WWE rumour round-up: The REAL reason Stone Cold Steve Austin didn’t have a match at WrestleMania
It’s a week before the start of the WWE version and the company will be finalizing their future plans for talent.
The season of WrestleMania is almost behind us, but the latest Premium Live Event ‘Backlash’ is also on the horizon.
The next few weeks will chart the immediate futures for WWE stars, giving fans a rough idea of what their favorite stars will be up to in the coming year.
However, the rumors don’t stop and there’s been a lot of talk about backstage and on-screen developments in the company over the last 24 hours.
Here, Mail sports wraps up the latest rumors circulating the world of WWE.
WWE Plans Their Own Design And Latest Premium Live Event, ‘Backlash’
Why Stone Cold Steve Austin turned down a WrestleMania match
Stone Cold Steve Austin shocked the wrestling world when he returned to the ring after an almost 20-year retirement at WrestleMania 38, defeating Kevin Owens in the show’s main event.
Many thought they would never see “The Rattlesnake” wrestle again, but he put his boots on once more at his Texas home, delighting fans around the world.
It looked like there was room for the 52-year-old to perform again at this year’s shows, but a storyline never materialized and it’s unclear if Austin will struggle again last year because of his performance.
Speak against SI. comHowever, Austin explained why he didn’t fight this year.
Stone Cold Steve Austin explained why he didn’t have a match at WrestleMania 39
Austin last wrestled a year earlier at Mania 38
He said, “To do a good game I have to be in top shape. I told them, and this is the exact truth, I said, “Guys, I’m about to go into production on this show, Stone Cold Takes on America, and until we start production, I don’t know what my life is like it. I can’t commit.”
“Of course there were technical problems before we were done. I had to finish a month earlier than we did. With the schedule I was doing, driving an RV through all of God’s creation, doing everything I did, there was no way I could be ready.
“I had two 30-pound dumbbells, a 45-pound sandbag, and a 25-pound kettlebell. Working 15 hours a day and then training for 30 or 40 minutes doesn’t make you ready for WrestleMania. And I was really protected at WrestleMania 38. That wouldn’t be the case this time. That was a true statement. Until this show was over, I couldn’t commit.”
Too bad Stone Cold didn’t wrestle Mania, but enough words of encouragement that he’ll be allowed to re-enter the ring at some point.
Talent worries about statuses
According to PWInsiderthere is ‘bubbling paranoia’ from some talent about their positions in the company.
Speculation is mounting that talent is about to be delisted for the first time in a long time, highlighting the fact that some names could be on the list if and when it happens.
The main paranoia is said to come from several wrestlers Triple H bought back into the company when he took over creative control last summer and who aren’t involved in major storylines.
The likes of Tegan Nox, Karrion Kross, Hit Row, and Emma all returned to the company under Triple H’s leadership, but they’ve had slow runs since signing back with the WWE.
Key stars are missing in concept
The WWE draft kicks off in a week on the April 28th edition of SmackDown, though some key faces will be missing.
During the event, RAW and SmackDown claim their favorite members of the roster on their schedule as the brands battle for supremacy in an effort to put on the best show.
The likes of Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Bianca Belair will be at the top of the list, though it looks like some of the most popular WWE stars won’t be involved in the process.
Randy Orton is not included in the promotional image for the upcoming WWE version
Injured wrestler Bray Wyatt is also not featured due to his recent absence from the company
Eagle-eyes fans have noticed that Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton – who are both currently injured – are missing from WWE’s promotional poster for the draft.
Former champion Alexa Bliss is also not included.
It’s unclear how long it will be before any of the three stars will be back on TV, but if they’re not involved in the design, it’s fair to assume it won’t be any time soon.
Von Wagner to the main event
According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer radioWWE is eager to build Von Wagner into a star at the WrestleMania main event level.
Von Wagner is hoped to become a main event level star, but WWE officials believe he lacks charisma
Wagner currently works at NXT and recently reunited with Mr Stone in an effort to once again give the big man a mouthpiece to help him in his development.
The problem right now, however, is that officials reportedly believe he lacks charisma, meaning his character would struggle to develop if given a push on the main roster.
Wagner was once seen on SmackDown as an apparent bodyguard to official Adam Pearce, but he soon disappeared and returned to NXT, where he’s had a mixed time.
It remains to be seen if he will be called up to the main roster in the draft, but at 28 years old, he has time on his side.