WWE Rumor Roundup - Two big Superstars released, Sasha Banks retirement update, Vince McMahon's backstage threat and more - 5th September 2020

The day that passed was one of the biggest of the week in terms of its newsworthiness. Two huge stories broke in the past few hours, and one of them has received tremendous backlash from the fans as well as the WWE locker room.

Vince McMahon's latest edict has not gone down too well with the WWE Superstars and the fans, and we have all the latest details on the developing story.

Two talented Superstars were also released from the WWE, and the release wasn't expected to happen as they were rumored to make their return to TV soon. We now know the reason behind the release.

A top AEW Star commented on the possibility of Brock Lesnar coming to All Elite Wrestling, and he was prepared for a match with the Beast Incarnate. Details of Vince McMahon canceling a Brock Lesnar match have also been revealed.

Details of Roman Reigns' backstage request to the WWE would also pleasantly surprise the fans. Sasha Banks also opened up about her plans to become a mother and when she plans on retiring from professional wrestling.

Here is the latest edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup:

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#5. The reason why WWE release AOP revealed

Akam and Rezar of AOP have been released from WWE, and the company issued the following statement earlier in the confirming the departures:

WWE has come to terms on the release of Akam and Rezar (AOP). We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

WWE has come to terms on the release of Akam and Rezar (AOP). We wish them all the best in their future endeavors. https://t.co/26hOhQL2vS

— WWE (@WWE) September 4, 2020

AOP was out of action ever since Rezar suffered a bicep injury and while the belief was that they would back on WWE TV, the decision was made to release the duo.

During the latest edition of Smack Talk with Rick Ucchino and Tom Colohue, Tom revealed the reason behind WWE releasing AOP. Tom noted that AOP had suffered several setbacks over the years. It was only a matter of time that someone in the company would give up on the tag team. Unfortunately for Akam and Rezar, that's exactly what happened.

Here's what Tom revealed:

"To my knowledge, the only information I got that I tweeted about pretty much immediately after finding out about the information. I reached out, and the information I got was pretty much simple and that there was only a matter of time because of a number of setbacks that have been experienced, which essentially meant that someone was always going to give up on AOP. I wasn't told who, I was just told someone had given up, and at that point they just wanted to write them off and call it quits. There was apparently another injury setback that hasn't been announced just yet."

#4. Sasha Banks on her desire to become a mother; opens up on a possible retirement from WWE and wrestling

Bayley finally turned on Sasha Banks on the latest episode of WWE SmackDown, and the Legit Boss is expected to be out of action for some time to sell the storyline injuries suffered as a result of the attack.

Sasha Banks recently appeared on D-Von Dudley's Table Talk podcast, and the former WWE RAW Women's Champion was asked about when she plans on retiring.

Banks stated that she is still very young and has no plans of hanging up her boots anytime soon. Sasha Banks joked that she could end up having a career like Ric Flair in the WWE.

Here's her update when asked about the retirement:

"I'm gonna do it until I just feel like I've done everything I've wanted to do. How about that? How about that? Healthy as well. I'm gonna leave healthy, happy, and really fulfilled with what I've done because I already have been really fulfilled, and I'm very thankful, and I'm healthy with what I've been doing in the ring. I've been taking care of my body; I've been happy, healthy, and wholesome. Who knows how long. It could be forever. I could be like Ric Flair."

Banks also stated that she does plan on becoming a mother, and when the time comes, she would rightfully inform the WWE fans.

"Well, I don't know what the near future is, but definitely I would like to be a mother one day, and when that time is right, I'm sure the universe will let me know that."

#3. Vince McMahon's threat to Superstars engaging with third parties, locker room reaction to WWE's edict

The biggest story of the day has been about Vince McMahon's new edict, which has barred the WWE talents from engaging with third parties. WrestlingInc was the first to reveal in an exclusive report that the Superstars have been given a 30-day ultimatum to sever all ties with third-party platforms such as Cameo, Twitch, TikTok, Youtube, etc. The inability to do so could result in fines, suspensions, and immediate termination of the contracts for the Superstars.

Vince McMahon had a call with the Superstars, and the WWE Boss said that it was the duty of the talents to promote and protect the brand.

Vince McMahon then sent a letter to the Superstars, an excerpt of which can be found below:

"Some of you are engaged with outside third parties using your name and likeness in ways that are detrimental to our company. It is imperative that these activities be terminated within the next 30 days (by Friday October 2). Continued violations will result in fines, suspension, or termination at WWE's discretion."

The backstage reaction, as expected, has not been positive as there is a section of the roster who are livid by WWE's request.

Fightful Select and PWInsider revealed several details on how the locker room has reacted to WWE's controversial edict, and you can read more about that here.

Additionally, Tom Colohue also revealed more information about the talent response to the third party ban and the reason behind WWE's move.

Dave Meltzer also revealed that Lana's recent Instagram posts might have pushed WWE to make the decision. Here's what he stated:

The straw that broke the camel's back was CJ Perry's Bang Energy drink commercials.

The fan backlash has been overwhelming, and it would be interesting to see if WWE changes their stance on the issue.

#2. Roman Reigns requested WWE to turn him heel

Roman Reigns looks like a Superstar reborn ever since he turned heel and joined forces with Paul Heyman. The Big Dog had been out of action due to the health risks attached to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he made his WWE return at SummerSlam.

Dave Meltzer has now revealed in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Roman Reigns himself requested the WWE to turn him heel.

It's not known whether it was Reigns or McMahon who made the call to put Heyman with Reigns, but Reigns did ask to be turned heel on his return after being out of action since March due to concerns over COVID-19.

Meltzer also noted that while it wasn't sure who made the call to pair Reigns and Heyman together, the plan was ideal as Paul Heyman had nothing to do despite being on a top-tier WWE contract.

As far as Heyman, he has a top tier contract and without Brock Lesnar, they could either pay him a high figure to be a booking consultant after removing him from the guy working under Vince McMahon in charge of Raw, or try and make use of him as talent, so it fell together.

Roman Reigns is scheduled to take on his cousin Jey Uso at Clash of Champions, and there are many interesting reasons as to why WWE may have decided to book the unique match.

#1. Chris Jericho on possibly facing Brock Lesnar in AEW, reveals details of a nixed WWE match

Brock Lesnar's WWE status is being discussed extensively by the fans and pundits, and the belief is that the Beast Incarnate would end up re-signing with WWE.

However, there is a possibility of AEW offering Brock Lesnar a contract and Lesnar would also want to use that as leverage to get a better deal from the WWE.

Amidst all the rumors surrounding Brock Lesnar's future, Chris Jericho opened up on potentially having a match against Lesnar in AEW during an interview with Sports Illustrated.

While Jericho felt that Brock Lesnar doesn't really fit the AEW idea, the decision to sign the Beast Incarnate would be in Tony Khan and Lesnar's hands.

Jericho, however, said that he would be happy to face Lesnar and smack the former Universal Champion in his fat face. Le Champion also revealed that he was originally scheduled to face Brock Lesnar in April 2018, but Vince McMahon apparently nixed the plan.

"I don't know if Brock fits the whole AEW idea or attitude. That's a Tony Khan decision and a Brock decision. Do I think Brock does this every few years just to up his price with Vince? Of course he does. He's a genius when it comes to that. But hey, if he showed up in AEW, I'd be happy to go up against him and do the match we were supposed to do in April of 2018 in WWE that Vince then changed. We've never had a match on TV or pay-per-view, ever. If it came about, I'd be happy to go up and smack him in his fat face."