Rumor Look Back: June 28 – July 3, 2025

Welcome to the weekly Rumor Look Back, where we look at the rumors from six months ago and see which played out as originally stated. Let’s jump ri...

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Welcome

to the weekly Rumor Look Back, where we look at the rumors from six months ago and see which played out as originally stated. Let’s jump right in it.

June 28, 2025

According to Fightful Select, WWE anticipated that CM Punk would get booed on the Night of Champions Kickoff show in Saudi Arabia and “prepared accordingly” for it.
This lead to John Cena’s favorite moment
in his entire illustrious career.
PW Insider says multiple matches had their time cut on yesterday’s SmackDown in Saudi Arabia due to the lengthy power outage that caused technical difficulties early in the broadcast.
There was one segment that was rough because of it.
Insider also notes that Hikuleo was spotted yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, leading to speculation that he may be on the show today at Night of Champions.
That’s was his official debut as Talla Tonga. (1/1)
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter mentioned that Claudio Castagnoli’s absence from AEW programming over the past week is “not an injury and has nothing do to with his name being mentioned on WWE television nor a business issue.” It’s reiterated that his absence is “nothing negative at all.”
That’s good. I think AEW isn’t going to be angry if another promotion mentions one of their performers names.
Regarding Chris Jericho’s current hiatus from AEW, The Observer says he is “just waiting for a Tony Khan storyline for a return.”
Sounds like he’s not going to return, though I guess we should technically wait on this.
Following up a rumor from earlier this week about Karrion Kross not bumping, Fightful spoke to “multiple” producers who’ve worked on Kross’ matches “and they claimed that has never been an issue they’ve encountered.”
I don’t think that someone in WWE that isn’t Brock or Roman (and both guys take bumps) has the power to say “I’m not bumping.” Especially a midcard act like Kross. I’m going to split these rumors. (1/2)
The outlet also says people backstage in MLW were very happy with how MJF’s surprise appearance went at Summer of the Beasts in New York City.
That’s good.

June 30, 2025

Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio that the fan who asked CM Punk to apologize was “obviously planted” because “someone wanted him to apologize”.
Yeah, that’s not a surprise. They wanted him to be a babyface in his match with Cena, so they figured they had to do something to get him cheered. And again, it’s John Cena’s favorite moment in his career. (I’m sorry. I just think that’s a ridiculous choice for his favorite moment, but I also think he may be being truthful about it?)
Cory Hayes of Bodyslam.net notes that WWE is planning a battle royal for Evolution 2, with the winner receiving a title shot at Clash in Paris.
That was the case – Stephanie Vaquer won. (1/1)
He also claimed Roxanne Perez is expected to officially be crowned tag team champion alongside Raquel Rodriguez and they will defend those titles at Evolution 2 in a triple threat match.
That’s the case on both aspects of this. (2/2)
One more from Bodyslam on Evolution 2: there have been internal talks to do Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky for the women’s world championship at the show.
It was the main event. A favorite match of the year for me. (1/1)
Fightful Select, meanwhile, says WWE is working on bringing in Trish Stratus for Evolution 2, including possibly working a match.
She also had a title match, unsuccessful against Tiffany Stratton (who has been off TV since losing to Jade Cargill). (1/1)
Fightful also says Otis recently underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery to figure out exactly what the issue is and he’s not currently expected to miss much time but that could always change.
It’s tough because he’s not on TV much as it is.

