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Zelina Vega's WWE release has stunned every pro wrestling fan, and the news has opened a can of worms about the company's stance on the controversial third-party issue.
We have several details about what led to Zelina Vega's release, the backstage reaction in different companies across the United States, and what's next for the former WWE Superstar.
An update about Aleister Black's request being denied by WWE has also been covered in today's edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup.
WWE and the fans are getting ready for The Undertaker's Final Farewell at Survivor Series, and there is a lot to talk about it heading into the PPV. What will Undertaker's role be after he officially retires at Survivor Series? We now do have an idea of what to expect from The Deadman.
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Elsewhere, Kane also provided a big update on his in-ring future and possible farewell.
Finally, we end the latest edition of the WWE Rumor Roundup with a heartbreaking story of a Superstar's injury. The timing of it all couldn't have been any worse.
#5 All you need to know about Zelina Vega's WWE release - Why did it happen? What's next? Backstage reaction and more
Zelina Vega was released hours before SmackDown aired, and it came as a shocker to the fans and several wrestlers in the business.
As confirmed by various outlets such as PWInsider and The Wrestling Observer, Zelina Vega was released from WWE as she stood up against the company's Twitch edict.
Zelina Vega had no intention to give up ownership of her Twitch account, and she was vocal against WWE's decisions.
Dave Meltzer also revealed another reason that might have contributed to the release. While her support for unionization was the prime reason, Zelina Vega started an Only Fans account, and it played a role in WWE's call to let her go.
Zelina Vega put out a tweet minutes before her release in which she voiced her support for a wrestlers' union. It should be noted that Vega was told about her release before the tweet was out, and as revealed by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com, the Superstar was also backstage at this week's SmackDown.
PWInsider adds that Zelina Vega has a traditional 90-day non-compete clause. The former WWE Superstar would be eligible to perform for any other company in February 2021.
Fightful Select also revealed more details regarding the backstage reactions to the WWE release. People are unsurprisingly shocked by the development, and one person from SmackDown even said that Zelina Vega was always expected to stand firm against WWE's latest edict.
People in AEW are also quite surprised, and several people in the promotion feel that officials in the WWE have lost their minds as they have no clue what they had with Zelina Vega.
An IMPACT Wrestling wrestler said that they would actively push to get Zelina Vega back in the company, and it would also help in the Knockouts Tag Team division's rebirth.
Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang sent a warning to Vince McMahon following the release. SAG-AFTRA Labor Union's President, Gabrielle Carteris, also reached out to Zelina Vega on Twitter.
Zelina Vega posted the following statement on Twitter after her release:
"I want to say thank you all very much for the last 3-4 years @WWEUniverse , it was incredible. I would have never have been able to say "this is for you dad" if certain people did not believe in me. I love you all and I couldn't have done it without your support"
Vega also went live on Twitch shortly after her WWE departure, and the Superstar emotionally thanked the fans for all the support on the worst day of her life.
#4 Aleister Black's request reportedly denied by WWE
Zelina Vega's WWE release has naturally brought up questions about Aleister Black's status in the company.
The fans were quick to speculate that Black would also follow his wife out of the WWE, but we haven't received any official update on what's next for the former NXT Champion.
WrestleVotes, however, provided an interesting update on Aleister Black's relationship with the company.
While it might not be directly related to Zelina Vega's release, Aleister Black recently requested WWE to be sent back to NXT. The company denied his request, and there is dissension amongst both parties.
WrestleVotes noted the following:
There's a bit more behind the scenes to the Zelina Vega release. Frustration from both sides is an understatement. While it can't be directly tied to today's news, Aleister Black recently requested to move back to NXT and was denied. Dissension amongst the parties involved.
Aleister Black is yet to break his silence on his wife's release, and we might not hear from him on the matter for a long time. Black is currently on SmackDown without any storyline direction, and we should know more about his WWE future soon enough.
#3 One more match for The Undertaker? New possible WWE role and more
The Undertaker will officially call it quits on an iconic career at WWE Survivor Series. The PPV is expected to be a star-studded affair with many big-name WWE returns scheduled to happen.
However, what's next for The Undertaker? Could The Deadman have another match before retiring for good?
During a recent 1-on-1 interview with Ryan Satin, Kane revealed a couple of matches that The Undertaker could still have despite the retirement. Kane noted it's tough to walk away from the WWE fully, and the Big Red Machine said that a dream match between Undertaker and Sting is still the showdown to book in the WWE. Kane would also like to have a match with his storyline brother.
