WWE has plenty happening behind the scenes right now, with possible injuries, potential returns, and major WrestleMania plans all generating buzz. From The Bloodline and The Rock to AJ Lee and Ilja Dragunov, there's no shortage of intriguing developments.
Meanwhile, Kevin Owens' status is being questioned after concerning footage emerged online, while WWE is reportedly looking at ways to shake up its tag team divisions and expand Cathy Kelley's role. Here’s the latest batch of rumours and updates making the rounds...
- While some fans are already seeing signs that the reunited Bloodline could be heading for another implosion, WrestleVotes Radio has heard that WWE’s current kayfabe storyline involving the group is expected to continue through WrestleMania 43 next year, which is currently planned for Saudi Arabia. The eventual addition of Zilla Fatu could also factor into those plans.
- The biggest question is whether Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will actually be available to return to WWE for an angle or match with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. The Rock’s rumoured filming schedule for the final Fast & Furious movie suggests the timing may not work out.
- There could also be a financial hurdle, too. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said reaching a deal with The Final Boss for a WrestleMania match could be problematic, as "there are definitely people behind the scenes" who believe the "never-ending money supply" the Saudi Arabian government has been willing to spend on major sporting events "may not be never-ending anymore."
- According to Fightful Select, while AJ Lee hasn’t appeared for WWE since WrestleMania, the company expects her to return for another run.
- The site has also revealed that WWE is reportedly very impressed with Cathy Kelley and wants to expand her role beyond simply serving as a backstage correspondent. One idea being discussed would see Kelley become a "focal point" of WWE’s social media campaigns, including a major role in the "social aspects of Club WWE."
- WrestleVotes has also heard from a source in AEW that Tony Khan is expected to try signing Ilja Dragunov very soon, assuming he hasn’t already approached him. On the WWE side, the outlet was told that Dragunov is not expected back with the company anytime soon following his recent decision to leave.
- Tony Khan told Metro UK that had he been "presented a plan" for how and when WWE would have booked Adam "Edge" Copeland against John Cena during Cena’s WWE retirement tour last year, he "would have supported it."
- On Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez claimed that regardless of the result of CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens on SmackDown for the Undisputed WWE Championship, the match was always intended to be a one-and-done.
- WrestleVotes reports that WWE has been discussing ways to freshen up the tag team divisions on both RAW and SmackDown.
- Footage making the rounds on social media shows Kevin Owens being helped to the back during a WWE live event last night. There’s no word yet on the severity of whatever happened or what his current status is.