WWE Daily News Round-Up (August 12th, 2018)

We're days away from "The Biggest Party of the Summer", SummerSlam, and two days away from the SummerSlam go-home show of RAW.

In today's edition of the WWE Daily News Round-Up, we bring news of the betting odds for SummerSlam, Roman Reigns revealing why he won't work with a particular WWE talent, matches being teased for this week's SmackDown Live, as well as a SmackDown Live Superstar revealing their all-time favourite Superstar.

We take a look at five news stories from August 12th, 2018 in today's WWE Daily News Round-Up:

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#1 SummerSlam betting odds

At SummerSlam, we'll see Roman Reigns have another shot at the Universal Championship, in a match against Brock Lesnar, and the betting odds are hinting at a lot of different things that could happen. The betting odds from BetWrestling.com is in favour of Reigns for this match with the odds at -300 for Reigns and +300 for Lesnar.

Another exciting match is the Intercontinental title match between Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins; the latter who will be chomping at the bit to win back the title, and the betting odds suggest that Rollins (-285) will win back the IC title from Ziggler (+205).

Braun Strowman will defend his Money in the Bank contract against Kevin Owens, and the winner of the match could win the Universal Championship. Strowman (-300) is the favourite here according to the betting odds against Owens (+220).

AJ Styles is also, according to the betting odds, the favourite to retain his belt (-160) to retain his belt against Samoa Joe (+120).

The RAW Women's title will also be on the line at SummerSlam as Ronda Rousey gets a shot at a WWE Championship against Alexa Bliss, and she's a huge favourite (Rousey -420) to win her first WWE title (Bliss +300), while the SmackDown Women's champion, Carmella's triple threat match against Charlotte and Becky Lynch could be a close run thing (Carmella +115, Lynch +185, Charlotte +235).

The grudge match between Daniel Bryan and The Miz is also right down the middle, and the betting odds can't seem to call it at the moment (Bryan -105, The Miz -135).

#2 Becky Lynch reveals the Superstars she looked up to

Becky Lynch is one of the best women Superstars in the WWE roster, currently, and will be hoping to defeat Charlotte and Carmella for the SmackDown Live Women's championship at SummerSlam.

In an interview with Wrestling Compadres, The Irish Lasskicker revealed which WWE legend inspired her and helped her develop her character.

"Dusty Rhodes was a really important part of building up my confidence because even though I felt physically that I had never been an athlete -- that is something that I have kind of learned, the athletic part was really hard for me. But the talking ability and the ability of being a character was something that I had studied and that was something that I was constantly working at when I was outside of the pro wrestling world. Without his support, I don't know that I would be here today." (H/T WrestlingInc for the transcription)

She also said that WWE's "My Sacrifice" videos featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin were motivational and inspirational to her as a young fan.

#3 Possible matches for this week's SmackDown Live

It was confirmed a few days ago that Lana and Rusev will team up to face against Zelina Vega and Andrade Cien Almas in a mixed tag team match at SummerSlam.

Aiden English, who has been with Rusev and an important part of Rusev's "Rusev Day" gimmick, challenge Almas to a 1-on-1 match for this week's SmackDown Live.

I know it’s been a hard few weeks for #RusevDay but I swore to make it up to @RusevBUL & @LanaWWE - so ahead of their #SummerSlam match, I’m demanding here and now to face @AndradeCienWWE 1 on 1 this Tuesday on #SDLive - I’ll do whatever it takes. https://t.co/P881KA0koN

— Aiden English (@WWEDramaKing) August 11, 2018

Vega accepted the challenge on her client's behalf:

You are NOBODY to be demanding ANYTHING from #elidolo .But... beating some respect into you before our match at #SummerSlam sounds like a lovely idea. My client.. ACCEPTS. https://t.co/veAxtxSvIQ

— Zelina Vega (@Zelina_VegaWWE) August 12, 2018

Since Paige's in-ring retirement, Absolution - Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, have not had much success or been part of any interesting storylines. But that could change, starting from this week's SmackDown Live, as the SmackDown GM has something up her sleeve for her former Absolution teammates.

Woah, thats some big words that you’re using baby girl. But Charlotte and Becky earned their opportunity.. don’t worry, you’ll get to earn yours and not forgetting you too @SonyaDevilleWWE on Tuesday. 😘 https://t.co/hJmwmdjVYr

— PAIGE (@RealPaigeWWE) August 11, 2018

#4 Roman Reigns does not want to work with Paul Heyman

WWE's worst-kept secret is that Brock Lesnar will most likely fight his last WWE match at next's week SummerSlam PPV, against Roman Reigns.

With Lesnar leaving, there has been speculation that Paul Heyman may represent some other WWE Superstar, with the rumours even suggesting that Reigns could be that Superstar.

But Reigns has categorically said that he is not interested in working with Heyman or anyone else.

The Big Dog said the following in an interview with Newsweek, “Nah I like talking for myself. That’s one thing I want too, just a little longer promos you know what I mean? Just me and the mic that would be nice. Do a lot of interactive promos in the ring and stuff like that. That’s how you grow and it’ll be cool to get those long, solo promos.

"Working with Paul, there’s nothing wrong with just sitting there like a boss and let your attorney do the talking. Let him talk the logistics, and I’m sure Paul won’t have a problem reading off my resume, it’ll take a while but he’s pretty good with stuff like that. But I would still want to talk for myself, 100 percent.” (H/T NoDQ for the transcription)

#5 Triple H talks about Tegan Nox's injury at Mae Young Classic

Tegan Nox

Tegan Nox injured herself at the Mae Young Classic, when a dive that she performed while facing Rhea Ripley caused a torn ACL injury.

In an interview with ESPN, Triple H spoke about the injury and how heartbreaking it was for him, "Tegan, to me is this story of, you know, last year we really wanted her to be in the tournament and she had the ACL injury that prevented her from being in it. It took her all year [to recover] and she just got rolling and really feeling good and just gets cleared, I mean, 100 percent banging around on it and it's great."

He also revealed how Nox got injured, "To come here tonight and be in a position to where, let me just say, it couldn't have been any more heartbreaking for her. Emotionally, just couldn't have been any more heartbreaking. I don't know, at this point, what happened. She landed funky on a dive and hurt herself."