"Oh, I don't know, man. Maybe me (laughs) at some point, you know! One more with Kane and The Undertaker or The Brothers of Destruction. And then, of course, I think the dream match everybody has is The Undertaker vs. Sting. We'll see if that ever eventuates, but certainly there are some, still some very compelling matches that The Undertaker could be involved, and he's probably going to be very angry at me because, you know, because now I'm booking him in matches. I should probably shut up about it at this point.
During a recent interview with The Wrap, The Undertaker said that while he considers himself 'officially retired,' anything can happen as he works for a man named Vince McMahon.
"I'm going with it, but I work for a man by the name of Vince McMahon, whose motto is 'Never say never.' And I'll kind of leave that there. In my eyes, yeah, I am officially retired."
During the same interview, The Undertaker also spoke about how he is in talks with Triple H about possibly becoming a WWE coach at the Performance Center.
The Undertaker likes the sound of training the up-and-coming WWE talent, and it would be an apt role for the Deadman if it does come to fruition.
"You know, that's the pickle that I'm in right now, is trying to [figure] out what lane I want to take. I've been on the road for so long, that really doesn't appeal to me, traveling and doing all that. I love to teach. Triple H and I have had many conversations about me working with the talent there at NXT, in Orlando at the PC. And I really enjoy that. And we're just trying to figure out how it works because I'd have to come in and go out. I live in Texas. So I'm sure I will do more of that moving forward. I think there's a lot of– I think I have a lot to offer. The product is changing and evolving, but I think there's a lot of what I bring to the table that is still applicable to the product, and these guys need to hear it and see it from somebody who has made it work. So we'll see what happens there."
What do you guys think? Does Undertaker still have one more match in him, possibly at WWE WrestleMania 37?
#2 Kane's in-ring future and possible WWE farewell
Kane will be at Survivor Series for The Undertaker's Final Farewell, and the Big Red Machine sat down with Ryan Satin for a WWE on Fox interview.
Kane wrestled his last match at Crown Jewel 2018, and he is currently busy being the Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.
When asked about whether we could see him back in the ring, the 53-year-old WWE Legend said anything is possible as wrestling is all about the 'never say never' adage. Kane is satisfied with not wrestling as he understands his body won't keep up with the current style.
However, Kane said that if an opportunity comes regarding a farewell or another match, he would consider it and assess his options.
"Well, maybe. I don't know, it just depends. Like I said, you never say never in WWE. But at the same point in time, I have gotten to the point in my life where I'm comfortable not being in the wrestling ring. It's hard work. I've also gotten to the age where I go a lot of times like, 'Man, that looks like it hurts.' I used to be, 'Man, I wish I could be out there doing that,' now I'm kind of like, 'Oh god.' Those guys are a lot tougher than I am now. But nevertheless, if the opportunity arises. You know, we'll see."
As noted earlier via PWInsider, Kane will be at Survivor Series, and WWE would indeed have a special Brothers of Destruction moment lined up for the fans.
#1 Chelsea Green injury update following WWE SmackDown debut
Chelsea Green's debut on WWE SmackDown came out of nowhere, and it was a much-needed surprise that made the show and the Survivor Series Qualifying match a lot more interesting.
However, Chelsea Green spent a majority of the match outside the ring, and the odd booking made no sense. However, it all made sense after the show went off the air.
A Fightful Select report first revealed that Chelsea Green suffered an injury during the match. Green was originally scheduled to win, but a call was made on the fly, and the outcome was changed, leading to Liv Morgan picking up the victory.
WWE and Chelsea Green herself later confirmed that she broke her left wrist during the match.
WWE released the following injury update after the show:
During Friday's Fatal 4-Way Match for the opportunity to qualify for the SmackDown Women's Survivor Series team, Chelsea Green suffered a broken left wrist. Chelsea was taken to a local medical facility for further evaluation.
The former WWE NXT Superstar had the following to note on Twitter:
Just like the rest of my career, I couldn't have an easy debut! LOL, that just wouldn't be fit for my wild journey. I'm headed into surgery now. I am beyond devastated but so excited to be a part of @WWE team SmackDown, when I get back!
Chelsea Green has had a few unfortunate injury setbacks over the past year. We at Sportskeeda wish the Superstar a speedy recovery and hope she gets a fair share of the spotlight when she is cleared to return.
