WWE Rumor Roundup: Current Champion to be replaced; 5-time World Champion released; McIntyre's future plans - 15th April 2020

Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring you the biggest WWE news and rumors from the day.

In an unfortunate turn of events, WWE has announced that multiple personnel including active Superstars will be released from the company owing to budget cuts. Multiple reports have stated that the company will be giving them a good severance package and have informed all the involved Superstars personally.

These are indeed tough times for the world, and we hope for the very best for these Superstars and backstage employees who have been released by the company.

Let us take a look at the 5 biggest stories of the day:

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#5 Pete Dunne to be replaced in NXT Tag-Team Championship match

🚨BREAKING 🚨Per @RealKingRegal, 1️⃣ The #BROserweights will find a temporary replacement for @PeteDunneYxB. 2️⃣ @SuperKingofBros will defend the NXT Tag Team Championship with that partner against #UndisputedERA TONIGHT on #WWENXT!! pic.twitter.com/ZCnae8lI4u

— WWE’s The Bump (@WWETheBump) April 15, 2020

Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle hold the NXT Tag-Team Championships. Unfortunately, owing to the global lockdown, Dunne will be unable to come to the USA to compete at NXT.

NXT GM William Regal announced on WWE's The Bump that The Bruiserweight will be replaced in the NXT Tag-Team Championship match where Matt Riddle and his new partner will take on The Undisputed Era.

Regal also explained that Riddle's new partner will be declared the Tag-Team Champion if they manage to retain, up until Pete Dunne returns to action.

It will be interesting to see who The Original Bro will choose to team up with in order to take on The Undisputed Era on NXT.

@SuperKingofBros will defend the NXT Tag Team Championship with that partner against #UndisputedERA TONIGHT on #WWENXT!!

The Undisputed Era are former NXT Tag Team Champions and will look to regain the gold as Riddle scrambles to find a new partner on such short notice. The fact that Regal has stated that the new partner will be considered the current Champion, it is safe to assume that it does not look like The Undisputed Era will be walking out victorious after NXT.

#4 Kurt Angle released by WWE

As noted earlier, WWE has decided to release multiple Superstars and backstage agents as part of their budget cuts owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is the current statement by WWE:

WWE has come to terms on the release of Kurt Angle, Drake Maverick (James Curtin), Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers), Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra), Luke Gallows (Drew Hankinson), Heath Slater (Heath Miller), Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz), Rowan (Joseph Ruud), Sarah Logan (Sarah Rowe), Mike Chioda, Mike Kanellis (Mike Bennett), Maria Kanellis, EC3 (Michael Hutter), Aiden English (Matthew Rehwoldt), Lio Rush (Lionel Green), Primo (Edwin Colon) and Epico (Orlando Colon Nieves). We wish them all the best in their future endeavors

The releases are reportedly not over yet and more Superstars will be joining the list of axed employees soon. As per reports, many more may lose their jobs.

Kurt Angle is a former 5-time World Champion in WWE and is also part of the Hall of Fame. The former RAW General Manager is one of the most iconic stars in WWE and his release comes as a major surprise.

Angle had taken up a backstage role ever since he officially retired from in-ring action at WrestleMania 35 after losing to Baron Corbin.

Visit WWE Raw Results for results of WWE RAW

#3 Future plans for Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre finally stands at the top of the mountain having won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36 by defeating The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar.

While some rumors suggest that a future match between Lesnar and McIntyre is still on the cards, it looks like WWE have chosen Seth Rollins as the next-in-line for a shot at the WWE Championship.

Here is what Cagesideseats have stated:

Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins looks to be one of the top matches for Money in the Bank.

Drew McIntyre won the 2020 Royal Rumble and chose to face The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36. The Scottish Psychopath managed to run through Lesnar and defeat the monstrous Superstar in a matter of minutes.

After a successful title defense against The Big Show on last week's RAW, McIntyre was attacked by the Monday Night Messiah this week. It looks like the newly crowned Champion has his hands full and will be taking on The Architect in one of his biggest challenges till date.

Get the full list of WWE Events affected by the corona virus pandemic

#2 Christian talks about a possible in-ring return

Former 2-time World Champion Christian was part of Booker T's podcast - Hall of Fame - recently and spoke about a variety of topics. Captain Charisma also spoke about the possibility of him returning to in-ring action following the footsteps of his best-friend Edge who returned to WWE after 9 years of retirement.

Here is what Christian had to say:

I mean, it's one of those things right? It's a completely different injury. I'm pretty contempt with all that I have accomplished in WWE. I pretty much accomplished everything I wanted to do except main event WrestleMania and I mean, let's be honest, how many people actually get to do that?

The host of the Peep Show further talked about how he feels that he will not return as an in-ring Superstar:

I'm 46 years old, and I had some concussion issues. I don't see it happening. I'm medically disqualified. I'm not sure how or what can get me cleared.

Though many fans would want to see E&C one more time, it looks like with Christian's current status, that may still be a distant dream.

#1 Vince McMahon high on Asuka

Asuka was touted as one of NXT's biggest exports to the main roster when she debuted in 2017. However, unlike her run in NXT and Japan, Asuka had to take a back seat on the main roster.

Even though the Empress of Tomorrow has won the SmackDown Women's Championship as well as the Women's Tag Team Championship on the main roster, many fans would agree that she has not been used to her full potential.

That all may be changing very soon as WrestleTalk has revealed that Vince McMahon and higher-ups are very impressed with the former NXT Women's Champion and she may be in for a big push soon.

Well, it seems like fans may be getting their wish as WrestleTalk has learned that Vince McMahon has been very impressed with Asuka in recent weeks, and a push is in her future. Our sources noted that Vince and other WWE higher-ups have seen the ‘Empress of Tomorrow’ as incredibly reliable during these challenging times.

There is a chance now that Asuka may get the big singles push fans have been waiting for.