4 Wrestling rumors we hope are true and 3 we hope aren't: WWE's "significant" plans for two RAW stars in 2022, 3-time world champion wanted to be released?

Welcome to this week's edition of WWE/wrestling rumors we hope are true and those we hope aren't. It's the final edition for 2021, and just like Vince McMahon's promotion, we're looking to end the year with a bang.

2021 as a whole has been an interesting year in WWE and professional wrestling, particularly with the rise of AEW and the change in direction with the global juggernaut's programming.

The final edition of 2021 features backstage reports of a big change to the WrestleMania 38 main event and a possible twist in the Roman Reigns-Brock Lesnar feud.

Vince McMahon being stubborn about a certain clause in WWE Superstars' contracts, a former world champion turning face soon, a three-time world champion wanting to get a stunning release, and more. Let's begin:

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#4. Hope is true: Reason why WWE split AJ Styles and Omos prematurely

AJ Styles and Omos called it quits as a tag team after 14 months together on-screen. While the latter has only been an in-ring competitor in the last eight months, it has been a significant period as he's enjoyed a four-month reign with the RAW Tag Team Championship.

In the latest episode of the red brand, Styles and Omos were guests on Miz TV ahead of their match against The Mysterios. The giant had disclosed to The Miz (for some reason) that he felt The Phenomenal One was holding him back.

The tension boiled over after AJ Styles got pinned against The Mysterios and Omos was done with him. He attacked his partner, fully cementing the end of their partnership.

Rather than having a blow-off feud or a pay-per-view match to end their storyline, WWE chose to book a match between the two men on RAW a week later. Some feel that the breakup was timed well, while others felt it was premature.

As per the originally reported plans, things may have ended prematurely between the duo. WrestleVotes reported in a tweet that the company prematurely ended their partnership as they have big plans for both men going forward in early 2022:

We hope this is true because Styles, in particular, seems long overdue for a strong singles run again. It's been a while since we've seen him as a world title contender, and hopefully, he resumes main event programs - regardless of whether he becomes a three-time WWE Champion or not.

As for Omos, it will be interesting to see how the promotion handles him. Many felt that he is still far too green in the ring and character-wise to branch off into a singles run.

While some rumors have indicated that WWE considers Omos a Braun Strowman replacement, there seems to be a considerable gap in levels between the 7-ft 3-inch giant now and The Monster Among Men when he started his singles run in 2016.

#3. Hope isn't true: Stunning report on why WWE released Bray Wyatt

There were several reports after Bray Wyatt's WWE release. Vince McMahon's promotion has released a massive number of superstars since 2020, but none has been more shocking than that of Wyatt.

However, the case of his release appears to be different from most. Dave Meltzer said on the Wrestling Observer Radio that while Bray Wyatt's release scared a lot of people, the only reason they cut him was that he wanted out of the company and made "a lot of noise" for it to happen:

"Bray Wyatt is a completely different situation. Wyatt scared a lot of people because if someone like Wyatt gets fired, then only guys like Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar are safe. I think that’s not really the case when you are at that level. The only reason someone would want to cut someone like that would be if they wanted out and made a lot of noise about it," Meltzer said.

We hope this isn't true, because we can only assume that "made a lot of noise" refers to backstage troubles. It might even align with the reports that the WWE Chairman's relationship with Wyatt soured and that things didn't end on good terms.

#3. Hope is true: WWE planning a possible twist with Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar?

WWE fans were surprised when Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar was booked again for the Day 1 pay-per-view. The main reason for this is that Lesnar and Reigns are both expected to headline WrestleMania together for the third time in seven years.

But from the way things stand, that is still the plan. Paul Heyman was recently fired by Roman Reigns on SmackDown, and rather than making Heyman jump right back with The Beast Incarnate, WWE presented his position as someone who is contemplating retirement.

This seems to be a ruse to throw fans off, and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that there could still be another big twist with Paul Heyman in the Reigns-Lesnar saga:

''There are different ways they can go, including a Lesnar title win to set up a WrestleMania rematch, or Lesnar on the verge of winning and it comes out that the Heyman firing was a ruse and he double-crosses Lesnar. The idea should be what is the best way to build WrestleMania. It could also be that a Heyman double-cross of Lesnar could be saved for WrestleMania,'' said Meltzer.

