kabuki Warriors but the stint was short-lived. The former NXT champion was attacked by Asuka with the green mist and now Paige has revealed why it happened.
She told Sportskeeda's very own Gary Cassidy that it was a collective decision because she was going to have her neck surgery. She said,
It was actually, like, a joint kind of decision [to split from the Kabuki Warriors] because I had to go and have my neck surgery, the second one... I'm getting scars, kids! It's not fun.
So, I was out for a while and I feel like they were kind of sitting in the background and I kind of felt bad for them, so me and Paul Heyman, we had a conversation and we both kind of decided, "Okay, let them go do their thing so I'm not holding anyone back," and so the way to get me out was for them to turn on me. But it was super-fun, I really enjoyed it, and I love them - so I wish them success.
