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In today's roundup, we take a look at Matt Hardy's stunning pitch involving The Undertaker that got rejected, Randy Orton's message to Mark Henry amid his feud with Edge, and the WWE Legend who could be retiring at WrestleMania 36.
Before we get to all that, we also have some backstage news regarding a shocking idea for CM Punk that was used for another Superstar at Elimination Chamber this year. Let's get past the headline-makers first:
10-time champion questions the McMahons
Matt Hardy has revealed to PW Insider’s Mike Johnson that his idea of interrupting the McMahons and questioning their promises to fans was rejected. He claimed that he wanted to be a part of that segment and get involved while the McMahons were in the ring, promising the fans that they would be listening.
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“They were going to say like, ‘What do you want? Do you want your release? Do you want to get fired? Whatever?’ No, I want to stay [on] the show because I feel like you guys are going back on your word with what you're telling the people. You're not listening to them.”
Former Intercontinental Champion's return confirmed
Just as Matt Hardy left the WWE, Jeff Hardy was cleared for an in-ring return. The former Intercontinental Champion's return was confirmed on Monday Night RAW, and he is now scheduled to appear on SmackDown this Friday.
It is not clear who he will be facing, but he has set his sights on Roman Reigns. Hardy wants to be involved in a feud with him at WrestleMania, but that will only be possible next year.
"Oh, gosh, more than anything, I would probably have to say, I feel like that there's a huge moment between me and Roman Reigns. So, yeah, I can kind of see that happening. I think there's one thing, just to be involved in something cool and important at WrestleMania in the next few years, if I can fight back into that zone, I think that's my biggest goal."
Reigns will be going up against Goldberg this year for the WWE Universal Title.
Plan for CM Punk used at Elimination Chamber
Paul Heyman is a genius and he knows how to build a monster in WWE. He had a crazy idea for CM Punk which was rejected years ago by Vince McMahon but managed to use it at this year's Elimination Chamber.
WrestlingNews report that Heyman's idea of making Shayna Baszler look unbeatable was originally pitched for Punk. Baszler eliminated all the other participants in the Elimination Chamber match without breaking a sweat.
The feeling going into the pay-per-view was that everyone watching at home already knew that Baszler was going to win and challenge Lynch at WrestleMania and it was better to just have her go through everyone to put her over as a monster heel. Heyman is very high on Baszler even though McMahon has had his doubts about her.
Heyman wanted to do this many years ago with CM Punk but the idea was shot down by Vince McMahon. It looks like Heyman got his way this time.
Baszler is now set to face Becky Lynch at WrestleMania for the RAW Women's Championship.
John Cena to retire at WrestleMania 36?
John Cena came to say goodbye to the WWE Universe on SmackDown's last episode in February but just as he was set to leave, The Fiend Bray Wyatt challenged him to a match at WrestleMania.
The leader of Cenation quickly accepted the challenge and the match has now officially been confirmed for the Show of Shows in April. Mick Foley, speaking on Wrestling Inc Daily, stated that this could be Cena's farewell match in WWE.
"It's gonna be very interesting and I think it adds another huge match as John Cena gave an impassioned promo and it leads me to believe this will be his final match. I would not be surprised to see The Fiend come out of Mania stronger than ever."
Cena's last match in WWE took place way back in January 2019 while his last appearance at a pay-per-view was at WrestleMania 35. He was touted to face Elias this year but it looks like he will be putting Wyatt over before leaving.
Randy Orton's message to Mark Henry
Randy Orton turned heel on Monday Night RAW after the Royal Rumble by attacking Edge. The Viper has been getting excellent reviews about his role in WWE and his promo with Beth Phoenix last week was appreciated by everyone around the world.
Mark Henry also spoke about it on Busted Open Radio and gave positive reviews. On hearing this, Orton texted the Hall of Famer and thanked him for his kind words.
"I’m gonna read something right now, I get a text yesterday, ‘Hey, man, I watched Backstage, and I heard the kind words that you said about me. That sincerely means a lot my man.’ And that was from Randy. Randy Orton respects the fact that we honor him. That we hold him at a high regard and justifiably so, he deserves it.”
Orton is on course to clash with Edge at WrestleMania after his recent attack. He was involved in another segment with Edge last night which saw the Rated-R Superstar deliver an RKO to the Viper.
Matt Hardy's creative pitch with The Undertaker was rejected by WWE
Matt Hardy is a free agent right now and is yet to make a decision on his future. His deal with WWE expired on March 1st and reports suggest he is heading to All Elite Wrestling.
Fuel was added to the rumors after The Young Bucks appeared on the Free The Delete episode last week. The episode ended with Hardy saying “Bucks of Youth, I knew you’d come!” but that was not the original plan for the series.
Hardy, while talking to PW Insider, revealed that the original idea was for Bray Wyatt or The Undertaker to appear at The Hardy Compound and be a part of the show.
“There was an idea, it was a big idea that I gave to Vince and the WWE creative guys. I don't know if it got pulled off. But it's also a guy who is very well known for digging graves and burying souls.”
Matt believes that it would have been 'super cool' for that to have happened but WWE rejected the pitch as he was leaving the company.