We hope this is true because it's a clever way of keeping the Universal Championship on The Tribal Chief. It will be interesting if the big turn is saved for WrestleMania 38.

#2. Hope isn't true: Why WWE didn't put Mustafa Ali in the Chicago SmackDown tapings

Mustafa Ali has been off WWE television for a while now. His feud against Mansoor concluded before he went away on paternity leave. However, with SmackDown having one live episode on 17th December at Chicago as well as taping an additional show for the 24th, Ali was featured in neither episode.

Some fans assumed that it was because he is still on paternity leave, but that doesn't appear to be the case. According to Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select, the company simply had no plans for Mustafa Ali and he is waiting to return when called.

Sportskeeda Wrestling's Matt Black wrote:

"According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, he wasn't even present at the arena when the SmackDown shows were taped. Sadly, it appears that WWE did not have anything planned creatively for Mustafa Ali's return to his hometown of Chicago."

We hope this isn't true because it often starts a pattern of a superstar being in creative limbo. Hopefully, Ali is brought back to WWE TV soon.

#2. Hope is true: How WWE could change the WrestleMania 38 main event drastically

WWE Day 1's main event is going to be crucial because it will kickstart the road to WrestleMania - at least for Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. The road to The Show of Shows usually begins at Royal Rumble, but the seeds could be planted earlier in the month.

The issue with the rumored Reigns vs. Lesnar WrestleMania 38 main event is that the company needs something to be able to sell it the third time in six months - a tall order.

However, WWE could have a plan in place to make it more unique. As per Dave Meltzer of WON, the goal is for a strong-enough finish at Day 1, and Drew McIntyre could be added to the mix as well:

''The key is a finish strong enough to where they can headline the biggest show of the year coming off the finish, or do something to add Drew McIntyre to the mix if he wins the Royal Rumble, if the idea is to give Mania a unique match rather than a third meeting,'' said Meltzer.

We hope this is true because it could mean The Scottish Warrior getting his big WrestleMania moment in front of a live audience. It would also mark the third world title match in a row he has had at The Grandest Stage of Them All.

#1. Hope isn't true: Vince McMahon's thoughts on the no-cut clause for WWE Superstars

The concept of no-cut clauses in WWE was only recently in discussion after it was revealed that Kevin Owens couldn't get that clause in his new contract. There seems to be a reason for it.

The company has cut several superstars since 2020 when the global lockdown began. Many have viewed this as Vince McMahon being a ruthless businessman, as ultimately every single call is made by him.

With the likes of Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman getting released, fans realized that few superstars are safe from the chopping block. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported that while some people of influence want to implement the no-cut clause, McMahon is firmly against it:

"According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, the idea of a no-cut clause has been brought up internally, and 'several people of influence' were open to the idea. However, Vince McMahon is 'adamantly against' the idea of implementing no-cut clauses in the contracts of WWE Superstars."

We hope this isn't true because non-main event superstars will have to constantly worry about their job safety, reducing workplace morale in the process. It was also revealed that WWE contracts are essentially renewed automatically every 90 days unless the company decides to cut them.

#1. Hope is true: WWE planning a big character change for Bobby Lashley?

Bobby Lashley experienced a slump after losing the WWE Championship. While getting pinned by Big E and Roman Reigns isn't necessarily a bad thing, it was drastically different from the rest of his year - one that he dominated.

Lashley was RAW's top star for most of 2021 and enjoyed a lengthy and respectful reign as the top champion. Some have pointed out that his presentation as world champion has been far better than E's current reign.

Bobby Lashley has a chance at becoming a two-time WWE Champion at the Day 1 pay-per-view when he faces Big E, Seth Rollins, and Kevin Owens in a Triple Threat match.

Dave Meltzer revealed on the Wrestling Observer Radio that the company could possibly be planning a face turn for The All Mighty:

“If you watch the show you certainly get the impression that Bobby Lashley is going babyface. They played a total babyface video package for him at the pay-per-view, yeah. So, I mean it’s been feeling like that’s been in the cards and then he has to beat three guys to get in [to the Day 1 WWE Title match], I mean that’s a total babyface move,” said Meltzer.

We hope this is true because Lashley has been a heel for almost the entirety of his return run since 2018. While his 2020-2021 run was likely his career peak, a babyface turn might be a fresh change for the former WWE Champion.