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We welcome you to the latest edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's WWE Rumor Roundup, where several trending topics have been covered today in the aftermath of SummerSlam.
Several big-name talents have departed WWE this year, and it seems like another former champion might be on his way out of the company.
We have more details on Sasha Banks' recent absence and impact on WWE's SummerSlam decisions. Kofi Kingston has also mysteriously vanished from television, and we now know the reported reason and WWE's original SummerSlam plan for The New Day member.
Becky Lynch's reported heel turn has been one of the most significant talking points lately, and a surprising backstage revelation has emerged regarding the same.
We also have details of WWE dropping the idea of a massive dream match featuring Brock Lesnar.
On that note, let's get to the meaty part of the WWE Rumor Roundup and look at each story in detail:
#5. Is Adam Cole done with WWE?
Adam Cole lost to Kyle O'Reilly at NXT TakeOver 36, and it seems like the former NXT champion might not be returning to the black-and-gold brand. Mike Johnson of PWInsider confirmed that Cole's match against Reilly was indeed his swan song in NXT.
As per an updated Fightful Select report, Adam Cole is yet to sign a new WWE contract. Additionally, sources within WWE revealed that he was not factored into any creative plans for the RAW after SummerSlam despite him putting up the following teaser before this week's episode:
Despite no confirmation, there is much speculation about the former Undisputed Era leader's departure from WWE.
Over the past week, The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega have dropped a few massive hints about Adam Cole possibly reuniting with his former friends in AEW.
Could The Elite bring 'Adam Cole' back from the dead and make him 'All Elite'?
As reported earlier, Vince McMahon had a meeting with Cole to discuss the star's WWE future. While the interactions went well, both parties are yet to reach an official agreement.
As things stand, Adam Cole is a free agent who can choose between two options - going up to the main roster or leaving WWE for AEW.
#4. Backstage notes on Kofi Kingston's sudden
disappearance from WWE television
Kofi Kingston was mysteriously not at WWE SummerSlam or the subsequent RAW episode, and fans were quick to raise their concerns on social media about the superstar's whereabouts.
PWinsider released an update, revealing that the former WWE champion is currently not cleared to perform. It was added that Kingston did not travel with the roster this weekend.
Mike Johnson noted that Kofi Kingston was supposed to join Xavier Woods for the SummerSlam segment specifically designed to promote the Pure Life Purified Water brand.
Here's the PWInsider update on Kofi Kingston:
"PWInsider.com has been told by multiple sources that he is not currently cleared to perform. Kingston was originally slated to be part of the promotional segment pushing the Pure Life Purified Water brand with Xavier, dressed as another member of the NWO, but obviously that did not happen. He was not on the road this weekend."
We still don't know what's precisely preventing WWE from allowing Kingston to wrestle, but we hope it's nothing too serious and expect the popular superstar to return soon.
#3. Update on Sasha Banks' WWE status
Details regarding Sasha Banks' status continue to emerge from WWE as PWInsider issued an important update, clarifying that her unavailability was not injury-related.
While we still don't know WWE's actual reason for keeping Banks away from television, Dave Meltzer added that company officials knew about her status eight days before SummerSlam.
Sasha Banks was reportedly not even in Las Vegas during SummerSlam weekend as she was not on the road after missing a series of live events.
Becky Lynch stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Sasha Banks and picked up a controversial victory over Bianca Belair. Speaking of the new SmackDown women's champion...
#2. Becky Lynch reportedly requested WWE for a heel turn
PWinsider was the first to report after SummerSlam about WWE's plan to position Becky Lynch as one of the top heels on SmackDown moving forward.
Dave Meltzer has now revealed that Lynch herself put in a backstage request for a heel turn.
Lynch won the SmackDown women's title after landing a cheap shot at Bianca Belair, and initial observations about a character change for 'The Man' have proven to be accurate.
She is expected to be a prominent villain on the blue brand, with Belair set to be her babyface dance partner in the championship feud. The next episode of SmackDown should ideally have a segment that cements Lynch's surprise heel turn.
The Irish star was originally scheduled to return to WWE a few weeks later in October, but her comeback was fast-tracked following Sasha Banks' removal from the SummerSlam card.
#1. WWE dropped a major dream match to protect Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar made a stunning return at SummerSlam to confront Roman Reigns and kickstart a rare babyface run.
As reported by Dave Meltzer on the Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE could have booked Lesnar to compete at SummerSlam in a dream match against Bobby Lashley.
However, the company reportedly did not want The Beast Incarnate to get beaten and instead picked Goldberg as the WWE title contender for SummerSlam.
WWE's intention to protect Brock Lesnar from losses might be one of the biggest reasons for preventing the showdown with Bobby Lashley from coming to fruition, as Meltzer noted below:
"One of the reasons why they went with Bill (Goldberg) instead of Brock against Lashley is because they didn't want to beat Brock Lesnar. Brock winning the championship when he is not going to be around, hardly at all. You know you can do it, and it has been done before, but you know, I wouldn't have recommended it, as opposed to Lashley," Meltzer stated.
Do you think WWE made the right call by passing up on Lesnar vs. Lashley at SummerSlam? What were your other major takeaways from today's roundup? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
