WWE News & Rumor Roundup: Former US Champion ready to return after 4-year absence, Shocking new gimmick for female star, Fake Vince McMahon report
As WWE approaches Bad Blood, there continues to be a lot of chatter in and around the company. A former champion and popular figure among fans recently revealed his desire to make a comeback and win the world title someday.
Shotzi Blackheart could potentially show up with a brand new persona when she returns from her injury hiatus, which began in February earlier this year.
Today's roundup ends with a much-needed clarification regarding a major rumor doing the rounds about Vince McMahon following the release of his Netflix docuseries. So without further ado, let's start:
#3. Matt Cardona has lofty ambitions regarding a WWE comeback
Known as Zack Ryder during his relatively lengthy WWE run, former United States Champion Matt Cardona has revitalized his career in the indies.
Cardona was released from the WWE in 2020, and what began as a goal to conquer the wrestling landscape made him The Indy God. The 39-year-old recently returned from an injury and has realized that his next step has to be massive.
While speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Intercontinental Champion revealed that he wanted to win the WWE World Title.
"I never got the big one. I never won the WWE World Title. That has to be the goal. Because if that's not the goal, what are we doing? What am I doing here? What am I working towards? I might never achieve that goal, but I'm gonna die trying," he said.
As noted above, Matt Cardona has become a name to be reckoned with due to his work on the independents. Matt loves the setup outside WWE but doesn't deny he wants another shot in the Sports Entertainment juggernaut.
"It's not just like, 'I want to be back there.' Everyone wants to be back there. But I know if I was back, I'd make a f***ing difference!" he added. [H/T: Colin Tessier]
Matt Cardona's wife, Chelsea Green, has been on a roll lately, and the couple eventually being in the same company is a likely possibility.
#2. New gimmick in the works for Shotzi?
Injuries are a wrestler's worst nightmare, and sadly for Shotzi, the superstar has been sidelined with a torn ACL injury since February. She has one of the most unique looks in pro wrestling and has been viewed by some as a star who could be a top name in the women's division.
Shotzi might also be cooking up a new gimmick as she recovers from a serious knee injury. Former WWE star Mideon recently revealed on the Six Feet Under podcast that he was asked by certain talents to help them with their characters.
Mideon claimed he'd thought of a gimmick inspired by the Christian Bale-starrer American Psycho, released in 2000.
"I was asked by a couple of people to 'help them out' on their returns, ideas for stories. So I really kind of got this 'American Psycho' thing working for Shotzi, who I love. I see her as a roller derby Did she not fit the roller derby thing? Although I've kind of went [sic] in an 'American Psycho' thing," he said. [H/T: Fightful]
Mideon went into detail about how Shotzi's potential new character could be introduced to the audience. It will be interesting to see if WWE ends up using the proposed ideas.
#1. Update on the Vince McMahon-Kevin Dunn rumor
Ever since the Netflix documentary chronicling the rise and fall of Vince McMahon came out, stories of the former boss have been aplenty in the dirt sheets.
Recently, an X (Twitter) handle reported via an unknown and unverified source that Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn were working on a response to Netflix. There is, however, no truth to the rumor.
PWInsider issued an update, stating that McMahon and Dunn producing a counter to the streaming giant was not happening. The story was labeled "absolutely incorrect," with sources close to Kevin Dunn adding that he was not involved in any Vince McMahon-related projects.