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We're nearing the end of another year and the rumor mills are amping it up with when it comes to the output. There was a lot of speculation doing the rounds about many noteworthy topics in WWE.
We have an update about a babyface turn that has been a long time coming.
Three former champions could be on their way out and one them is even preparing for his time after he leaves the company. Dio Maddin may not be the most popular name around but his absence has certainly raised a few questions.
Bray Wyatt is the biggest Superstar in the company and we just can't have a rumor roundup these days without mentioning the Universal Champion.
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Mauro Ranallo's current status has been shrouded with mystery but we continue to get more updates on his condition and future with the company.
Did you know that a company sent out a memo to the talents stating that won't be allowed to contact a former WWE Superstar? A controversial Superstar made a few big claims on a recent appearance on Chris Jericho's podcast.
There's a lot to get into in today's roundup, so let's get to business.
#1. Backstage update on Matt Hardy's contract, reason why The Hardy Boyz could leave WWE soon
PWInsider reports that Matt Hardy's current WWE contract will expire in February.
Hardy potentially signing a new deal depends on how he's used from a creative standpoint going forward. It's being said that Hardy wants to be used appropriately as this could very well be the last wrestling contract he signs.
The Hardy Boyz are financially secure, but Matt would still like to get a lucrative deal, because, as stated earlier, this could be the 45-year-old's final contract.
The negotiations, however, depend on WWE's booking of Matt, who returned to TV this past week on RAW and lost to Buddy Murphy.
Matt's 'Free The Delete' Youtube Series could be pointing towards his plans outside WWE, but that's just speculation at the moment. WWE has not been able to unleash the full potential of the Broken gimmick in the WWE and he could very well use it to good effect outside the company. Hardy could also use his Youtube hints to get a better deal from WWE
Matt, however, is grateful towards the company for getting him and his brother back to the company's fold.
Regarding Jeff Hardy's status, Brother Nero's contract is also set to end in the first half of 2020 but WWE could always add on more time to his deal as he has been out due to injuries and other personal issues.
Jeff Hardy's recent DUI violations have put his WWE career in jeopardy and he could also leave the company if the contract negotiations fall through.
The WWE future of the Hardy Boyz now rests on how the contract talks go with the company and sadly for the WWE Universe, there are many hints that point to Matt and Jeff's WWE exit.
#2. Luke Harper preparing for his WWE exit?
It's a known fact that Luke Harper wants to leave the company, however, he's been forced to see out his contract by the powers that be. The former Intercontinental Champion doesn't have an option.
He returned to TV recently to be a part of the storyline featuring Erick Rowan, Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan.
Harper is back in the abyss again but he could be setting the groundwork for his time after he leaves the company.
As per a report from WrestlingNews.co, the former Wyatt Family member trademarked his non-WWE name - Brodie Lee, on November 26th and that's a big enough hint of his exit.
Harper's contract was originally supposed to end by now but WWE added on a few extra months that he missed due to injury.
The underrated Superstar is a proven commodity in the independent scene and could be an asset to AEW if he wishes to sign up with WWE's rivals when his contract expires soon.
#3. Vince McMahon lifts the ban on a prohibited word
'Wrestler' is not on the banned list anymore! Vince McMahon's age-old dictate of referring to wrestlers as Superstars has finally been relaxed for good.
Dave Meltzer was asked about the word possibly being unbanned by a Twitter user and the Wrestling Observer journalist replied with a straightforward 'yes'.
Dash Wilder commented on the thread and took credit for the ban being lifted:
Many Superstars have been using the term wrestlers and wrestling in recent weeks. It seems like the WWE Boss may be showing signs of softening up on his rules and that's a good sign.
#4. Elias and Lacey Evans have turned babyface
Elias returned to WWE TV this week on SmackDown in a backstage segment that featured Dana Brooke and Drake Maverick.
Dave Meltzer revealed on the Wrestling Observer Radio that the Drifter will be a babyface going forward. It's interesting to note that he turned face without having a big and definite segment to cement his turn.
