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Welcome once again to another edition of Sportskeeda's Daily Rumor Roundup.
We say this quite often but today's lineup is the most stacked it has been all month. No exaggerations here. It was tough to narrow down to the ten rumors that are featured today.
Edge, Ric Flair, Brock Lesnar, Bray Wyatt, Daniel Bryan and Becky Lynch are just some of the names that make it to the latest edition of our roundup.
A surprising new gimmick change, a huge Royal Rumble return, a potentially confirmed Royal Rumble title match, Brock Lesnar's unexpected WrestleMania opponent, Daniel Bryan's future, a hot free agent who has WWE's attention and many more stories have been highlighted in today's edition.
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We have tons to look forward to today, so let's get the show underway and take a look at the biggest rumors of the day:
#10. Updates on Edge's possible in-ring return
Reports of Edge potentially returning to the ring for the first time since 2011 have dominated the news in the past few days.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider noted that there has been persistent talk going around backstage that hints towards the in-ring return of Edge. The WWE Hall of Famer reportedly signed a new deal with the company and had also met Dr. Joseph Maroon, WWE's Wellness Policy head a few months ago.
Johnson predicted that he wouldn't be surprised to see Edge return at the Royal Rumble as a surprise entrant before working a few matches on major events.
However, Edge took to Twitter and seemingly shut down any rumors of a comeback.
So what's the story here? Will Edge actually wrestle again? Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.
#9. Cain Velasquez return update
As revealed by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Oberver Newsletter, Cain Velasquez has been booked for the Royal Rumble show.
The 2-time UFC Heavyweight Champion last wrestled at the WWE Supershow in Mexico City, where he teamed up with Humberto Carrillo in a match against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
Velasquez has not been seen on TV since he wrapped up his short programme with Brock Lesnar. Going by the update, it wouldn't be far-fetched to conclude that Velasquez could be one of the surprise entrants in the Royal Rumble match.
#8. Brock Lesnar's WrestleMania opponent
Brock Lesnar is widely expected to defend the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 36.
On the most recent edition of Sportskeeda's Dropkick DiSKussions with Tom Colohue and Korey Gunz, Colohue revealed that the WWE could book Lesnar in a 'Mania match against Randy Orton.
Tom explained how the plans have been changed a few times due to the Drafts, Shakeups and other related booking decisions. WWE usually sets up the plans for WrestleMania well in advance, however, this year is different.
Colohue went on to add that there is a good chance that we see WWE revisit the 2016 programme between Orton and Lesnar. If you'd remember, Brock Lesnar pummelled The Viper in the SummerSlam main event that year.
Here's what Tom had to say:
“I think based on current storylines and what certain people are doing, I think it’s more likely to be someone like Randy Orton. I think that’s a match that has a story, has a background. In 2016, obviously, Brock Lesnar literally caved Orton’s skull in in the middle of a match [SummerSlam], so that’s something they could revisit.” H/t Credit: Danny Hart of Sportskeeda
#7. WWE wants to sign Killer Kross
Killer Kross bacame a free agent after Impact Wrestling granted him his release (finally) after a long-standing contractual deadlock.
As revealed by WrestleVotes, WWE is actively pursuing the former Impact Wrestling star and are expected to lure him into getting on board with a big conract. It was stated that WWE is pushing hard to get Kross, and it's said to be more aggresive than they do with other free agents.
WWE’s interest level is significantly high in signing Killer Kross. Source said he should get a similar offer to that of which was extended to Hangman Page last year. No telling if Kross will sign, but WWE is definitely pursuing him, harder than they normally pursue other FAs.
Killer Kross' girlfriend Scarlett Bordeaux is also a part of the WWE, which makes the possible signing seem quite likely to happen.
#6. WWE's surprising new direction for The Revival
You may be irked by the end of what you're about to read but when it comes to WWE, such things should be expected.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the WWE plans on turning The Revival into comedy characters. Yes, let that sink in.
Dash Wilder tripping on a recent episode of SmackDown was apparently set to be the beginning of a character transformation for the former Tag Team Champions.
The idea of the comedy characters is to do a spoof of The Fabulous Ones, a tag team from the 1980s. While it was added that the idea could be shot down as the reception has been mixed, WWE Creative is considering having the Top Guys indulge in some top comedy.
