'%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)
It's WrestleMania season in the WWE, and we are just under two weeks away from the biggest pay-per-view of the year.
Of course, there are several stories about WrestleMania 37, but the mega event isn't the only wrestling-related topic discussed online. Today's edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup begins with the truth about a long-running rumor about Bayley's relationship with a popular WWE Superstar.
Seth Rollins spoke about Becky Lynch's WWE return in a new interview. Thea Trinidad, aka Zelina Vega, has reportedly signed a new contract following her WWE release.
Randy Orton also opened up about when he plans on retiring ahead of his WrestleMania 37 match against The Fiend.
We end the roundup with all the details regarding the WrestleMania 37 changes and how there are some concerns about Edge's look.
#5. Bayley reveals the truth about her relationship with WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor
Bayley was the guest on Renee Paquette's Oral Sessions podcast, and WWE's Role Model addressed rumors about her relationship with Finn Balor.
Bayley and Finn Balor posted several pictures together a few years ago, and the fans legitimately thought that the Superstars were dating in real life. Fans even googled whether Bayley was married to Finn Balor, and the former SmackDown Women's Champion said that she was surprised to encounter the question during her online research.
Bayley recalled that her alliance with Finn Balor was not even a storyline in NXT, to begin with.
"It wasn't even a storyline; we kind of made it ourselves on NXT. He sprained his ankle, and he wasn't having a match. Everybody thought that it would be funny if I did his entrance because of my character. Then they just loved it so much, and we got so much love on YouTube when someone posted it. He did my entrance."
Bayley had great chemistry with Finn Balor, and WWE decided to team them up for the Mixed Match Challenge. The former SmackDown Women's Champion even revealed that she faced issues in her real-life relationship due to her on-screen angle with Finn Balor.
Bayley clarified that she and Balor have always been just friends. She had a great time working with Balor and reminded everyone that Balor is married to journalist Veronica Rodriguez.
"We are obviously not married. He is married to a beautiful woman, and he seems so happy. That was so fun, we had so much with each other, and then we got to be Mixed Match Challenge partners." H/t Shruti Sadbhav of Sportskeeda Wrestling
Bayley continues to remain close friends, but could they cross paths again on WWE programming? Only time will tell.
#4. Thea Trinidad, aka Zelina Vega, has signed a new contract after her WWE release
Thea Trinidad was released from the WWE in November 2020 due to differences with the company's third-party edict. The former WWE star has continued to stream on Twitch, but she has also been noticeably patient about her next professional wrestling project.
Dave Meltzer reported in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Thea Trinidad has signed a new contract, and it is not with All Elite Wrestling.
Meltzer revealed that Trinidad signed a short-term deal, but didn't disclose the name of the promotion. While Trinidad won't be able to work with AEW anytime soon, Meltzer didn't rule out the possibility of her being All Elite in the future.
Trinidad has signed a deal, we don't know with who or even that it's with a wrestling promotion, but the deal she signed would not allow her to work for another wrestling company and it was not with AEW. It was a somewhat short-term thing and the door wasn't shut on her eventually working with AEW but it won't be any time imminently.
Which company do you think Trinidad has joined on a short-term basis? Let us know in the comments section.
#3. Randy Orton reveals when he plans on retiring from WWE
Randy Orton is getting ready for another clash against The Fiend at WrestleMania 37, and WWE's Viper recently revealed his retirement plans on Stone Cold Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions podcast.
Randy Orton is currently 40 years old and has been wrestling for a very long time. The 14-time WWE Champion said that he intends on wrestling for at least ten more years. However, Orton realizes that he needs to work on his physical condition to extend his career.
"I'll see pictures from five years ago where I'm like, 'I gotta get back to that kind of shape.' My wife brought it to my attention the other day, 'Back then, in 2014, when you looked like that, you thought you looked like shit.' You're never going to be happy. At 40, I want to wrestle another decade if I can. I know it's not about getting my pecs up here, like Bobby Lashley and Batista; it's about making sure my shoulder stays in.
Randy Orton is focused on career longevity, and he wants to wrestle for as long as he physically can in the WWE. Orton is proud to be a pro wrestler, and he can't think of anything else that he would like to pursue.
It's about longevity for me. I want to do this as long as I can. I don't see branching off to do this or that like a lot of guys do. This is my home and what I do. I am a professional wrestler. H/t Figthful
Randy Orton has been in the WWE since 2001, and his desire to wrestle until he is 50 could lead to several records being broken along the way.
#2. Seth Rollins opens up on Becky Lynch's WWE return
Seth Rollins has taken a slightly different path in the WWE ever since he returned to TV following his daughter Roux's birth.
Rollins might be back with a new gimmick, but fans are eagerly looking forward to his wife's wrestling comeback. Seth Rollins was asked about Becky Lynch's WWE return status during a recent interview with Dayton 24/7 Now.
Seth Rollins refused to give away any details about Becky Lynch's return as he felt that it would mean betraying her.
"Would you betray your wife's trust for a television interview? Come on now; I would never. It is not a smart thing to do. You've got to go home to your wife; I've got to go home to my wife. I would never...all the respect to you. Appreciate the background. But there is no way I am gonna divulge Becky Lynch's secrets," said Seth Rollins.
Seth Rollins also revealed that his daughter is the driving force behind his new 'Embrace the Vision' gimmick. Rollins wants Roux to have a bright future, and he knows he has to take his job seriously to achieve his goals.
"It all goes together. It's a big synergy. She is the reason for Embrace the Vision. She needs to have a bright future, and I cannot do that if I'm not taking things seriously," said Seth Rollins.
Becky Lynch will surely be training for her return, but as of this writing, there are no backstage updates about her WWE return.
#1. WrestleMania 37 changes, backstage concern in WWE over Edge's age
As confirmed on SmackDown, the WWE Universal title match for WrestleMania 37 will now be a Triple Threat match featuring Roman Reigns, Edge, and Daniel Bryan.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Newsletter that Vince McMahon called for several changes to the WrestleMania 37 card, and the Universal title match was high on the boss' list.
Several suggestions were made backstage, and most of them were said to be bad ideas. The creative team and the officials eventually agreed to include Daniel Bryan in the title match, and the feeling is that he would be the babyface of the program.
That was a late change stemming from a decision made by Vince McMahon that he wanted a number of things changed, including Reigns vs. Edge. Numerous suggestions were made by a lot of people, most of which were said to be bad. The one eventually greenlit was adding Bryan to the match, which everyone agreed to. At that point, the feeling was Bryan would be the face.
Wrestling Observer was also told there was some concern backstage regarding Edge's age. It was noted that while the number itself wasn't a significant issue, the 47-year-old Edge has looked old on TV every week, and that was an alarming factor.
However, the lineup changes stemmed from Vince McMahon's decision to shake-up the existing plans for WrestleMania 37.
One person close to the situation said that the age issue, not as much the number as the look of age ("he was looking older each week") with Edge, was a concerning point. But really, it was said it was just McMahon wanting to shake up the plans.
Edge completed his heel turn on the most recent episode of WWE SmackDown, and the Triple Threat Universal title showdown now has a different dynamic. Did WWE do the right thing by adding Bryan to the match? Who goes over at WWE WrestleMania 37? Sound off in the comments section.
How did Ric Flair spend $1500 at a pizza place? More details here
