WWE News & Rumor Roundup: Adam Pearce set to make massive change to RAW, 8-time champion to be offered a new deal amidst contract expiration (20th September)
The world of WWE is heating up right now as we're only two weeks away from Bad Blood 2024. Welcome to today's edition of the WWE News & Rumor Roundup - where we give you some insights into some of the hottest news and rumors happening in the sports entertainment juggernaut.
This edition includes Adam Pearce's major change for Monday Night RAW, backstage interest in re-signing a top-tier superstar as his contract comes to an end in a few months, a lighthearted Nikki Bella/Garcia story, a grand slam Champion's delayed return, and an old bizarre rule that Vince McMahon had.
Let's begin:
#5. Adam Pearce to make a huge change to RAW?
Adam Pearce arguably has one of the toughest jobs in WWE. While he's been an exclusive RAW General Manager for a little while now, he has been the company's primary authority figure on TV over the last few years including the COVID-19 pandemic era.
The RAW General Manager has been very stressed with all the brawls that he has had to put up with and all the fines and suspensions that he's handed out. In his mind, it's now time to make a change and he asked his followers on social media a crucial question.
Adam Pearce posted the results from three different polls where he asked fans if he should stop the fight or let them fight - referencing Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed but likely implying other brawls. The results were clear to Pearce and it looks like he's set to make a massive change to his style of management on RAW.
The implications it's going to have for the Braun Strowman-Bronson Reed feud will be interesting to see. Both contests have ended indecisively with both superstars crashing hard - regardless if they were on the giving or receiving end of it.
#4. WWE is interested in re-signing Kevin Owens
It feels like WWE only recently re-signed Kevin Owens to a lucrative three-year multi-million dollar contract. Surprisingly, that happened in late 2021 when his deal was set to expire in a month. When he spoke to Peter Rosenberg with two remaining years on his contract, he said that he doesn't see why he wouldn't sign another deal once it's done.
Fightful Select reported that some major names signed new deals with the company, but conversations are happening with eight-time champion Kevin Owens, whose contract is set to expire at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.
Some of the big names that signed new deals include Seth Rollins, Damian Priest, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, and Cedric Alexander among others.
AEW is reportedly eyeing to scoop up Kevin Owens if he decides to leave WWE. With two WrestleMania main events in his tenure, Owens is certainly accomplished, but it still feels like he has a lot left to do.
#3. Asuka says she's going to be out for a while longer
Asuka is no exception to the rule that all wrestlers suffer major injuries throughout their career - with the bigger ones often being a build-up of smaller injuries over time. The Grand Slam Champion hasn't been on WWE television for a few months now as she had to undergo surgery for her knee.
A fan told Asuka on social media that she was needed back in the ring as soon as possible. The first-ever Women's Royal Rumble winner revealed that she is in the middle of her treatment for her knee and can't get in the ring - so she simply focuses on entertaining people on Twitter.
It's definitely going to be a big blow for the women's division, but it will give Asuka time to rest up. She has often been the cornerstone of every company she has wrestled for and during her nine-year tenure with the sports entertainment juggernaut, she has been a key part of NXT, RAW, and SmackDown - finding success everywhere she has gone.
Fans will be hoping for her return, but it looks like 2024 could be a stretch.
#2. Ex-WWE star sends a heartfelt message to Nikki Bella before admitting he'll DM her on Instagram
It's been a tough time for Nikki Garcia (fka Nikki Bella) - who was in the public spotlight for the wrong reasons. Her partner Artem Chigvintsev, also the father of her child, was arrested on domestic violence charges.
As there has been heavy coverage of the event, it was also revealed by TMZ that Nikki Garcia has started the divorce proceedings. On Sportskeeda Wrestling's The Wrestling Outlaws, former WWE Superstar, and ex-NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion EC3 sent a heartfelt message to Nikki Garcia while joking that he's going to get ignored on her Instagram DMs (Direct Message):
"It's trying times. You know I wouldn't take this time to worry about myself. My only concern is you Nikki, that you see yourself through this, that you stay strong for you, your child, the Bella family, and anybody out there lost and looking for love. So take this time, heal, and if you need anything, I will be on Instagram DMing you to no response," former WWE star said.
We certainly wish Nikki Garcia and her son Matteo the best during these trying times.
#1. Vince McMahon's bizarre plane rule revealed
51-year-old Jonathan Coachman was associated with WWE for a long time over multiple stints. He also had the chance to be by the side of his boss - Vince McMahon for a good chunk of it.
On the Cafe de Rene podcast, Jonathan Coachman told Renee Dupree the crazy rule that Vince McMahon had for anyone who flew with him on his private jet:
"When I flew on his plane, there were rules. And the biggest rule was: unless he slept, you're not allowed to sleep cuz he wanted that energy in the plane," he said.
Imagine being a fly on the wall for one of those private jet rides. It must have been turbulent in more than a literal sense.