WWE Rumor Roundup: What happened after Big E’s horrific neck injury on SmackDown? Original WrestleMania plans for 11-time champion
We are back with another edition of WWE Rumor Roundup. Today's compilation includes backstage updates on Big E after the former world champion sustained a serious neck injury on SmackDown last night.
Additionally, we came across a couple of backstage plans that influenced recent decisions, including a major title change.
Here we'll look at some of the biggest WWE rumors that have ruled the headlines over the last 24 hours. Without any further ado, let's begin.
#1. Ridge Holland reportedly visited Big E in the hospital after WWE SmackDown
🏽Prayers up for Big E mane! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #SmackDown https://t.co/KsEwOxQJCc
The latest episode of WWE SmackDown produced a horrifying botch involving Ridge Holland and Big E.
During a tag match, Holland delivered a belly-to-belly suplex on Big E at ringside, but The Powerhouse of Positivity landed badly. He was rushed out of the arena on a stretcher, and it was soon confirmed that he'd sustained a broken neck.
Big E was taken to the hospital and confirmed the details of his injury after the show went off the air. The latest reports suggest that Holland and multiple other WWE Superstars visited E in the hospital after SmackDown.
The former world champion also confirmed that he won't have to undergo surgery, but is expected to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation period to fully recover from the serious injury.
Several top superstars broke kayfabe on social media to address the incident and sent their best wishes to Big E for his speedy recovery.
#2. WWE's original plans for Big E at WrestleMania 38
Backstage reports have indicated that prior to Big E's unfortunate injury, WWE was planning a massive tag match involving him at WrestleMania 38.
The latest episode of SmackDown saw Pete Dunne join the main roster under a new name, Butch. The popular NXT graduate joined Sheamus and Ridge Holland in the formation of a new faction that looks very promising on paper.
Reports from Fightful Select suggest that there were plans to book Sheamus, Butch, and Holland in a six-man tag match against The New Day. However, that idea will now be on hold as two out of three New Day members are currently out with injuries.
As of this writing, there is no concrete update on the potential time frame of Big E's return. Likewise, the plans for Butch and his new faction are up in the air.
#3. Backstage reason behind latest title change
Turned @HEELZiggler inside out!
#WWENXT @bronbreakkerwwe https://t.co/kdAe1yI0ys
Dolph Ziggler recently dethroned Bron Breakker as the NXT Champion. The title change surprised viewers, but it appears that the creative team has a solid plan in the works.
According to Dave Meltzer, Ziggler's title reign will be short, and it has been booked with hopes of setting up a huge title rematch that would see Breakker reclaim his gold at a big show. Additional reports suggest that the title loss will facilitate Breakker's permanent move to the main roster.
Many have dubbed the 2nd generation wrestler the next big thing in WWE, including Hall of Famer Booker T. Despite being young in the business, Breakker has already competed on Raw, teaming with frenemy Tommaso Ciampa to take on Ziggler and Robert Rhoode.
It is worth noting that this is the first time that Ziggler has won the NXT Championship in WWE. Apart from Breakker, the newly-crowned champion will also have to keep an eye on Ciampa, who is adamant about keeping his spot in the title picture.