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Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring you the latest stories and other WWE news and rumors from the day.
In today's edition of the Rumor Roundup, we will talk about the backstage problems faced by a former two-time World Champion as well as heat on a multi-time tag team Champion backstage, among other topics.
As per reports, current 24/7 Champion - The Gronk - who was also the host of WrestleMania 36, may not be continuing with WWE and instead may return to the NFL. So without any further ado, let us take a look at the big stories from today:
#6 The Gronk heading back to NFL
As broken by ESPN's Adam Schefter, The New England Patriots have chosen to trade Rob Gronkowski and a seventh-round trade pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a fourth-round pick.
It is also being stated that the 24/7 Champion, who recently signed a deal with WWE, is now more interested in heading back to the NFL.
And further confirmation from Rob Gronkowski’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who texted ESPN: “Pending the physical, Rob has agreed to play for Tampa this season. He will honor his current contract at this time.”
With Gronk choosing to return to the NFL, his WWE career is in jeopardy and the chances of seeing him inside the ring have gravely reduced.
#5 Triple H shows a new look
WWE COO recently joined the WWE fans on The Bump with a brand new look. The former five-time Intercontinental Champion sported hair after a long time along with a longer and greying beard.
Triple H will be returning to SmackDown this week to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his career. It will certainly be interesting to see if The Game keeps his new look or appears with his previous clean-shaven head and brown beard.
#4 Vince McMahon 'got tired' of dealing with Dolph Ziggler
Arn Anderson revealed another interesting backstage update on the equation between Dolph Ziggler and Vince McMahon. He stated that 'The Boss' had gotten tired of dealing with The ShowOff.
Anderson revealed that Vince McMahon had gotten tired of dealing with Dolph Ziggler and his highly opinionated views, which could be a strong reason for Ziggler never becoming a main-event star.
Here is what Anderson said:
“I’m sure a lot of guys, the higher-ups in the office, and certainly the boss [Vince McMahon], got tired of dealing with Dolph, but the fact of the matter is, Dolph is right a lot of the time.”
Anderson further added that the company wants blind devotion instead of input by the Superstars:
“He doesn’t mind saying what he thinks, and even though he’s right most of the time, that’s the wrong thing to do once you walk up in Gorilla [WWE's backstage area]. The reality is, the company wants blind devotion.” (H/T: SportsKeeda)
Dolph Ziggler is a former two-time World Champion and has had quite a few main event matches over the years but was never truly able to solidify himself as a long-run top card Superstar.
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#3 Cesaro is not liked by the management backstage
Cesaro has the perfect look for a WWE Superstar. Combine that with the immense power and technical prowess and you would think the company would have pushed him to the moon.
Unfortunately for the Swiss Cyborg, that hasn't been the case in his career. Having settled in the mid-card, the former US Champion has only been featured prominently as a tag team Superstar - first teaming with Tyson Kid, then Sheamus and now Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn.
Former WWE producer Arn Anderson revealed on his podcast that the 'higher-ups' on WWE are not very fond of Cesaro, and even banned many of his 'impressive moves':
He’s not a favorite guy, as you know, of the front office, for whatever reason that is. They’re the only ones that know because everyone else across the planet seems to think he’s a Superstar. But he continued to get leaned on to stop doing all that stuff [impressive moves] as a heel. It was just too flashy and all that stuff.” (SportsKeeda)
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#2 Backstage details regarding MITB matches
WWE's Money in the Bank PPV is just a few weeks away and the company are doing their bit to ensure that it is a memorable event, even though the matches have been pre-taped.
As per WWE, this year's MITB ladder matches will be taking place at the WWE HQ with the ring being set up on the roof. It is a unique idea and as per Fightful, the tapings for the match have begun.
Here is what Fightful has stated:
Fightful was told that the matches were filmed in a more cinematic manner, but we don't know if it will be more akin to the Boneyard Match, The Firefly Funhouse match, or the Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano match. Talent were also trying to stay warm during filming as they'd have to go from standing around to bumping on short notice."
WWE pleasantly surprised the fans with the unique approach they had taken for the Undertaker vs AJ Styles Boneyard match as well as the Firefly Fun House match between Bray Wyatt and John Cena.
With no live audience, it looks like cinematic matches are the future of WWE as of now.
#1 Change of plans for Lashley and Lana
WWE had been teasing a split between Bobby Lashley and his on-screen wife Lana ever since she had cost The All Mighty his match at WrestleMania 36.
While backstage reports indicated that it was indeed the original plans to split the duo up, it looks like they have changed their mind yet again.
Here is what Dave Meltzer stated on Observer Radio on being asked if Lana and Lashley will continue to feature as a pair:
Alvarez: Did they totally drop this storyline?
Meltzer: They're back like trying to make up.
Alvarez: Dude, they are happy as can be, she is fawning all over him, he's perfectly happy with her, they're just having a great old time.
Meltzer: Maybe they made up!
(H/t: SportsKeeda)
With Rusev being released from the company, it is clear that the angle between Rusev, Lana, and Lashley is dead in the waters now. While Lashley could certainly do with a manager like Lana, it remains to be seen how the story progresses and if WWE will continue the pairing or split them up.
