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Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring you the biggest updates and rumors from the world of WWE.
In today's edition, we will take a look at what the future may hold for former Universal Champion Kevin Owens who, much like Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns, has decided not to take part in WWE tapings due to the COVID-19 situation.
We will also reveal if the rumors about a former World Champion making an in-ring comeback are true or not, and why Randy Orton 'welled up' because of Tommaso Ciampa among other things.
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Before we take a look at the hottest rumors of the day, let's recollect last week's biggest news and rumors from the world of pro-wrestling!
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#5 Kevin Owens opts out of WWE RAW tapings
Fightful have reported that Kevin Owens was not part of the tapings that took place recently. Kevin Owens reportedly informed WWE early on Wednesday that he will not be able to come for the tapings due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
They have also reported that there is no backstage heat on The Prizefighter Kevin Owens for his decision to not appear on Monday Night RAW tapings. It is said that Kevin Owens was very respectful in his request to avoid being part of the RAW tapings.
There is no heat on Kevin Owens for opting out of the tapings. Owens apparently expressed his decision to not appear in a respectful manner. The WWE management, however, hopes to have Owens back for the next set of tapings. As of this writing, Kevin Owens' status is unclear, the report further added.
Reports have suggested that the atmosphere in the PC has been chaotic ever since WWE decided that everyone needs to get tested after a Superstar tested coronavirus positive.
With Kevin Owens joining the ranks of Superstars who have refused to come to work due to the ongoing pandemic, will other Superstars follow suit?
#4 Reported backstage heat on Street Profits for breaking script on WWE RAW
This week on RAW, The Street Profits made a surprising move considering the current circumstances. The WWE RAW Tag Team Champions decided to head into the enclosure for fans and PC recruits and went on to high-five the audience, thus coming in direct contact with the fans - something that has not been permitted by WWE and flouts all the rules for social distancing.
Tom Colohue has reported that the people backstage were not happy with this risky endeavor undertaken by The Street Profits.
The backstage areas were upset with the Street Profits that they went out and joined the crowd. The plan was not to go out, They were giving high fives to everyone, and they have obviously taken a risk with that. Dominik's run through the crowd, that was planned, and he was definitely breaking social distancing with how close he was to some of these people later on. So there was something planned, and there was something not planned.
Although mingling with the crowd has always been a part of The Street Profits' entrance, they should have kept in mind that the times have changed and such interactions would put them and others at risk.
#3 WWE legend Randy Orton reveals how he 'welled up' after seeing Tommaso Ciampa
Former WWE Champion Randy Orton recently spoke to CBS Sports and discussed NXT veteran Tommaso Ciampa and his ongoing social media feud with the former NXT Champion.
While talking about how he wants to face Ciampa and the reasons behind his 'leg-slap' comments on Twitter, Orton also talked about how he got emotional on seeing Ciampa's documentary on the WWE Network.
That man has got a little baby. Just this morning I watched his 'Black Heart' documentary on WWE Network that followed him around after his neck surgery. I'll admit, I welled up and got a little tear in my eye when he woke up from the neck surgery and his beautiful little daughter was sitting on his lap and he was touching her face and just happy to see her and his wife. That's heartwarming.
The social media beef started when Randy Orton took a jab at NXT Superstars saying that he offers a 'leg-slap' for their efforts at NXT TakeOver: In Your House, to which Ciampa replied by calling Orton's matches boring and better than Nyquil.
#2 Backstage update on Christian's future as an in-ring WWE Superstar
Former WWE World Champion Christian made his return to in-ring competition this past week when he faced Randy Orton in an unsanctioned match on RAW. The 'match' lasted seconds after Ric Flair low-blowed Christian followed by Orton punting him for a quick win.
Christian had returned for a match after six years, and there is increasing speculation on whether Captain Charisma is planning to follow his best-friend Edge and come out of retirement as well. Tom Colohue, however, has stated that Christian is still not fit to compete and is medically not cleared.
He also spoke about how Christian's arrival on WWE RAW helped increase the ratings of the show.
Also another one of Vince's go-to's is leaking information. The Christian information was leaked early in the day and almost everybody had it. In the hours preceding RAW, almost every wrestling journalist was talking about Christian... and they weren't being subtle about it. At all. I'm confident that information was meant to get out, to get the ratings going. And by the look of it, it did pay off.
#1 Asuka's push in WWE to reportedly continue
With Paul Heyman being removed as the Executive Director of Monday Night RAW, there has been a lot of speculation on who is safe and who isn't in terms of being pushed on WWE RAW. Considering most of the Superstars who were being pushed on RAW were favorites of Paul Heyman, it is likely that some of the Superstars will lose their steam in the coming weeks.
However, as per WrestleTalk, Asuka will not be one of those Superstars as Vince McMahon is reportedly high on the RAW Women's Champion.
However, our sources have told us that WWE higher-ups, including Vince himself, as still high on Asuka and see value in her as a top player in the women’s division, especially in the absence of Becky Lynch.
Asuka won the 2020 Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match and was given the RAW Women's Championship by Becky Lynch on RAW, as The Man relinquished the title and went on a sabbatical due to pregnancy.
It will be interesting to see how Asuka is booked on RAW in the coming weeks as she prepares to feud with Nia Jax and potentially Charlotte Flair.
