WWE News & Rumor Roundup: Former world champion requires surgery, Top heel to turn babyface, Possible spoiler on Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar plan at Day 1 - 29th December 2021

Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE News and Rumor Roundup. With Day 1 just a few days away, the company is trying its best to promote the show as one of the biggest events of the year.

The main event will be a rematch between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. WWE might have an interesting twist planned for the match, which will be addressed later in the article. Apart from that there are also a few other stories involving big names such as AJ Styles, Goldberg and Liv Morgan.

So without any further ado, let's dive in and check out the latest stories and updates related to WWE:

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#5 AJ Styles is set to become a babyface on WWE RAW

A few weeks ago, AJ Styles' tag team with Omos imploded on WWE RAW. While it seemed like Styles was going to be the heel and Omos the babyface, it looks like WWE has changed direction and wants the former WWE Champion positioned as a babyface going forward.

As per PWInsider, Styles will take the role of a babyface whereas Omos will be the monster heel in their feud. This week on RAW, the 44-year-old showed hints of being a babyface by accepting Apollo Crews' challenge on RAW. Omos was missing this week as he was sent back. According to PWInsider:

''AJ Styles will be taking the spot as the babyface in the storyline, with Omos as the heel. The changeup looks to be quite odd as the former tag team duo were presented with the opposite character dynamic in the breakup.''

Reports also indicate that the feud between Omos and Styles seems rushed as WWE wants the program over before the road to WrestleMania begins.

#4 WWE legend Goldberg says his shoulder has been destroyed

The WWE Hall of Famer revealed on The Pat McAfee Show that his shoulder has been destroyed over the years and is in dire need of surgery. However, Goldberg also stated that he is postponing the surgery until he is done with his WWE run. He doesn't want a situation to arise wherein he is needed by Vince McMahon but cannot make it.

"I felt pretty good. I won't tell everybody on national radio or television that my shoulder has been destroyed for the last three years, five years, eight years, and I need surgery. I'll get it when I'm done; I'll get it when I'm finished. If Vince [McMahon] calls me tomorrow morning and says, 'Goldberg, we need you in a month.' What am I going to do if I get surgery? I'll get it done when it's time,'' said Goldberg.

Goldberg last competed at Crown Jewel, where he defeated Bobby Lashley. Reports suggest he has one more match left on his WWE contract.

#3 Spoiler on plans for Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar at WWE Day 1

Roman Reigns will defend the Universal Championship against Brock Lesnar at WWE's Day 1 pay-per-view. Paul Heyman is a wildcard, and it is not clear what role he will play.

Though he served as Reigns' special counsel, The Tribal Chief fired Heyman believing he was in cahoots with Lesnar. On SmackDown, the former ECW head honcho said that he was done for the time being. However, Dave Meltzer of The Observer has said that Heyman could play a big role in the Reigns vs Lesnar outcome.

“Obviously, he’s gonna have something to do with the storyline on Saturday because I was essentially told that it was very very important for WrestleMania that Roman Reigns does not miss this show, that Lesnar does not miss this show, and that Heyman does not miss this show. His name was mentioned to me in that context so obviously, there’s something big going on there,” said Dave Meltzer.

It is being speculated that Heyman's rift with Reigns could just be a ruse to cost Lesnar the match.

#2 Alberto Del Rio praises WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar

Former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio revealed what Brock Lesnar was like backstage. Speaking to SportsKeeda's 'UnSKripted with Dr. Chris Featherstone', Del Rio said that Lesnar was always amicable and behaved nicely with him and Ricardo Rodriguez.

The former WWE champion pointed out that while most of the top names were always nice to him, many snubbed his associate Ricardo Rodriguez. However, The Beast Incarnate never did that.

"Yes, he was always nice to us, both of us. All the performers were nice to me. But not all of them were nice to Ricardo. And you know we've talked about it in the past. But Brock was nice to both of us. That tells you a lot about the person that Brock Lesnar is. Because he could have just worked with me and ignored Ricardo as some other performers did, but he didn't,'' said Del Rio.

He also stated that he will always be grateful to Brock Lesnar for acknowledging Rodriguez and giving him due respect.

#1 Liv Morgan opens up about her controversial WWE promo

Liv Morgan spoke about her promo with Becky Lynch from a few weeks ago, where she brought up WWE releasing her friends. During the heated exchange, Morgan told Lynch that the Irish star's big contract cost her friends their jobs.

The promo wasn't well-received by the fans and it was believed to be a dig at all the superstars who had to lose their jobs. Speaking to CBS Sports, Morgan clarified that it wasn't her intention to hurt anyone.

"I knew what I was saying might have been a little bit touchy just because it's a sensitive topic. That's my truth and that's how I felt. My friends reached out to me afterwards and let me know how awesome they thought it was and how proud they were. I felt okay with it because I felt like I was defending their honor, they loved that I did it, and it's just how I felt." said Morgan.

Multiple superstars including Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan were let go by WWE as part of the mass releases.