WWE Rumor Roundup: Reason behind Edge's absence, Big name done with the company, Details on more releases, Balor teases returning character (25th May 2021)

Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring the latest backstage news and rumors related to WWE. In today's edition, we will talk about the rumored multiple releases that are soon to take place in WWE. This article will also take a look at why Edge has been absent from WWE since WrestleMania 37.

Many fans had believed WWE would continue the program between The Tribal Chief and Edge after WrestleMania as a one-on-one match between the two never happened. After the Show Of Shows this year, Reigns moved on to other challengers whereas the Rated-R Superstar was nowhere to be found.

So without any further ado, let us dive in and take a look at some major rumors and stories from the world of WWE.

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#5 Why has Edge disappeared from WWE?

Edge was last seen at WrestleMania 37 where he faced Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan in a Triple Threat Match for the Universal Championship. Edge won the 2021 Royal Rumble and chose to go after Reigns and his title at the Show of Shows. However, The Rated-R Superstar fell short of his dream of becoming the Universal Champion and has been absent since then.

Fightful Select (via CSS) has reported that Edge isn't injured and absent from WWE because of a planned sabbatical.

According to Fightful Select, Edge is not injured and his disappearance from television is just some planned time off.

Edge has stated multiple times since returning last year that he doesn't plan on being a part-timer. The former WWE Champion wanted to get fully involved in WWE as long as he was a part of it. Unlike most veterans, Edge was present on SmackDown every week leading up to WrestleMania 37.

WWE may be waiting for the perfect time for the Ultimate Opportunist to finally make his return. The crowd is set to return in July and Edge will likely make his comeback after the audience has returned.

It is unlikely that we have seen the end of Edge's program with Roman Reigns and the company might decide to renew their feud around SummerSlam.

#4 Adnan Virk has left WWE

Recently on-boarded RAW announcer Adnan Virk has already left WWE. The company issued an official statement stating that Virk and WWE have mutually agreed to part ways.

“WWE and Adnan Virk have mutually agreed to part ways. WWE thanks Adnan for his work.”

Virk had joined the RAW announcement team after WrestleMania 37 and had received mixed reviews from the fans for his work. The former ESPN employee was allegedly brought into WWE at the behest of Nick Khan. However, it looks like RAW will need a new commentator with Virk's exit.

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#3 More WWE Superstars set to be released soon

WWE has already released multiple superstars from WWE and NXT after WrestleMania 37. Some of the big names to have departed include Samoa Joe, Bo Dallas, Chelsea Green, and Velveteen Dream, among others.

As per PWInsider, multiple more releases are underway in WWE. While most of these exits will be from the backstage side of things, many NXT UK superstars are also expected to leave the company well. The report also stated that some of the names that have been released have come as a shock to the people who have survived these budget cuts.

"There are said to be a lot of others who were let go today, to the point that multiple WWE staffers who survived the cuts have expressed their shock and surprise at how important some of the names have been. There is a belief that some divisions may even be folded in together going forward."

Unfortunately, multiple more WWE employees will be laid off by the company.

#2 Finn Balor to become the Demon again in WWE?

Former WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor recently spoke on the Out of Character podcast. The Prince talked about his Demon character that he used frequently during his first run in NXT as well on the main roster.

Ever since his return to the black and gold brand, Balor has stayed away from the iconic character and retained his Prince persona. The former Universal Champion stated that he isn't sure how well the Demon character was treated in WWE. He will have to wait 10 years to give a verdict on whether the gimmick was botched or not.

Finn Balor did give a glimmer of hope to fans of the character, saying that there is still potential for it to return soon.

"There’s still some life left in The Demon character, for sure. Right now, I’m very happy being The Prince. I feel like, as I said before, this is the most like my true self in my WWE tenure, so I’m very happy.”

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#1 How Booker T rubbed some superstars the wrong way in WWE

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T is known for his great in-ring skills and his unabashed attitude. The legend revealed on his podcast Hall of Fame that his claims of being one of the top five wrestlers in WWE during his early days in the company did not sit well with many superstars including Stone Cold Steve Austin.

"Well, he (Regal) had an issue with me saying I'm one of the top five workers in the world," Booker T said. "Lot of guys, you know, Stone Cold Steve Austin, he brought that up. Lot of guys (got) rubbed the wrong way, I think, in the locker room.''

Booker T admitted that he was a brash young guy and even though he had won the tag team championships, he had still not won a world championship when he made this statement.