WWE News and Rumor Roundup - Former Universal Champion has partial paralysis, Triple H not bringing back controversial star, Update on Brock Lesnar
We're back with another edition of WWE News and Rumor Roundup. Wrestlers put their bodies at risk for the love of the game. A former Universal Champion continues to work through a medical condition and isn't letting it derail his career.
Meanwhile, Triple H has no plans to bring back a controversial name to the Stamford-based promotion. We have learned another update on Brock Lesnar's future.
Stone Cold Steve Austin, who recently underwent surgery, appears to be holding up fine. We have an update on The Texas Rattlesnake as well.
Last but not least, Big E has been given a new role in WWE as RAW moves to Netflix in January 2025. Continue reading as we dive into the top news and rumors of the day:
#5. Braun Strowman shares an update on his condition
Last year, Braun Strowman disclosed that his left leg is 15% paralyzed, and he has to live with it his entire career. Despite that, The Monster of All Monsters has no plans of slowing down.
Last night, he took to his official Instagram handle and shared a photo of himself working out at the gym, flexing his quads.
The 41-year-old SmackDown Superstar said he has been feeling "very happy" with his progress considering his left leg is partially paralyzed.
"Christmas #Quads been working hard on these puppies. Very happy considering my left leg is 15% paralyzed!!!! #Gainz #ChristmasWorkout #workout #training #legs #bodybuilding," he wrote.
Check out his Instagram post below:
Braun Strowman recently joined the SmackDown roster upon his return after a brief hiatus. He targeted Carmelo Hayes and defeated him in 30 seconds. However, the former NXT Champion evened the odds when he pulled one back the following week.
It will be interesting to see what Nick Aldis has in store for both men heading into 2025.
#4. Will Alberto Del Rio return to WWE anytime soon?
Alberto Del Rio remains one of the most controversial names in the business. He made headlines for all the wrong reasons and even had a brush with the law several years ago, deterring his wrestling career.
The Mexican wrestler parted ways with the Stamford-based promotion in 2016 and has since been experiencing a career resurgence on the independent circuit.
While it's never say never in the wrestling business, it looks like WWE has completely shut the door on Alberto Del Rio's potential return.
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the Triple H-led creative team has no desire to bring Alberto Del Rio back anytime soon.
"No. In fact, there's a bit between a few people in the company whenever he implies he's going back, to give me a progressively more colorful denial," he said.
However, Del Rio wants to have one last run in the Stamford-based promotion before riding off into the sunset.
#3. Huge update on Brock Lesnar's WWE status
Brock Lesnar hasn't been a part of the WWE's creative plans after he was seemingly alluded to in the Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon.
It was reported a while back that the WWE legal team had advised the management against doing business with The Beast Incarnate.
With the Road to WrestleMania 41 right around the corner, fans have been wondering whether the former Universal Champion will return to the company.
Dr. Chris Featherstone of Sportskeeda Wrestling learned that there's no internal discussion about bringing Brock Lesnar back anytime soon.
"I have been informed that there's been no internal conversations regarding Brock Lesnar coming back to WWE, and the belief is that he will not be returning any time in the foreseeable future," he reported on X.
Brock Lesnar last laced up his boots against Cody Rhodes in a memorable match at SummerSlam.
#2. Is Stone Cold Steve Austin preparing for a WWE in-ring return?
Stone Cold Steve Austin hasn't been seen in any wrestling capacity since he defeated Kevin Owens in the main event of WrestleMania 38 Night One.
He was rumored to be a part of the Bloodline Rules match between then-Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL Night Two.
However, Austin's prior commitments prevented him from making a cameo at The Show of Shows this year. He was replaced by another retired legend, The Undertaker, who took out The Rock.
A few days ago, Diamond Dallas Page took to his X account to reveal that Steve Austin joined DDP Yoga and has benefitted greatly, as The Texas Rattlesnake got in the best shape of his life.
Whether this will lead to Steve Austin coming out of retirement at WrestleMania 41 remains to be seen.
#1. Big E has a new role in WWE
Big E may not be medically cleared to return to in-ring action, but he continues to be a part of WWE programming in different capacities.
Just days before the premiere episode of RAW on Netflix, WWE announced several projects that will be available on the streaming giant. Chief among them is "RAW Classics," which will be hosted by Big E.
This all but confirms that he won't be returning to in-ring competition anytime soon. During The New Day's 10th anniversary celebration on RAW earlier this month, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turned heel on Big E and kicked him out of the group for abandoning them.
Whether or not Big E returns in a wrestling capacity, the creative team did an excellent job planting the seeds for a future match between the former stablemates.