Meltzer also revealed that Lacey Evans also turned babyface without a proper segment to signify the change.
Evans confronted Bayley and Sasha Banks on SmackDown and took out Sasha Banks with the Women's Right.
Both the babyface turns happened without any build and that was noted to be a surprising change in the way WWE has been booking the turns.
#5. Latest on the Mauro Ranallo situation
I hope you need no introduction to the situation between Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves.
Graves has already apologized for his offensive tweet but Ranallo is still not back on NXT TV.
As we had reported earlier, Ranallo was in rough shape last week and he needed some more time to mentally recover from the entire ordeal.
Dave Meltzer provided a new update on the Wrestling Observer Radio and stated that the NXT commentator is doing better, however, there is still no news on when he would get back to work.
It was added that the company is in constant touch with Ranallo and he should be back on Wednesday nights as soon is ready to make his comeback.
#6. Where is Dio Maddin?
Dio Maddin has not been seen on WWE TV ever since being laid out by a Brock Lesnar F5 on the November 4th episode of RAW.
It was reported earlier that the former NXT Superstar was selling the attack but that shouldn't keep him out for this long.
Dave Meltzer spoke about Maddin's status on the Wrestling Observer Radio.
While Meltzer didn't hear anything about Maddin backstage, him not returning to the RAW commentary booth is not a good sign.
Meltzer added that he hasn't heard anything about Maddin leaving the company. However, he did add that the former football player hadn't 'knocked out' the WWE officials with his recent performances, thus, his departure wouldn't be surprising if it does happen.
Maddin signed with WWE in 2016 and spent three years in the developmental system without making any in-ring impact. After a short stint as a commentator on 205 Live, Maddin got the big call-up to join Vic Joseph and Jerry Lawler on RAW in September.
After being taken out Lesnar, Maddin has since been replaced by Samoa Joe on the Red Brand.
#7. WWE's latest experiment
Bray Wyatt unveiled a new customized Universal title belt for his Fiend character on the recent episode of SmackDown.
Replicas of the belt were also put up for sale on WWE's online store for a mind-boggling $6,499. The steep price tag has come under major criticism but there could be a reason behind WWE's decision.
As revealed by Dave Meltzer on the Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE wouldn't have priced the belt so high of they weren't sure that there was an audience that would be willing to shell out the money. Bray Wyatt is now the company's top merch seller and that could have played a role in setting the outrageously high asking price.
It was added that this could be WWE's experiment to see if the merchandise sells that such a price range. If it works, WWE could continue to push products of similar nature and if it doesn't, they would 'learn their lesson'.
#8. Enzo Amore's startling revelations
Enzo Amore was a guest on Chris Jericho's Talk is Jericho podcast and the former WWE Superstar spilled the beans on his controversial stint with the WWE.
Amore spoke about the incident were he 'invaded' Survivor Series in 2018. He revealed that the company actually wanted him to return a month before he showed up the WWE PPV and created a ruckus. Amore, however, admitted that he had no intention of returning to WWE.
"So, they had called me a week before, bro … somebody called me from WWE, and it might have been Vince. It was the office’s number plus one. So that’s the first number outside the generic office’s number, I don’t know who it is. Maybe they’re calling me to tell me, ‘Hey, we’ve got some copyright issues’ or something. Or maybe they’re calling me to bring me back or something. But I had a few people in the office contact me about a month prior about coming back. Would I interested, or where my head [was] at. [I was] like, ‘Hell no, I’m in a different headspace, I’m not trying to come back."
Amore even revealed that after his release, the company sent out a memo the very next day in which the talents were told not to talk or do business with him.
“The next day, a company-wide memo went out to anybody who was in the office to tell them not to talk to me. To not do business with me. And the next day, my picture was pasted all over the Staples Center, and told not to let me into the arena.” H/t Credit: 411Mania
When it comes to shoot-styled interviews, Enzo Amore is a gift that keeps on giving!
