Tonight's SmackDown is expected to be huge (we shared news on another planned return here), and with WWE looking to make its mark on ESPN with Wrestlepalooza on September 20, things are heating up in the company.
In our latest WWE rumour roundup, we have some big Brock Lesnar, AJ Lee, and WWE Draft updates, along with news on that Wrestlepalooza card and minor pieces on another NXT callup, future international WWE PLEs, and more.
Check out our latest WWE rumour roundup below, but be warned that some spoilers follow...
- Tonight should be the night that AJ Lee makes her long-awaited WWE return, but according to @WrestleVotes, this isn't the first time the company has tried to make it happen since CM Punk returned at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2023.
- However, this is the first time WWE has pushed for it in "such a big way," as executives look to make a splash with Wrestlepalooza's debut on ESPN later this month.
- There's been some successful NXT callups in WWE this year, with Roxanne Perez and Stephanie Vaquer two obvious examples. Apparently, Tony D'Angelo could be next to hit the main roster, and it may be before the end of the year. He'll likely retain his mobster gimmick, albeit with a few changes.
- WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella has revealed that her Women's Intercontinental Championship match with Becky Lynch at Clash in Paris was originally set for an episode of RAW. Plans changed when Naomi's pregnancy forced her to vacate the Women's World title.
- Bodyslam.net has learned that talk of another WWE Draft "has gone quiet," with plans for one to be held in the coming weeks now put on hold. Instead, it seems we can expect talent to be quietly swapped between brands, similar to what we've seen with LA Knight and Sami Zayn.
- Fightful Select reveals that "numerous people of influence within WWE" are pushing for a future PLE to take place in Hong Kong.
- The rivalry between Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles is far from over and looks set to continue at the upcoming AAA Worlds Collide PPV. Mysterio is currently scheduled to face El Hijo del Vikingo for the AAA Mega Championship, and it seems The Phenomenal One will be getting involved with the match.
- According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship is "at last word said to be still up in the air, and it could be McIntyre vs. Randy Orton" at Wrestlepalooza instead.
- It seems we also came close to seeing Brock Lesnar sign with another professional wrestling company, as he "actually just signed a new contract to return. He was getting paid on his prior contract long after they stopped using him, but that deal did expire and he actually was a free agent for months until the new deal was signed."