MAJOR WWE Backstage Shakeups - SummerSlam Main Event Change, Wrestler Going Part-time, More
What's going on with John Laurinaitis? Who else wants a reduced schedule? Actual SummerSlam plan?
Friday's edition of SmackDown saw substantially more drama taking place behind the scenes than on air.
Amidst all the scandal engulfing WWE and Vince McMahon specifically, a series of potential changes and shake-ups backstage were later reported from various sources.
Per Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, John Laurinaitis wasn't scheduled for the show nor there, though he could be present for tonight's Monday Night Raw. Meanwhile, Fightful Select were reporting that the original plan for SummerSlam 2022 had indeed been Roman Reigns Vs Randy Orton before 'The Apex Predator' found himself shelved until early 2023. Fightful's report continued, noting that 'The Beast' wasn't listed on any internal documentation handed out at SmackDown, nor was news of his involvement apparent until hours before the show.
Finally, Sheamus may have quietly confirmed that he too will be next to changed his schedule. Speaking to The Five Count radio show, 'The Celtic Warrior' said;
“I think it’d keep it fresh, it’d be great to do acting a couple of months and then back in the ring a couple of months...adds to the longevity as well...I love being in front of the camera whether it’s promos, backstage, or in the ring wrestling, or movies, or TV shows, whatever it is, it’s a fun job.”
A fun one, but rarely a straightforward one, it'd seem.