WWE Rumor Roundup: Ex-MITB winner done with the company, major return in the works, details on Brock Lesnar in Japan (6th May 2021)

Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup, where we bring you the biggest stories and rumors from the world of WWE. The biggest story in today's edition is Daniel Bryan's exit from the company.

Though it was speculated that Bryan may be joining RAW or NXT after being banished from SmackDown, it looks like The Leader of the Yes Movement is no longer a part of WWE. Additionally, we will also take a look at AEW's interest in two former WWE Superstars, a demand for Jon Moxley's return, and much more.

So without further ado, let's dive in and check out some interesting topics related to WWE:

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#5 Daniel Bryan done with WWE

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Daniel Bryan's contract with WWE ended on April 30th, 2021. Although it was believed that Bryan's contract would be valid until September, those rumors were untrue.

PWInsider (via CSS) has also noted that Daniel Bryan isn't part of WWE's current creative plans and he has been removed from the company's internal roster.

"Per PW Insider, Bryan does not factor into any of the company’s current creative plans, and within the last 72 hours he’s been officially removed from the internal roster. The site says the two sides are still talking."

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful stated that Bryan did not make a huge deal of his contract expiring backstage. In fact, most of the talent found out about his departure from WWE only through the 'grapevine' over the past few weeks.

It will be interesting to see if Daniel Bryan chooses to return to WWE or takes a long break from wrestling. During interviews in the past, he had stated that he wanted a part-time role in the company instead of being a full-time performer in the foreseeable future.

#4 WWE pushing hard to bring back Daniel Bryan

As reported previously, Daniel Bryan is no longer a member of the WWE roster. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has revealed that the company is pushing hard to get the former MITB winner to sign a new deal.

"In an update to the situation, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reports that WWE is "pushing hard" to sign Daniel Bryan to a new deal sooner rather than later."

There have been rumors suggesting that AEW is showing interest in Daniel Bryan. However, it is largely believed that Bryan will either take a sabbatical from wrestling or eventually re-sign with WWE.

AEW veteran Tony Schiavone was asked by a fan on the Blood and Guts post-show if the company wanted to sign Daniel Bryan now that he is a free agent. He responded by saying they would, but the situation is not in their control as of now.

“You know what? If we could, maybe we would," said Schiavone. "But we don’t book ’em, do we?”

Do you want Daniel Bryan to return to WWE or join AEW? Tell us in the comments section below!

#3 Details on former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle in Japan

Brock Lesnar is not just a former WWE Champion, but also a UFC Champion and IWGP Champion. In addition to his incredible run in WWE, The Beast also made a big name for himself in Japan.

Speaking of Brock Lesnar's run in Japan, Kurt Angle cleared the air about his match there against Lesnar, which took place in 2007. Lesnar invited Angle to Japan and 'did the job' for him.

"Well, Brock did approach me about working with him in Japan, and I ended up going over for NJPW, and I had a match with Brock," Angle recalled. "We had a phenomenal match over there, and I won the world title from him, NJPW, New Japan Pro Wrestling world title."

Brock Lesnar was not willing to lose to just about anyone and had specifically wanted to drop the title to Kurt Angle.

Angle even highlighted Lesnar's primary status as a businessman who immediately wanted to discuss a rematch.

#2 Demand for Jon Moxley to return to WWE

Former WWE champion Dean Ambrose, now known as Jon Moxley in AEW, has been called out by NXT Champion Karrion Kross. Speaking on 'My Mom's Basement' podcast, Kross said he wants Jon Moxley to return to WWE.

Kross and Moxley have had a storied history outside of WWE. The two men faced each other in an epic battle at a "Future Stars of Wrestling" event in 2019. Kross stated that he still has unfinished business with Moxley.

''I better not get in trouble for this, but Jon Moxley, Dean Ambrose. I have to say it; I hope he comes back one day. I think he will, I'm not, not that I would know, or nothing's been said because, you know, people go crazy with that, but I hope he comes back one day. If he does, he is going to have to go through me, and he knows that." said Kross.

In addition to facing Jon Moxley, Karrion Kross also said that Tommasso Ciampa and Finn Balor are high on his list of opponents.

#1 How Sheamus helped former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre

Former WWE Champions Drew McIntyre and Sheamus have been friends for a long time. As a guest on the Busted Open podcast, Drew McIntyre talked about the bond between himself and The Celtic Warrior. He mentioned how crucial Sheamus has been in his success story.

During one particular instance, Sheamus helped McIntyre when the latter had no place to stay after being released by WWE in 2014. McIntyre stated that Sheamus is his oldest friend in wrestling and someone he could always count on.

''He was there during all the good times and obviously all the bad times and I wouldn't have gotten through a lot of them without him being there for me," McIntyre said. "I literally lived in his house at one point. That's where we were at, at that point in my life. When I was fired and was still trying to find myself, I was living there and he was looking out for me. He's always been such a big brother for me."

Sheamus and Drew McIntyre's real-life friendship was used as part of a storyline earlier this year when The Celtic Warrior betrayed McIntyre on Monday Night RAW.

The two men even had many memorable clashes against each other on the Road to WrestleMania 37.