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!
How Lars Sullivan got back, potential new controversy
Lars Sullivan, who returned to SmackDown on last Friday's episode, returned much later than expected. The original return date was June of this year but had to be pushed back as he needed to have both knees fixed after only injuring one knee. A big feud with Brock Lesnar was planned for his return, which is no longer possible now that Lesnar is not signed to WWE. Sullivan is now part of the draft pool for RAW.
Meanwhile, another controversy is popping up for Sullivan, as it was revealed on Reddit that he had been sending inappropriate messages to a yoga instructor he had hired. This follows previous controversies, including racist and homophobic comments he had made on a bodybuilding forum, for which he was fined and sent to sensitivity training, and an adult video that apparently features him or someone who appears to be him. (Source: Fightful Select, PWMania)
We say: This is going to be a very interesting week for Lars, as the latest controversy may or may not be the final straw for his controversy-riddled WWE career. Of course, he could very well remain safe as people like Velveteen Dream and Jerry Lawler are still on the payroll. We'll see.
Performance Center trainees dealing with COVID-19 truthers
NXT trainees at the Performance Center/Capitol Wrestling Center are apparently frustrated, dealing with COVID-19 truthers. These are people who are actively not taking the virus seriously, refusing to follow safety and health protocols. This has resulted in some discomfort in training at the center. WWE had previously informed the trainees that they are free to not come in and train if they weren't comfortable to risk themselves, but nobody has apparently taken up that offer so far. (Source: Fightful Select)
We say: This may explain the outbreak both in NXT and maybe in AEW as well. We'll chalk it up to dumb Americans being dumb, but the company also has to come down hard on these people if they haven't already.
Let us know what you think of today's news in the comments!
Photo from WWE
: Lars Sullivan's Return and Possible Controversy, Performance Center COVID-19 Truthers){kind=link}