Here Meltzer noted:
The booking plan on Smackdown is to turn The Revival into comedy characters. There are mixed feelings on this for obvious reasons and it still may get shot down, but the deal where Wilder tripped and fell during the ring entrance was supposed to be the start of it. The Revival only has a few months left on their contracts and haven’t agreed to a new deal after attempting to get a release months ago. The proposed idea is to do a spoof of the Fabulous Ones, which, funny enough, is actually the original Fargos heel gimmick in the late 50s. Obviously the Revival persona is as different from the Fargos as possible,
#5. Paul Heyman's call for the Royal Rumble
As reported by Dave Meltzer in the latest WON, Paul Heyman made the call a few months ago to build towards a Royal Rumble match between Becky Lynch and Asuka.
It should be noted that Asuka was originally scheduled to face Lynch after The Man won the WrestleMania 35 main event. It was one of the reasons why WWE booked Asuka to go over Lynch clean at the last Royal Rumble in the SmackDown Women's Championship match.
However, WWE kept the plan on the backburner and revived it this time for the Royal Rumble.
The current plan is for Asuka to challenge Becky Lynch for the RAW Women's Championship at the Royal Rumble.
#4. Ric Flair's WWE contract status
Ric Flair, just like the other retired legends who appear on WWE TV, is signed with the company under a Legends contract.
Dave Meltzer revealed in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the Nature Boy's current deal comes to an end by the end of the year.
He noted that WWE will try their best to offer Flair a solid new deal to prevent the WWE Hall of Famer from possibly appearing on AEW TV. Flair is said to be a good friend of Tony Khan, as the AEW President was one of the guests at Flair's wedding.
There was speculation going around about Flair signing a new WWE deal after his merchandise was removed from the Pro Wrestling Tees website. However, that was just a move from his team as there were better business opportunities to push his merch.
As of this writing, the WWE Hall of Famer is yet to sign a contract extension.
#3. Daniel Bryan's opponent after The Fiend
Daniel Bryan recently returned with his old look and resumed his feud against The Fiend.
WWE Insider Tom Colohue revealed on the most recent edition of SK's Dropkick DiSKussions that Daniel Bryan could get back to feuding with Shinsuke Nakamura after he wraps up his current angle with Bray Wyatt.
Bryan should ideally get an opportunity 'to play' again with The Fiend at Royal Rumble, However, it was noted that the fans should not expect Bryan to be involved in the Royal Rumble match after he takes on The Fiend.
Tom stated the following:
“Daniel Bryan is unlikely to be in that match [versus The Fiend at the Royal Rumble] and then go on to the Rumble, so he would be unlikely to have the opportunity to face The Fiend [at WrestleMania]. We’ll have to see. It does depend heavily on who wins the Rumble, but I think Daniel Bryan’s storytelling in that regard is done and he will probably move back into his feud with Shinsuke Nakamura.” H/t Credit: Danny Hart of Sportskeeda
#2. WWE forced to change plans due to injury
Tom Colohue opened up on Seth Rollins' heel turn and alliance with The Authors of Pain on the latest episode of Sportskeeda's Dropkick DiSKussions.
Colohue told Korey Gunz that the original plan was for Seth Rollins to take on Kevin Owens at TLC. The heel turn was supposed to happen later, possibly on the RAW after the TLC PPV.
However, WWE was forced to pull the trigger after Rollins suffered a broken finger at a live event.
“It was a little bit rushed. The injury, even if it was a small injury to Seth Rollins’ hand, did mean that he couldn’t wrestle at least for a little while, so they pulled the trigger a bit early.”
“It was supposed to be a match at TLC, it was supposed to be a heel turn in the days after, maybe on Monday night [after TLC], but they brought it ahead a little bit. I thought it still had a lot of impact, but it’s a real shame they couldn’t be on the TLC card to really follow it up.” H/t Credit: Danny Hart of Sportskeeda
#1. Backstage plans for the top feuds on RAW
WWE is building up all the storylines as we head towards the Royal Rumble and WWE Creative has reportedly chalked out an elaborate plan for RAW.
Dave Meltzer revealed a few backstage ideas for RAW in the most recent Newsletter.
The plan is to push Andrade and Humberto Carrillo, with the idea of getting over both the Superstars in a feud.
Rey Mysterio will take on Andrade as well, while also continuing his angle with Rollins and AOP.
The Beastslayer and his lackeys will continue their feud with Kevin Owens.
The ideas here is to have top guys involved in multiple programmes.
For Raw, current ideas are to push Carrillo and Andrade in a program to try and get both over, as well as Andrade with Mysterio, and Mysterio with Rollins & AOP and Rollins with Owens. It’s having top guys with two different programs instead of one.
