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Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup, where we try and bring the biggest rumors and stories from the world of WWE to our readers. In today's edition, we will take a look at what is in store for WWE Champion Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania, among other topics.
There has been a lot of speculation on who Lashley will face at WrestleMania, and things might become clear after the upcoming Fastlane pay-per-view. We will also take a look at why Brock Lesnar could not fit in with the WWE locker room during his first stint with the company.
So without further ado, let's dive in and take a look at some of the most interesting WWE stories of the day:
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#5 Who will WWE Champion Bobby Lashley face at WrestleMania 37?
It was reported a few days ago that WWE was planning to have a Last Man Standing match at Fastlane between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. The two men fought in a hard-hitting battle on RAW this week, which ended in a no-contest.
WrestlingNews.co have now reported that the match between the friends-turned-foes at Fastlane will be the number one contenders' match to decide Lashley's WrestleMania 37 opponent. It was also revealed that it will be The Scottish Warrior Drew McIntyre who will take on The Almighty at WrestleMania this year.
"WrestlingNews.co was told that the Last Man Standing stipulation was decided on Monday morning and it will be announced that the winner of McIntyre vs. Sheamus will challenge Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 37. As of this writing, the plan is for McIntyre to challenge for the title at Mania."
Drew McIntyre lost the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber. The Miz cashed in his MITB contract soon after McIntyre was brutally assaulted by Lashley at the end of the event.
McIntyre has been occupied with his rivalry with Sheamus over the past few weeks. But it looks like he will finally get a shot to regain the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
#4 Former General Manager John Laurinaitis makes a full-time return to WWE
Former on-screen general manager John Laurinaitis has been brought back full time by WWE in the role of WWE's Head of Talent Relations. Laurinaitis served in the same role in WWE from 2004 to 2012.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has reported that Laurinaitis is now back in his old role with the company. Even though the official announcement has not yet been made, the changes have taken place and the talent has been informed of the same.
"The report further stated that the Talent Relations department is being split into Talent Management and Talent Branding. The Talent Branding department will function as an agency representing WWE Superstars."
The agency, to be headed by Laurinaitis, will look to get film roles and other appearances for WWE Superstars.
A report by PWInsider noted that Mark Carano will now be reporting directly to Laurinaitis, who in turn will be working under WWE Executive Vice President of Operations, Brad Blum.
#3 Jim Ross says Kurt Angle misguided WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar
In a recent episode of Grilling JR, former WWE announcer Jim Ross spoke about Brock Lesnar and his exit from WWE in 2004. Ross explained that Lesnar could not adjust to the lifestyle of a WWE Superstar, and that being misguided by Superstars such as Curt Henning and Kurt Angle did not help.
Jim Ross said that back in the day, misguiding younger Superstars was seen as a rib. But such ribs did not work well with Brock Lesnar as he was not in a mental place to understand them.
"Well, I would say the Minnesota contingent. Maybe Perfect (Curt Hennig), maybe Kurt (Angle). He (Angle) knew that he could get you. And to see somebody rolled up in anxiety and angst, thanks to your prodding and your subtle positioning, was a rib. And some guys fell for it. Hey, I've had guys come to me and say, you know when WrestleMania comes in and say, 'I'm not happy with my payoff.'"
The current AEW announcer went on to explain that some Superstars would lie about how much they made for a match which led to dissatisfaction among other talents.
Jim Ross also believes that some of the Superstars took advantage of Brock Lesnar's naivety and tried to make use of the 'cracks in his armor'.
#2 Booker T unhappy with WWE losing Christian to AEW
On his podcast, the six-time world champion Booker T spoke about former WWE Superstar Christian's move to AEW. The Hall of Famer was not happy that Christian has jumped ship.
Christian was revealed as AEW's newest acquisition at AEW Revolution. The former WWE World Champion is now All Elite and will likely be featured in a more regular role than he was offered in WWE.
Booker T praised Christian and said that he was a complete ring general who would always help the talent during the matches.
''He is the most underrated, professional wrestler that this business has ever produced. I’m not just saying that because he’s my friend. He’s a guy that’s definitely been well underutilized as far as his talent and his skill and his mind goes for this business. He’s a guy that, me personally, I really hate that we lost. I must say that.”
Christian made his in-ring return after a sabbatical of almost seven years this year at WWE Royal Rumble. Although many expected that he would become a regular in WWE, Captain Charisma chose to join AEW instead.
#1 Big E reveals Vince McMahon's amusing reaction to The New Day's theme song in WWE
WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E recently spoke on the Hollywood Raw podcast. The former NXT Champion talked about his time with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as The New Day. He also shared a hilarious story about WWE Chairman Vince McMahon's response upon hearing The New Day's theme song.
Big E revealed that when the trio was initially formed in WWE, they did not like the theme song that was chosen for them. So they went for a meeting with Vince McMahon and some other writers. The trio wanted the top boss to listen to what they thought would be the perfect theme for them.
Not only did Vince McMahon like the song, but he was also tapping his foot and dancing while listening to it, said Big E.
''I remember him tapping his foot, like this grimace of pleasure in a cartoonish way. I thought it was a joke and he was being funny and we were laughing, but everyone was deadly serious. He's dancing and tapping his foot and I'm biting my lower lip because it's hilarious, but no one else is laughing and I can tell it's a serious moment. I'm almost bleeding, that's how hard I'm biting my lip. ''
Big E further claimed that Vince McMahon's love for the black church and southern gospel was not something anyone would have expected of him.
