'%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)
We are back with another exciting WWE News Roundup.
A former WWE employee has given his take on a potential clash between "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns. SmackDown's Otis recently revealed another drastic appearance change.
Meanwhile, a popular NXT star has listed a few former and current champions she hopes to face in WWE. Not too long ago, a veteran described the bizarre reason why he enjoyed choking out AJ Styles.
Additionally, Reigns spoke about his "favorite number two" in the company right now. With that in mind, let's dive straight into the latest WWE News Roundup.
Trending
Check out which wrestler EC3 finds cute RIGHT HERE
#5 Vince Russo's thoughts on Roman Reigns' post-SummerSlam WWE opponent
WWE Money in the Bank on July 18 will feature a Universal Championship match between Roman Reigns and Edge.
Reports suggest that Reigns vs. John Cena, while not confirmed yet, will be the targeted SummerSlam main event on August 21. Although the current Universal Champion's post-SummerSlam plans remain unclear, former WWE head writer Vince Russo has spoken about a potential match between "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns.
During a recent edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's Writing with Russo, the veteran writer said that a feud between the two stars would intrigue him. However, there's always the possibility that WWE's creative team "would book it terribly" in the long run.
“He [The Fiend] always interests me no matter who he’s with,” stated Vince Russo. “But, bro, how cool would it be if after Cena, how cool would it be if The Fiend showed up on SmackDown? That’s totally different. Bro, let’s face it, they would book it terribly. You and I both know that, but the visual of him just showing up. If they knew how to do that, I think there’s something there.”
At the moment, Roman Reigns is on Friday Night SmackDown while Bray Wyatt last appeared on the Monday Night RAW episode after WrestleMania 37.
Following SummerSlam, the 2021 WWE Draft is rumored to take place across the August 30 edition of RAW and the September 3 edition of SmackDown. So if a match between Reigns and The Fiend were to take place, both stars would likely be on the same brand as a result of the draft.
While Bray Wyatt has faced Roman Reigns several times in the past, his alter-ego, The Fiend, never crossed paths with the current Universal Champion in a singles match.
However, they do share some important history as The Fiend lost the Universal title to Reigns in a triple threat bout last year.
What are your thoughts on a potential one-on-one showdown between these two WWE Superstars after SummerSlam?
#4 WWE SmackDown's Otis reveals new look; talks in his real voice
Gone are the days when Otis used to portray one of the most lovable characters in WWE. Since aligning with Chad Gable, things have gradually changed for him on SmackDown.
A few weeks ago, Otis unveiled a clean-shaven look. During the latest edition of WWE's The Bump, he even sported a new hairstyle, as seen in the tweet embedded below:
A popular aspect of Otis's babyface character was that he always spoke in a hyped-up comedic tone. But during the interview, he remained relatively serious and interacted in his authentic voice.
In the video posted above, you can check out Otis conversing from the 26:24 mark onward.
Interestingly, he has an amateur wrestling background, just like Chad Gable. Aligning with the latter on WWE television has prompted the former Heavy Machinery star to ditch comedic shenanigans and unleash his "inner-alpha."
Many fans wanted Otis to adopt a more serious persona back when he held the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Now that the SmackDown star isn't a full-fledged comedy character anymore, what are your thoughts on his transformation thus far?
#3 WWE's Franky Monet hopes to face top superstars
WWE NXT Superstar Franky Monet (fka Taya Valkyrie) has shared her list of dream matches with a few current and former champions.
During an interview with Nick Hausman of Wrestling Inc., Monet named the current RAW and SmackDown Women's Champions, Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair, as stars she would like to face on the main roster.
The NXT performer also listed WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Natalya, among other former champions like Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks. Additionally, Franky Monet echoed the sentiments of the WWE Universe and said she would "love for Becky Lynch to come back."
"I’d love to face Nattie. I’d love to face Naomi. I’d love to face Charlotte," said Franky Monet. "I’d love for Becky Lynch to come back. Sasha Banks, the new talent in Bianca Belair and of course, Rhea Ripley, it’s just an endless amount of these dream matches, and I can’t wait to be fully, totally in the mix and really get started on that."
Becky Lynch married Seth Rollins last month.
She has reportedly taken part in live matches at the Performance Center on the road to her potential WWE return in the future.
#2 Why Samoa Joe loved choking out WWE RAW Tag Team Champion AJ Styles
Samoa Joe and AJ Styles share a long history that goes beyond their WWE careers. At the moment, Styles is an active in-ring competitor as the RAW Tag Team Champion alongside his 7ft 3in ally, Omos. Joe was released from WWE back on April 15, 2021. However, he returned to NXT as an enforcer just two months later.
During a recent appearance on Out of Character with Ryan Satin, Samoa Joe revealed the bizarre reason as to why he loved to trap AJ Styles in the Coquina Clutch. Apparently, it's all related to Styles' "impeccably smelling" hair conditioner.
"AJ [Styles] always has impeccably smelling conditioner in his hair. It's always very pleasant for me. I get a little lavender, a little lilac with my pain and agony. It's a rare thing, you don't get that combination and you can't buy that in the street," said Samoa Joe. "It's a specialized and happy experience and I get to enjoy it every time I wrap my arms around AJ's neck. He's number one. You can't beat that. Sometimes, the shea butter, I'm not a big fan when he puts that in his hair, it doesn't have the same scent. When he goes lavender or when he goes to the body shop and gets the good stuff, trust me, it's a great night for me."
After Samoa Joe's return to WWE television, which recently released stars would you like to see the company re-hire at some point this year?
#1 Roman Reigns' interesting thoughts on passing the torch to another WWE Superstar
Roman Reigns is arguably one of the biggest stars at this point in his WWE career. Just like any other successful performer in the company, Reigns is well aware that he has to pass on the torch to a deserving superstar in the future.
During a recent interview on ESPN's Cheap Heat with Peter Rosenberg, the WWE Universal Champion called Drew McIntyre his "favorite number two." Roman Reigns believes there's nobody on the roster who can replace him as the top star right now. However, McIntyre might take up that spot at some point down the road.
"In a perfect world, if there was an opportunity to pass the torch to him [Drew McIntyre], he's the one guy I think that has captivated my attention in that manner," said Roman Reigns. "But at the same time, he ain't there. And it's only because I'm still here, so solid, within my foothold, my stronghold. The flag is fully planted in, so I can't even think about it now. But I mean, John [Cena] needed somebody to come in, so he could move on and try new things and take care of his body. I will eventually need that. But there's just nobody at this point."
Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre have fought each other in the past.
Their most recent singles encounter occurred at last year's WWE Survivor Series event, where Reigns emerged victorious in a match that lasted almost 25 minutes.
