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We're back with another edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's daily WWE Rumor Roundup, which features some massive names and stories.
Triple H returns to the roundup after a brief absence, and his name was brought up regarding a big match. A recently released WWE Superstar revealed how he pushed for a match against The Game and how the dream showdown didn't see the light of day.
Roman Reigns also made a big statement recently by revealing the one WWE superstar he wouldn't mind putting over in the future. Elsewhere, a top female star disclosed how the Tribal Chief got into a disagreement backstage over a Survivor Series spot which eventually got nixed.
We also have all the updates regarding Zelina Vega's WWE return and what it means for Aleister Black's status.
The roundup also has all the answers surrounding Kevin Owens and Xavier Woods' recent absence from WWE TV.
#5. Roman Reigns' backstage disagreement with Nia Jax over a table spot at WWE Survivor Series
As promised, Lana spilled the beans on her WWE run during a highly-anticipated interview with Chris Jericho on the latter's 'Talk is Jericho' podcast.
The Ravishing Russian spoke about her big win in last year's 5-on-5 Women's WWE Survivor Series Elimination match, where she was the sole survivor despite having zero eliminations. The story of the match revolved around Nia Jax sending Lana through a table nine weeks in a row before the WWE pay-per-view.
As revealed by Lana, the women wanted to do another table spot at Survivor Series, but Roman Reigns vetoed the plan as the WWE Universal Champion had a scheduled table spot with Drew McIntyre for his match.
Roman Reigns and Nia Jax apparently even butted heads backstage as Lana described how it felt being caught in some Samoan drama. The spot in question was for Nia Jax to attack Lana at the start of the match and take her out with a table bump.
"We were supposed to do this whole table spot on the show. And then Roman did not want [it], 'cause he had a table spot with [Drew McIntyre]. So there was some major pushback. The Samoans, Nia and Roman, you know, that whole thing," said Lana. "Like, oh my god, I'm caught in the middle of this drama. And so, we had a huge spot. Like I was supposed to be laid out in the very beginning. I was supposed to get in the ring, and Nia snatch me, 'cause the whole point was everyone on the team were heels, and I was the only 'babyface,' and they're gonna be all against me, and she was gonna lay me out." said Lana
Unsurprisingly enough, Roman Reigns got the last laugh as he and McIntyre got to execute the sought-after table spot.
#4. Andrade El Idolo on wanting a WWE match against Triple H
Andrade El Idolo has made all the right noises since being granted his WWE release in March. The former United States Champion is in AEW and is also scheduled to wrestle for a few other top Mexican wrestling promotions.
El Idolo is enjoying his post-WWE freedom, and he recently sat down with Hugo Savinovich of Lucha Libre Online for a very detailed interview.
During the chat, Andrade revealed that he always wanted to wrestle Triple H in WWE, but the match sadly never materialized. Andrade said that 'things didn't go their way,' and the dream match could never come to fruition.
Here's what the former WWE star had to say:
"I would have liked to wrestle against Triple H in WWE. I would have loved to wrestle him in a one-on-one match, but it was not materialized. Things did not go our way, but I would have loved to wrestle against Triple H," Andrade said in an interview with Lucha Libre Online (translation via Luis Pulido) H/t Fightful
As noted earlier, Andrade El Idolo has hit the ground running following his WWE exit, and 2021 could be all about El Idolo's redemption story.
#3. Zelina Vega's WWE return: Company's apology, Aleister Black's status, internal listings, and more
Zelina Vega returned to WWE on the most recent episode of SmackDown and booked her spot in the upcoming Women's Money in the Bank match. PWInsider's Mike Johnson released an extensive report sharing all the details surrounding Zelina Vega re-signing with WWE.
The report began by stating that there were 'segments of the company' unhappy about her release. People in WWE felt Vega should have been retained and pushed for conversations regarding a return.
