Backstage Update On WWE's Plans For Edge, Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch & More
Latest details on huge WWE changes to Royal Rumble 2023, Raw XXX, and more.
Fightful Select, in collaboration with WrestlingNews.co, has uncovered details of several WWE creative changes over the past few months, featuring top stars like Becky Lynch, Edge, and Ronda Rousey.
Ronda Rousey vs. Raquel Rodriguez, Edge vs. Finn Balor, and Becky Lynch vs. Bayley stand as recent WWE matches that have been impacted by plans changing over the past couple of months. The outlets have notes on each.
Edge vs. Finn Balor
Royal Rumble 2023 (28 January) was originally set to feature a bout between the warring duo, though this couldn't happen due to Edge's acting commitments. Tentatively, WWE had made plans for Balor, as his 'Demon' character, facing Edge in a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania 39 (1 and 2 April). Whether or not this will happen is unclear, however: Fightful notes that some within WWE felt the feud needed the buzz brought by the 'Demon' gimmick, though they questioned how it would fit as a heel opposite Edge.
Becky Lynch vs. Bayley
A steel cage match was originally set for Raw Is XXX in January. The bout ended up happening in February after time constraints impacted the aforementioned show, leading to Becky Lynch vs. Bayley getting trimmed. People in WWE have called this a "blessing in disguise", believing that the extra time added to the feud. Bayley's Damage CTRL allies, IYO SKY and Dakota Kai, defend the Women's Tag Team Titles against Lynch and Lita on tomorrow's Raw.
Raquel Rodriguez vs. Ronda Rousey
Rousey successfully defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Rodriguez in December, serving as an appetiser for Charlotte Flair's return - and victory over Ronda to take the strap. Originally, Ronda vs. Raquel was booked for the Rumble. WWE opted to bring it forward a month, drawing a positive reception inside and outside the company, with Flair not told of WWE's plans until the night she took the gold. Now, Rousey is believed to prefer working alongside Shayna Baszler in a tag team, rather than as a singles wrestler.