Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Newest on Cody Rhodes, Bret Hart, and Extra

Who’s up subsequent for Cody Rhodes as he prepares to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship in his hometown of Atlanta at Unhealthy Blood on October 5?

The reply to that query is on the forefront of this assortment of wrestling rumors, which additionally contains the newest on Bret Hart’s look on Uncooked, a possible return to WWE, and the standing of free brokers Bobby Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin.

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the reception backstage to Bret Hart on Monday was optimistic and that he was handled very properly by all, together with Triple H.

The Hitman and the WWE chief content material officer have a sordid historical past, relationship again to The Sport’s involvement with the Kliq within the Nineteen Nineties, so there was loads of intrigue surrounding how they’d get alongside upon Hart’s return to the corporate.

As Meltzer famous, every part was business-like and respectful, with Triple H seemingly recognizing the significance of getting Hart within the fold.

The Hitman’s look on Uncooked was the primary time he has appeared on-screen in WWE since he sat ringside at Conflict on the Fortress in Cardiff, Wales in September 2022.

The second-generation Celebrity and five-time WWE champion is without doubt one of the most revered and beloved rivals in firm historical past. He was revered and idolized by many within the locker room and is the inspiration for numerous others, together with CM Punk.

His model has formed Superstars in WWE and All Elite Wrestling so to see him again on tv, getting the love that he did from followers in his hometown of Calgary, made for a particular second.

Meltzer additionally revealed on WOR that Solo Sikoa is just not anticipated to be the challenger for the undisputed WWE title at Unhealthy Blood in Atlanta, however it may very well be Jacob Fatu.

Sikoa will problem The American Nightmare for the championship on SmackDown’s USA Community debut Friday evening. Rhodes, alternatively, expressed his want to sq. off with Fatu on the September 6 episode, solely to see his request ignored by the self-proclaimed “Tribal Chief.”

Rhodes vs. Fatu can be a superb essential occasion, not less than primarily based on every part else we now have seen out of the champion throughout this title reign, however one has to marvel whether it is too early to run with that match at this level.

Fatu is particular, the kind of monster who may be constructed up for months, wreaking havoc and turning into extra harmful with each passing match.

Sizzling-shotting his title alternative when it might simply be a big a part of the construct to WrestleMania 41 would seem like a mistake, however understanding the inventive forces in place in WWE proper now, the chances are plans for each main PLE main into the largest present of the 12 months are already laid out and intricately plotted.

If it does find yourself being Rhodes vs. Fatu, it will place the previous in peril and pressure him to be the resilient champion he has been since profitable the title and in entrance of an overwhelmingly optimistic viewers in his hometown.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider Elite reported that inventive pitches for Raquel Rodriguez have been made, suggesting a return is close to (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats).

Rodriguez has not appeared on WWE tv since February’s Elimination Chamber PLE, when she competed within the same-titled ladies’s match, which was gained by Becky Lynch.

The second-generation star revealed shortly after on social media that she had Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and had a number of months of remedy forward earlier than she might return to the squared circle.

The 33-year-old has a wealthy historical past with each Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, serving as tag staff companions and opponents of every throughout her essential roster run. A situation during which she reunites with Morgan to oppose Ripley would make sense given the truth that The Eradicator value each the WWE Ladies’s Tag Crew Championship when she injured Morgan.

It could additionally present Mami with an impediment to beat as an alternative of operating over Morgan briefly order and reclaiming her title when there’s nonetheless loads of time to construct to that second.

Bobby Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin have had talks with AEW about coming in beneath the identify “The Harm Syndicate,” Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Choose reported.

The trio, together with Cedric Alexander, skilled a few of its biggest success in WWE through the pandemic period as The Harm Enterprise and had hoped to reunite within the firm earlier than plans have been nixed.

With all three free from their contracts with the corporate, the chance is there for Tony Khan to capitalize on their star energy and produce the group to AEW to bolster the roster.

How they’d be utilized on a roster that’s already brimming with expertise is a good query, however one must assume Khan would shortly discover one thing for a star the magnitude of Lashley to do, be it on the planet title image or elsewhere.

Benjamin can be some of the revered abilities on the planet, so AEW followers would welcome him with open arms.

How MVP suits in, and whether or not there can be any wrestling in his future, can be one other query, and the distinction between singles runs for the others or a trios run for the group as an entire.