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We welcome you back to another packed edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's WWE Rumor Roundup, and today's big story revolves around Adam Cole's status with the company.
Is the Panama City Playboy really done with the WWE? In addition to updates regarding Cole's future, the roundup also features an important note on why AEW officials were not interested in potentially signing an eight-time WWE world champion.
Several interesting backstage details have emerged about Keith Lee, and it focuses on the reported character change that Vince McMahon may have in store for the Limitless One.
Braun Strowman's next possible destination in professional wrestling was also reportedly disclosed. Additionally, we'll take a look at the story of WWE's new scouting instructions and how it could impact AEW's hiring practices.
On that note, here is the latest WWE Rumor Roundup:
#5. Adam Cole considered "done" internally within WWE, Vince McMahon wants to keep him
Adam Cole's WWE contract expired on Friday, August 27th, and based on the latest updates, the former NXT champion is yet to re-sign with the company.
As reported by PWInsider, WWE officials consider Adam Cole to be done with the promotion unless both parties come to terms on a new contract.
"As we have previously noted, WWE considers Cole done internally unless they come to terms on a new deal," PWInsider reported a few days back.
In this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Adam Cole had not decided about his future but was confirmed to be through with his NXT run.
It has been highlighted extensively over the past week that Cole will either have to choose between the WWE main roster or AEW. PWInsider added that the superstar was in a great position to negotiate with everyone and keep his options open.
Vince McMahon, however, wants Adam Cole to stay in the WWE, and creative plans for a proposed main roster run will only be constructed if the superstar puts pen to paper on a new contract.
Meltzer stated the following:
"Cole has yet to sign a contract and becomes a free agent on 8/27 with no non-compete. Either way, he's said to be done with NXT, although not necessarily WWE. Those close to Cole have said has not decided on his future, which would be either AEW or WWE main roster, but Vince McMahon definitely wants to keep him," said Dave Meltzer about the former NXT star's status.
Unless WWE manages to get Adam Cole's signature on another full-time deal, the former Undisputed Era leader is heavily favored to be AEW-bound.
#4. The reason why AEW was not interested in signing former WWE champion Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar made his WWE return at SummerSlam and shut down all speculation of a stunning move to AEW.
In the most recent Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that All Elite Wrestling never considered approaching Lesnar in the first place.
Meltzer stated that there "was nothing" to AEW wanting The Beast Incarnate as the company knew that it would take a lot of money to sign the eight-time WWE world champion.
Additionally, it was noted that the decision to get Brock Lesnar back at SummerSlam wasn't made to stop him from doing business with AEW. Lesnar's return as a babyface was designed to be WWE's big story of the weekend to counter CM Punk's internet-breaking AEW debut.
"While as best we can tell, there was nothing to AEW wanting him because the money to get him would be so high, one story has it that Vince McMahon didn't know that, but it appears it wasn't so much McMahon or FOX fearing his going to AEW as much as needing a big news story for the weekend as a counter," stated Meltzer.
Fans will have to wait for Brock Lesnar's storyline with Roman Reigns to get going on SmackDown, as WWE has first lined up a few other creative plans for The Tribal Chief and his Universal Championship reign.
#3. WWE and Vince McMahon are reportedly planning to give Keith Lee a new character
After a brief hiatus from in-ring action, it feels like Keith Lee is slowly and steadily finding his feet again in the WWE. The former NXT champion has wrestled in several dark matches after episodes of RAW and SmackDown in August.
Dave Meltzer revealed in the newsletter that WWE is setting the stage for Keith Lee's character transformation.
WWE officials are reportedly planning on giving Lee a new character, and the recent dark matches have been booked so he can practice a fresh style in front of crowds.
"They are bringing Lee to TV every Monday and Friday as they are trying to change his style and give him a new character and have him practice in front of fans, which is why his matches aren't being taped," noted Meltzer.
WrestlingNews.co added to the Observer's report and disclosed how Vince McMahon has also considered the possibility of turning Keith Lee into a monster heel on WWE television.
The former NXT star has battled severe health issues in recent months and has worked extremely hard to chart his path back to the ring. A repackaged Keith Lee could be a force to be reckoned with on Monday Night RAW for the remainder of 2021.
#2. Former WWE Superstar Braun Strowman is on his way to IMPACT Wrestling
Since being released from WWE in June, Braun Strowman has not shied away from dropping teasers about his future. Dave Meltzer now reports that Strowman is reportedly set to appear for IMPACT Wrestling.
He is not the only recently released WWE superstar expected to arrive at IMPACT Wrestling as Buddy Murphy will also work for the company under the 'Buddy Matthews' moniker.
"It appears that the former Braun Strowman and Buddy Murphy will be here, with Murphy as Buddy Matthews (his real name is Matthew Adams) and not sure what name Strowman will use," revealed Meltzer.
In case you missed it, Braun Strowman cryptically hinted towards an IMPACT Wrestling debut a few days ago on Twitter and also teased the introduction of his new in-ring name.
Scott D'Amore, IMPACT's Executive Vice President, recently added fuel to these rumors by saying the term 'Braun for Glory' during his appearance on a Twitch show.
With Bray Wyatt also allegedly on IMPACT Wrestling's radar, it would be interesting to see what kind of impact Strowman has on the company after his highly-anticipated return to professional wrestling.
#1. WWE is no longer scouting for independent talent
NXT's failure to topple AEW in the television rating war was always expected to bring about a significant change in WWE's developmental system.
As revealed by Dave Meltzer, WWE is no longer looking to sign top independent wrestlers as the focus is back on hiring talent based on their looks. It was added that Vince McMahon's company is reportedly willing to let AEW have all the independent wrestlers to themselves.
"Several in the company have told us that the word from the top is no more independent talent as far as scouting and such (keep in mind no "no more" doctrine in Wrestling really means that and guaranteed this will change in time) and that AEW can have all the independent talent to itself," Dave Meltzer noted.
WWE officials intend on conducting regular tryouts in Las Vegas moving forward, and the emphasis will be on getting in athletes from outside the wrestling world.
How do you honestly feel about WWE's latest doctrine regarding its hiring practices? Did any other story from today's roundup catch your attention? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
