'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When it comes to stacked news days, the one that went by certainly kept us on our toes.
The pro wrestling fraternity is gearing up for a very important week as both AEW and WWE will engage in the first round of Wednesday Night Wars. SmackDown Live will also be moving to Friday nights and major changes were expected to be announced.
Today's roundup has it all.
WWE has reportedly reached a deal to get back a very popular Superstar after 8 long years. The company also revealed big changes to the commentary team as well as a new show that they may have minimal control over.
There was also an update about a talented wrestler choosing his next destination, which could either be WWE or AEW.
An absent Superstar also teased his return and hinted at possibly interfering in the WWE Championship match between Brock Lesnar and Kofi Kingston.
We end the roundup with Stone Cold Steve Austin because well, everything about the legend ends up being the bottom line.
#1. Bobby Lashley likes the idea of returning and interfering in the WWE title match between Brock Lesnar and Kofi Kingston
Bobby Lashley has been out of action since July after he underwent elbow surgery but he has not kept a low profile on social media. The former 2-time Intercontinental Champion has been using his Twitter handle to hype his return of late.
The latest teaser is very interesting, to say the least.
A fan asked Lashley on Twitter whether he would interfere in next week's WWE title match between Brock Lesnar and Kofi Kingston. His response has everyone talking about a dream feud that has been in the works for a very long time.
While there are no updates regarding the exact date of his return, Lashley seems ready to get back to the ring and should be on your TV screens sooner rather than later. With the WWE Draft coming soon, the company would love to have someone with the star power of Lashley on regular programming.
Lesnar vs. Lashley is a feud that is guaranteed to get big numbers for SmackDown on Fox if WWE wishes to explore that option, which has reportedly already been discussed in recent past.
#2. John Morrison returning to WWE after 8 years
It's the biggest story of the day. As reported first by PWInsider's Mike Johnson, John Morrison has signed a deal with WWE to return to the company after nearly 8 years.
The former Intercontinental Champion joined the WWE in 2002 and stayed with the company until his departure in 2011. Morrison won many titles during his time with the company, most notably the Intercontinental title on three occasions and the Tag Team Championship five times.
Morrison turned his attention towards the independent circuit after leaving WWE. He particularly made a name for himself wrestling for major promotions such as Lucha Underground and AAA, where his high-flying in-ring style meshed well with Lucha Libre.
He joined Impact Wrestling in 2017 and went on to become a World Champion in the company. His contract with Impact expired earlier this year and a return to WWE seemed like the best option, despite AEW also being a possible destination.
Fans will remember John Morrison as a talent who, despite having the look and the in-ring prowess, never really managed to break into the main event scene. He is a popular figure and his return will certainly be met with a positive reception.
#3. Commentary changes
There was a big shake-up in the commentary team as announced by WWE. As it was rumored for a while, Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Renee Young will constitute the team on SmackDown Live.
RAW will have a new-look team in the commentary booth with Vic Joseph, Dio Maddin and the returning Jerry 'The King' Lawler.
Over on SmackDown Live, Cole will assume the role of being the play-by-play commentator, Graves the analyst and Renee Young the special contributor - whatever that entails.
It was also confirmed by Fox Sports that Renee Young and Booker T will host the brand new studio show on FS1 called 'WWE Backstage'.
Fox Sports announced the following regarding the show:
The hour-long weekly show offers viewers the latest WWE news every Tuesday at 11:00 PM ET/8:00 PM PT, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5 on FS1. Long-time WWE broadcaster Renee Young and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T weigh in on the biggest stories in WWE and are joined by a rotating cast of guests and personalities, including current and former WWE Superstars.
Ahead of WWE BACKSTAGE’s Nov. 5 debut, FOX Sports offers a special preview of the show on Tuesday, Oct. 15, following the conclusion of the ALCS Game 3 on FS1. Young and Booker T are joined by special guests to reveal the WWE BACKSTAGE set at the FOX Studios Lot in Los Angeles, and to break in their brand-new ring.
It was additionally reported by PWInsider that WWE Backstage will be under Fox's auspices and not WWE.
#4. Which company will Marty Scurll join?
Former Bullet Club member Marty Scurll will be one of the hottest free agents in professional wrestling when his current contract with Ring of Honor expires in November.
Dave Meltzer discussed Scurll's status on the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer noted that Scurll has the chance to join either WWE or AEW and that many factors come into play.
For starters, both AEW and WWE can offer him much more money than ROH. It was stated that Scurll would undoubtedly be weighing towards reuniting with his Elite partners in AEW. He has quite a few friends in AEW and signing with the Tony Khan-led promotion sounds like the logical decision to make if it were up to Scurll.
However, WWE would also be interested in getting him on board as they are currently involved in a battle with AEW.
Another ROH star that is also in WWE's radar is Matt Taven. Dave Meltzer reported that ROH may offer Taven a contract that could be three times more than what he could make in NXT. If WWE wants to sign him up, they would have to cough up a sizeable chunk of money.
Taven's current contract with ROH will come to an end sometime in October and it is expected that a bidding war may then ensue involving WWE, ROH and possibly AEW as well, for his signature.
#5. Stone Cold Steve Austin is willing to wrestle another match
Stone Cold Steve Austin's last 'match' happened in 2006 when he took on JBL in a beer-drinking contest. We all know that doesn't count.
The WWE Hall of Famer's last proper bout was against The Rock at WrestleMania XIX in 2003. The Texas Rattlesnake had to retire from in-ring competition due to neck and knee injuries.
It's been 17 long years and we still ponder over the same darn question. Will Stone Cold Steve Austin ever return for one final match - or even better - a series of matches?
During a recent edition of the Steve Austin show, the living legend said that in theory, he can come back for another match and is also physically fit to do so.
"For the last couple of weeks, down there at the Raw reunion in Tampa, down there at the Madison Square Garden show at Monday Night Raw—people always ask me, 'Hey man, you're still in really good shape. You got one more match left in you?' And I tell them, 'Man.' I say, 'You know, it's a tough thing to think about.'
"Physically, would I be able to have one more match? Yes, most definitely, and I could make it to that match without being injured. Although the risks are always there, just because I think all of the surgeries I had. ... Where I had the spinal stenosis, and getting that bone spur taken off my spinal cord—I'm in a good place. Nerves are feeling a lot better than they used to. So, you know, in theory, could I have a match? In theory, yes."
Steve Austin for one final match? Give us a hell yeah!
#6. The future of 205 Live
Starting next week, 205 Live will air on Friday nights on the WWE Network after SmackDown Live. However, that will only be a temporary move, as per Dave Meltzer.
WWE is considering various options regarding 205 Live. The company is also contemplating pulling the plug on the show as it has garnered dismal ratings for a very long time.
It was also noted that the NXT Creative team has taken over the writing duties for 205 Live and that the Cruiserweight show is now under Triple H's supervision.
205 Live is now Triple H's show and that should make the fans feel a whole lot better.
WWE is expected to make the final call regarding the future of the show soon and until that happens, 205 Live will be available on the WWE Network on Fridays after SmackDown ends.
Follow Sportskeeda Wrestling and Sportskeeda MMA on Twitter for all the latest news. Do not miss out!
