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We are back with another exciting WWE News Roundup to look at the top stories that recently made headlines. For example, a former WWE star has given his take on Roman Reigns' character development.
An intriguing plan for a nixed storyline featuring Brock Lesnar has been revealed. Plus, The Bella Twins gave a significant update on their hit reality show not too long ago.
Meanwhile, a former head writer has speculated on the possible explanation behind Ruby Riott's release from the company. Additionally, Nikki Cross revealed which WWE legend she studied when she wasn't being featured on television.
With that in mind, let's dive straight into the latest WWE News Roundup.
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#5 CM Punk comments on Roman Reigns' recent WWE SmackDown stint
Although CM Punk is no longer an active WWE competitor, he has frequently stated his opinions on the product since he left the company in 2014.
During Punk's recent appearance on the Wrestling Perspective Podcast, he acknowledged that the current Universal Champion is one of the better things about WWE these days.
“I think a lot of times the best stuff, you’ve also kind of just gotta go with the flow with it,” CM Punk said. “I’ll use Roman Reigns as an example, because if we’re talking about good stuff, if the WWE does anything good, I mean, this is the one thing that they’re doing right right now, right? Is Roman Reigns."
CM Punk added that as good as Roman Reigns is right now, WWE could have pulled the trigger on his character's transformation years ago.
“His character work, his in-ring stuff. It’s all great but I feel like, classic WWE, they’re always five years, 10 years late," Punk continued. "This is something that they should’ve done originally, because they tried so hard to get this guy over as a babyface and they gave him X amount of ‘Mania main events. Like, ‘This is the guy, this is the guy, this is the guy,’ and he never really had his moments until now.”
Roman Reigns has been the Universal Champion for more than 280 days at this point.
The majority of his storylines and segments have received critical acclaim thus far, and many fans are looking forward to his next major feud ahead of this year's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view.
#4 Aleister Black reveals canceled plans for a WWE storyline between him and Brock Lesnar
Last week, Aleister Black was released by WWE along with several other popular names. He has been quite open about his WWE release on social media, citing budget cuts as the reason why he was let go by the company.
During a recent appearance on Renee Paquette's Oral Sessions podcast, Black spoke about a few canceled creative plans for him in WWE. One of Paul Heyman's ideas for him included a feud with Samoa Joe or Brock Lesnar.
"One of Heyman’s ideas was to have Samoa Joe or Brock Lesnar come into the room at the time that would eventually lead to an interaction between me, Brock Lesnar or Samoa Joe," said Aleister Black. "I would cut a promo in this room, and Lesnar would come in through the darkness and choke me out and stuff."
Because they're both currently free agents, Samoa Joe and Aleister Black might cross paths outside of WWE.
By comparison, Aleister Black vs. Brock Lesnar is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Do you think WWE missed a significant opportunity in this case?
#3 WWE Hall of Famers Brie and Nikki Bella's thoughts on 'Total Bellas' possibly ending in the future
WWE Hall of Famers Nikki and Brie Bella's hit reality series, "Total Bellas", started way back in 2016. The Bella Twins have now confirmed that the show is expected to end in the next few years.
During a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight’s Deidre Behar, Nikki Bella revealed that she wants her son, Matteo, to have a normal upbringing. According to the former WWE Divas Champion, the twins "don’t just have to be a docusoap" forever.
“I told her [Brie] that I can maybe do a few more seasons of reality TV but I just can’t raise my son in front of the cameras,” Nikki Bella said. “I just don’t want him to look at me and be like, ‘You never gave me that choice.’ I want him to have a normal upbringing, and when he’s 18 he can choose whatever it is he wants to do, because Brie and I have felt this way about our kids. We’re like, ‘We don’t just have to be a docusoap. We could do something else that we’re really good at.’ Drinking wine [laughs], I like that.”
Brie Bella, who has two children with former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, also expects Total Bellas to end in the future.
“For me, it’s definitely going to be when Bryan is just like, ‘Brie, look at our kids, look at the situation. Is this what you want?’” Brie Bella explaind. “I feel like that’s gonna be the day I’m gonna be like, ‘No.’”
#2 Vince Russo's speculation on Ruby Riott's WWE release
On Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Writing With Russo, former WWE head writer Vince Russo recently discussed Ruby Riott's release from Vince McMahon's company.
After she spent four years in WWE, Riott was let go by the promotion last week. According to Russo, Shayna Baszler, Rhea Ripley, and Ruby Riott fit into a similar category of WWE talents. As a result, the former head writer felt that Riott may have been overshadowed by Baszler and Ripley on the main roster.
“All of a sudden, you’ve got Ruby Riott, who’s got a very, very, very unique look,” Vince Russo said. “But then, you make Shayna Baszler into a monster-looking female, you make Rhea Ripley. And now, all of a sudden, you’ve got three girls that fit into that same category. Somebody’s gotta be the odd one out.”
Since Sarah Logan and Ruby Riott are no longer a part of WWE, Liv Morgan is the only Riott Squad member who remains active on the main roster.
Meanwhile, Shayna Baszler is currently involved in a controversial storyline with Alexa Bliss, and Rhea Ripley is at the top of the pecking order as the RAW Women's Champion.
#1 Nikki Cross reveals how she improved as a WWE performer
Since returning to WWE RAW last month, Nikki Cross has made her presence felt in a storyline with top stars such as Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair. But before May 2021, Cross hadn't been significantly featured on television for several months.
Cross recently spoke with Stephanie Chase of Digital Spy. In the interview, the former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion discussed her efforts in the months she didn't appear on WWE television. Cross revealed that she studied WWE Hall of Famer Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat's matches, who is one of her favorite performers.
"So the last few months I've been training in-ring as much as I can," Nikki Cross said. "I've been training four times a week, just doing everything I can to be the best competitor that I can be, working on different things and just introducing new moves to the move set. I've been studying as much tape as I can, watching a lot of matches. I've been watching a lot of Ricky Steamboat, a big favorite of mine."
Nikki Cross also said that she has watched matches of her own to self-assess and improve as a competitor in WWE.
Since Cross has technically defeated Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley recently, do you think she should get a RAW Women's Championship shot soon?
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for more WWE news and updates.
