Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Newest on Roman Reigns, Becky Lynch, Extra

Roman Reigns sparked unimaginable buzz surrounding WWE at SummerSlam, and curiosity in what’s subsequent for the Authentic Tribal Chief is prone to be excessive. And that features from a merchandising standpoint.

Reigns already has a sizzling new T-shirt adorned with the letters “OTC” and expectations involving his future merchandise gross sales are on the forefront of this assortment of wrestling rumors.

Becoming a member of Reigns as matters of dialog by essentially the most trusted trade insiders are the most recent on Becky Lynch’s retirement standing, whether or not followers can anticipate to see the Lucha Bros in WWE shortly, and the most recent on the backstage confrontation between MJF and Britt Baker that left one former champion suspended.

The return of Roman Reigns at SummerSlam resulted in a deafening pop and, based on Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Choose, may do monster merchandise numbers within the coming weeks and months.

“As indicated, Roman Reigns is anticipated to do insane merch numbers for WWE upon his return. We’re advised he is off to a very good begin, because the customized belts created that includes him offered out in a short time,” he wrote.

Reigns and The Bloodline have been robust merchandise sellers for WWE for 4 years now, so the concept the the returning Tribal Chief—now a babyface in search of revenge on Solo Sikoa for his hostile takeover of The Bloodline—would do enormous numbers isn’t a surprise.

The “OTC” shirt and Reigns’ different objects are prominently featured on WWE Store, capturing followers’ consideration as a lot as The Head of the Desk did by pointing to every of the letters as if to ship a message to Sikoa within the closing moments of SummerSlam.

Reigns is coming off a historic run as undisputed WWE common champion, by which he held the title for 4 years and engaged in a number of the finest storytelling the corporate has produced.

He constructed up fairness with followers and earned their respect in a approach he by no means did because the over-pushed babyface throughout his preliminary singles run and is now poised for a significant run towards Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa that ought to span a number of months.

Becky Lynch made headlines Sunday forward of her episode of Biography on A&E by posting a photograph of herself and her daughter on Instagram with the caption:

“It has been a helluva profession. Being the Man for all of you was an honor, being the mother for her is a privilege. Thanks for watching my bio on @AETV.”

When requested about Lynch’s standing and whether or not she was thought of retired, Sapp reported, “Fightful reached out to sources near the state of affairs and WWE. WWE sources stated that if she was retired in an official capability, they have not been knowledgeable of it as of but, and did not imagine if she did retire, that it might be by way of Instagram.”

He added: “On the time her contract expired, she was planning on merely taking day off, and WWE and Lynch each believed if and when the time was proper that she’d be again within the fold.”

Sapp did affirm that The Man shouldn’t be presently below WWE contract.

It might be tough to think about the previous ladies’s world champion would choose to make use of social media to announce such a big occasion in her life as an alternative of doing so in entrance of the followers who have been so instrumental in her attaining the extent of success that she did.

Nonetheless, with no WWE contract and having fun with her time together with her household away from the squared circle, Lynch needs to be inspired to do what she desires and deal with issues how she sees match.

If that features quietly stepping away from the trade in order that she generally is a mom, a New York Occasions bestseller or the rest she units her thoughts to, so be it.

The Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix) have been main acquisitions by All Elite Wrestling at its onset and have delivered a number of unforgettable matches and moments since its 2019 debut, however the worldwide stars now look like on their approach out.

Sapp reported that Penta’s contract with the corporate is up first, adopted by Fenix’s this September:

“People who we have talked to stated that AEW had needed to re-sign them, however the course of saved getting delayed by Penta and Fenix. Over the previous few weeks, it grew to become evident to AEW that the duo weren’t seeking to re-sign, capped off by an ominous Konnan tweet saying “What goes round comes round 2.”

Ibou of Wrestling Pursits reported that “some sources speculated they have been heading to WWE, some claimed it was a formality.” The report additionally acknowledged that the brothers have been slated for an AEW World Trios Championship Match at All In from Wembley Stadium however these plans have modified.

Sapp concluded: “Maybe essentially the most shocking ingredient is that we have had quite a few sources near the duo that say they have been fairly open in claiming that they’ve had WWE talks already and that there’s a preliminary provide on the desk just like that of what AEW was providing.”

The previous AEW world tag workforce and trios champions, Fenix and Penta have carried out all there’s to do as a workforce within the firm, together with laying the groundwork for the division by way of their matches with The Younger Bucks early in its infancy.

Whereas shedding them can be a blow for any roster, expertise is considerable in AEW, and solely a lot tv time to commit to it, which has been a problem going through the workforce over the past 12 months or so.

How Penta and Fenix will adapt to the WWE fashion, if that’s the place they intend to proceed their careers, stays to be seen. Their awe-inspiring ring fashion and marketability will assist them considerably till everybody concerned can determine the remainder out.

A lot has been made from the reported backstage confrontation between Britt Baker and MJF that left the previous suspended from AEW and off of tv, regardless of an ongoing feud with Mercedes Mone that can culminate at All In on August 26.

“The argument was sparked by feedback Baker is claimed to have made that received again to MJF. We’re advised the preliminary spark was doubtless an older subject that flared up once more when Baker made the feedback. Nobody was prepared to enter specifics on that and numerous individuals have been dismayed the story even leaked, feeling it did not assist anybody that it did.”

Johnson additionally confirmed that stories of MJF “dashing into the ladies’s locker room” have been inaccurate and that Will Ospreay did speak to Baker, however that dialog occurred outdoors the locker room and within the frequent space.

Johnson added:

“There’s a model of the story that claims MJF threw a punch at a wall whereas arguing with Baker, which might insinuate he did in order a method of intimidating her. We’re advised that MJF certainly struck a wall however did so out of frustration after the argument was over and he was not with Baker on the time” and that Baker was suspended however not MJF due to her instigating position.”

Whereas putting partitions in any state of affairs is out of line and needs to be thought of suspension-worthy, it seems issues have been dealt with internally and shortly.

That doesn’t make up for the continued leaks of backstage confrontations and disagreements, which proceed to outline AEW as a lot as its on-screen product does, although.

For the sake of the corporate’s repute, hopefully it could clear these leaks up and stop backstage tiffs from turning into the information moderately than the efforts of these rivals in entrance of the cameras.

Baker remains to be slated to problem Moné for the TBS Championship at All In, in what is taken into account by many to be a dream match.

Talking of which, MJF will defend his AEW American Championship towards Will Ospreay in what figures to be a real Match of the Yr candidate.