Welcome to the Grapevine! This section of Smark Henry is where we round up all the important founded and unfounded rumors floating around the pro wrestling scene that you may have missed over the past few days. Remember to take everything with a grain of salt!
Notes on Day 1 main event
Big E was originally scheduled to retain the WWE Championship at Day 1. The plans were changed apparently at the last minute once Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar was called off due to Reigns testing positive for COVID-19. Rumors are stating that Bobby Lashley is the next challenger to Lesnar for the WWE Championship, and that the plan for Reigns vs. Lesnar at WrestleMania 38 is reportedly still on. (Source: Bryan Alvarez, Dave Meltzer)
We say: It's probably not a huge stretch to believe that Big E was really going to retain his title, and it's probably also an easy guess that Bobby Lashley will be the next money match based on what happened in the match. This does leave Big E lost in the shuffle after what seemed to be a sure thing, and if he's not going to play around the WWE Championship scene, they might as well ship him back to SmackDown, reunite with the New Day, and mess with Roman Reigns, who doesn't have an obvious challenger right now as Drew McIntyre is also legitimately injured.
Drew McIntyre injury update
Drew McIntyre was written off TV with an attack by Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss at Day 1 as he has "nagging" neck issues. The reported plan for him for the near future was supposed to be feuding with Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. With both men out at the moment, there is no word yet on what will take place on SmackDown in the coming episodes. (Source: PWInsider)
We say: SmackDown is hurting really bad right now with so many people out of commission, including Toni Storm leaving the company. We bet they never thought they would need a deep roster when they made all those releases last year, but this is exactly why you don't rely on a skeleton crew in this sport.
Toni Storm update
Toni Storm reportedly felt burned out by her time on SmackDown, which led to her release. Her last match, a live event in Washington D.C., was apparently not scheduled ahead of time and she was flown out at the last minute. She also reportedly felt frustrated sitting out shows after she was called up to the main roster. (Source: WON)
We say: Toni Storm deserves better, and her treatment is yet more proof that it's a lot better to be on NXT more often than not. We support her decision as long as it eventually forces WWE management to make some sort of change backstage.
Photo from WWE