After a lengthy back-and-forth between Zelina Vega and WWE, the executives apologized to the star, and an official offer was tabled. There was some confusion regarding the timeline of the said negotiations, but WWE officials were tight-lipped about the plans for Vega.
It was added that WWE and Zelina Vega made amends and arrived at a compromise. Vega grew up dreaming of being a WWE Superstar, and once both sides cleared all the differences, there was only one logical outcome.
Regarding the possibility of WWE getting Zelina Vega back just to bury her, Johnson felt the company wouldn't punish the superstar as she has been booked in a lucrative Money in the Bank spot.
As per a Fightful Select report, Zelina Vega was listed as a female heel in WWE's internal documents in June, and the plan was always to get her back in time for Money in the Bank.
Vega's husband, Aleister Black, has not re-joined the WWE. Many people in the WWE weren't in favor of Black's release, but there have been no signs of a possible comeback.
Black could just be testing the waters as AEW and NJPW are reportedly in the market to secure his services. We should ideally know all about the former NXT Champion's next move soon, and we'll keep you updated.
#2. The real reason behind Kevin Owens and Xavier Woods' recent WWE absence
Xavier Woods and Kevin Owens were both written off TV for a brief period recently, and there has been some doubt over their respective WWE statuses.
Bobby Lashley beat down Woods following the Hell in a Cell match on RAW. Kevin Owens was also not on WWE TV for a week after the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, but he returned for a Last Man Standing match on the most recent SmackDown show.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Kevin Owens was never expected to be out for long as he had just asked for a short vacation. Woods also requested a week off, and he is slated to be back this coming week on RAW.
"The situation with Owens was this. When he tweeted that he was going to take time off and we were told he asked for time off, it was always just a two week vacation and never to be a long-term thing. So he’s back on the 7/2 show doing a last man standing match with Zayn as a Money in the Bank qualifier. Woods had also asked for a week off so they did the angle. Lashley injured him, but he’s also back this coming week." reported Meltzer
For Woods and KO, regular business resumes after a much-needed break.
#1. Roman Reigns is willing to pass the torch to top WWE RAW Superstar
Roman Reigns is the undisputed leader of the WWE, and there aren't many superstars in the company credible enough to take him down. The Tribal Chief, however, wouldn't mind passing the torch on to one particular superstar from RAW, Drew McIntyre.
The reigning WWE Universal Champion appeared on ESPN's Cheap Heat with Peter Rosenberg and revealed that he considered Drew McIntyre to be his favorite #2 in the WWE.
While Reigns placed himself at the very top, he saw Drew McIntyre as someone that has impressed him the most, and he called the 2-time WWE Champion his 'favorite.'
"There ain't nobody, man, and it's no — I could say my favorite number two, Drew, he's my favorite number two," said Roman Reigns. "There's a bunch of number twos, threes, whatever you want to call them. We can rank them; it really don't matter. They're under me. How far under? Who knows? Who really cares at this point? I mean, how strong of a number two do you want to be, and at this point, my favorite is Drew McIntyre." revealed Reigns
While Roman Reigns would not mind doing the job for Drew McIntyre, the Head of the Table added that his status as the top guy is unshakable, and all his challengers would have to accept his Samoan dominance.
Roman Reigns realizes that a time would come for him to anoint the next big talent, but that day is still a long way away.
"So in a perfect world, if there was an opportunity to pass the torch to him, he's the one guy I think that has captivated my attention in that manner," he added. "But at the same time, he ain't there. And it's only because I'm still here, so solid, within my foothold, my stronghold. The flag is fully planted in, so I can't even think about it now. But I mean, John [Cena] needed somebody to come in, so he could move on and try new things and take care of his body. I will eventually need that. But there's just nobody at this point." added Reigns
Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre have crossed paths in the recent past, and the WWE SmackDown Superstar unsurprisingly came out victorious. However, the dynamics could be really different if the two wrestlers rekindle their rivalry in the future.
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