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It's been a really tough day for the fans of WWE, AEW, and professional wrestling as a whole as we lost Brodie Lee. The former WWE Superstar passed away at the age of 41, and the entire world of wrestling is standing together to pay tributes to the respected former WWE Intercontinental and AEW TNT Champion.
Beyond the unfortunate news, we have many stories worth discussing in today's edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup.
We begin the lineup with a former WWE Superstar's claim that Stone Cold Steve Austin could return to the ring.
Elsewhere, a veteran revealed details of WWE forbidding talent from hitting a popular Superstar in the face.
Brock Lesnar, who has been out of action since WrestleMania 36, was recently spotted sporting a new look. Several Superstars have also been confirmed to return for the Legends Night episode of RAW. Additionally, some of the advertised names have not been seen in the company for a while.
We end the roundup with a story about what Vince McMahon told Sting when The Icon rejected a WWE offer.
#5. RVD says Stone Cold Steve Austin's in-ring WWE return is definitely possible
Stone Cold Steve Austin has not wrestled a proper match since WrestleMania XIX when he lost to The Rock. While Austin has had two 'matches' since his retirement, the 'Beer Drinking' and 'Redneck Triathlon' contests don't classify as legitimate matches in our book.
The speculation and talk regarding Austin's potential in-ring return have been discussed for years, but the 56-year-old WWE Hall of Famer has continued to stay away from the squared circle.
RVD, however, believes that Steve Austin can definitely return to the ring in a controlled environment. During an interview with Thibaud Choplin, Rob Van Dam stated that he had seen wrestlers performing in their 70s, and Steve Austin could also wrestle in a safe setup.
RVD added that he is unsure whether Austin would want to wrestle as the Hall of Famer is doing really good for himself.
"It's definitely possible. If he wants to do it, I think he definitely could do it. You know what I mean? It's an environment that's controlled enough... I've seen guys that are in their seventies that are still wrestling sometimes, and it's not an issue, really. I don't know why he would want through. I mean, he's very successful. He's making so much money, and it seems like he's still on roll, like once a month or something. Anyway, I'm sure it's not that often, but even if he's been away and hasn't wrestled in a while, he's been on the show often enough to still have that value. And he always will have that value because he's an icon," said Rob Van Dam. (H/T Rajah)
Steve Austin had revealed back in September 2019 that he would be physically capable of doing another match. Given the emergence of cinematic matches, Stone Cold's return just can't be ruled out.
#4. Brock Lesnar spotted sporting a new look during WWE hiatus
Brock Lesnar is currently a free agent as his WWE contract expired in April following his WrestleMania 36 match against Drew McIntyre.
The former WWE Champion has typically kept a low profile during his hiatus from wrestling. However, The Beast Incarnate was recently spotted with a new look. Reddit user castejack revealed a photo of Brock Lesnar, and the WWE veteran showed off a rugged, bearded look.
You can check out the photo below:
As revealed by Paul Heyman not too long ago during an interview with Ariel Helwani, Brock Lesnar is enjoying time away from the bustling world of wrestling. Lesnar is spending time with his family and cherishing farming and other activities.
Heyman did note that despite Lesnar being a free agent, the former Universal Champion will be ready to return if the offer is right and appealing enough for him.
With WrestleMania 37 just around the corner, WWE could be tempted to iron out the situation with Brock Lesnar's contract before getting him back for a potentially big match. It should be noted that we've heard no news regarding the creative plans for Lesnar.
#3. Jim Ross says that WWE told its male wrestlers not to hit Chyna in the face
Despite all the controversies during her WWE career, Chyna will always be considered a trailblazer in pro wrestling history. Chyna was the first and only female WWE Superstar to win the Intercontinental title. She did it during a time when intergender wrestling was actively featured in the WWE.
WWE has changed its stance about intergender wrestling over the years, and it has been revealed that the company had an interesting rule for Chyna's matches back in the day.
During a recent edition of his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross revealed that WWE instructed the male Superstars not to hit Chyna in the face. WWE wasn't high on the idea of booking men to beat up women on TV, and the decision was made to forbid the male talent from hitting Chyna in the face.
"All those roles [babyface and heel] are changing, they're like clay," said Ross. "You can keep moulding them in a different way. At the end of the day, one stands for right; one stands for wrong. There's a lot of ways to present that. But absolutely, it was talked about [problems with intergender wrestling]. I think, Conrad, if I'm not mistaken, I'm trying to think back on it; it was a matter of hitting her in the face." H/t Danny Hart of Sportskeeda
The Ninth Wonder of the World won the Intercontinental title on two occasions and was involved in feuds with Jeff Jarrett and Chris Jericho during her memorable WWE career.
#2. List of Superstars scheduled to appear on Legends Night episode of WWE RAW
The first episode of WWE Monday Night RAW of 2021 will be a special 'Legends Night' edition, featuring many famous names in attendance.
WWE confirmed on Instagram that Carlito would be one of the Superstars appearing on RAW on January 4th. Carlito, who left WWE in 2010, was last seen in the company when he showed up with his family to induct Carlos Colón Sr. into the WWE Hall of Fame.
WWE has advertised over twenty names for the Legends Night episode of RAW.
Given below is the list of the advertised Superstars:
- Alicia Fox
- Beth Phoenix
- Big Show
- Boogeyman
- Booker T
- Candice Michelle
- Carlito
- Hillbilly Jim
- Hulk Hogan
- Irwin R. Schyster (IRS)
- Ivory
- Jacqueline
- Jeff Jarrett
- Jimmy Hart
- Kurt Angle
- Mark Henry
- Melina
- Michael "PS" Hayes
- Mickie James
- Ric Flair
- Sgt. Slaughter
- Tatanka
- Torrie Wilson
A Fightful Select report additionally revealed that WWE has also discussed the possibility of getting Ron Simmons, Teddy Long, and Molly Holly for Legends Night.
WWE recently drew all-time low ratings and viewership for an episode of RAW, and the decision to have a Legends Night is being viewed as a tactic to get a quick boost. Will it work?
#1. Vince McMahon's reaction to Sting rejecting a WWE offer
It's 2020, and a 61-year-old WWE Hall of Famer Sting is ready to embark on another memorable chapter of his legendary career as an AEW talent. The Icon made a name for himself in WCW, and much to the surprise of many fans and pundits, Sting chose not to join WWE when WCW folded.
Sting ended up wrestling for TNA back in 2003, but WWE did try to get the former WCW Champion on board.
During the recent episode of AEW's Unrestricted podcast, Sting revealed Vince McMahon's reaction when he rejected a WWE offer in 2002.
Vince McMahon had a phone call with Sting, and the former WCW star told the WWE Chairman that he was going to TNA. Vince McMahon reacted in the most Vince McMahon way possible. Here's what Sting revealed about his conversation with Vince McMahon.
"Vince was in the picture once again, and I'll never forget it—I'm talking to him on the phone, and I said, 'Vince, I'm going to go to TNA.' [And Vince says] 'The thought of you and the legacy that you leave behind, and you going to TNA is just… BLEGH.' [laughs] 'He literally said 'BLEGH.' Yeah. Yeah, and then I'm working for him a few years later." H/T WrestleZone.com
Sting eventually signed with WWE in 2014 and had a handful of matches before retiring after getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Sting is now an AEW star, and 2021 could be an exciting year indeed.