July 1, 2025

“A source close to the production” provided details on Netflix’s WWE Unreal to Post Wrestling, and compared the docuseries to NFL Film’s Hard Knocks. They say filming is already underway for a second season, which are planned for early 2026 release.
The second second should be out in January. (1/1)
Post’s source also provided episode descriptions for Unreal’s five-episode first season, with one each focused on: Raw’s Netflix premiere, Royal Rumble, the women’s roster, John Cena’s heel turn at Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 41.
I would say this is accurate. (1/1)
The source also said that Dwayne Johnson’s team provided notes on all episodes he appears in.
I’m sure.
For what it’s worth, Saraya told The Orlando Sentinel that she hasn’t had any conversations with WWE about making a return to the company.
I still suspect her to return but I’m a bit surprised it hasn’t been yet. But Mania season kicks things up. She didn’t frequently wrestle in AEW so if there are still concerns about their neck, maybe WWE doesn’t want to go there.
On a recent Fightful Select podcast, Sean Ross Sapp was asked about Orange Cassidy’s return to AEW. Sapp said Cassidy’s “not expected back in the ring any time soon”, and reiterated that it’s believed Cassidy suffered a torn pec earlier this year.
He returned in September. (1/1)
Octagon Jr. has signed a WWE contract, per Bodyslam.net. The AAA luchador is no longer taking independent bookings.
It looks like he’s worked some indies in the last six months. (0/1)

July 2, 2025

Not surprisingly, Fightful Select notes that WWE has reached out to multiple Legends about appearing at Evolution 2.
Mainly for being in the crowd. Outside Trish, there weren’t legends who wrestled (outside Lash Legend).
They also say that “creative and the negotiating came down to the wire.” It seems the entire build to the event behind-the-scenes has been pretty hectic.
Felt like a last minute thing the way it came together.
WWE will hit Saudi Arabia for three premium live events in 2026, Fightful Select says.
We know of one thus far.
Nexus Point News is claiming Cody Rhodes is currently in negotiations to play Guile in the upcoming Street Fighter movie.
That’s the case. (1/1)
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer claimed Rusev and Tony Khan clashed over his creative dating back to his return from injury in 2021 and he didn’t want to lose before leaving AEW.
It’s unfortunately that some folks can try to pull that in AEW if true.
BodySlam.net says WWE has interest in signing Private Party and Danhausen, and their AEW contracts are expiring soon.
Neither are in WWE currently, but it looks like Danhausen’s contract had time added for injury so he may not be a free agent until this year. (0/1)
Per Fightful, AAA star La Hiedra is apparently telling people she has to clear dates with WWE, so the belief is she is now under contract to them.
She does look like she’s mainly working AAA shows and only occasional indies. This “under contract with WWE” rumor that pops up is vague in the sense does that mean they just reworked her AAA contract or does she have a larger WWE contract.

July 3, 2025

According to a report on BodySlam.net’s Patreon, Britt Baker is “actively seeking to part ways with AEW.” Tony Khan “isn’t looking to release Baker from her contract”, at least partly because he doesn’t want Baker to debut with WWE in her hometown of Pittsburgh or at Evolution 2.
She’s apparently still under contract with AEW. At least no one has reported otherwise.
Other reports from yesterday refuted that, however. Fightful Select’s sources at AEW said Baker wanting out or telling management that she wants out of her contract was “news to them” and that they’ve “never heard anything resembling that”. PWInsider also heard from “multiple sources” that “there have been no discussions about Baker exiting the company, asking for a release or being close to being contractually free.”
Seems like these rumors contradict. (1/2)
On his subscription X account, Bryan Alvarez posted that Miz will return to WWE “soon” as Amazon has wrapped filming for the first two seasons of their American Gladiators reboot. Alvarez notes Gladiators will “debut later this year”.
He returned at the end of July. It did not debut in 2025. (1/2)
Asked about reports that Travis Scott would work Money in the Bank on a recent Q&A show, WrestleVotes says that got far enough that WWE made “a lot” of Scott merchandise with the date and location of the show. Votes says the backlash to WWE letting R-Truth go made WWE change creative for Money in the Bank. Votes acknowledged that it’s possible the rapper’s match was moved to SummerSlam, but it’s also possible that WWE has moved on from Scott altogether.
Sounds like it was more they moved on from him.
On this week’s Impaulsive, Logan Paul gave credence to rumors that Scott didn’t work with Booker T as planned to get ready for a match. Paul said Scott was “a little fickle with his training”.
It does feel like there was a concerted effort to smear Scott at the end.
Early lines for Evolution 2 at sites like betonline give Rhea Ripley (over Iyo Sky), Jacy Jayne (over Jordynne Grace) and Becky Lynch (assumed to be facing Lyra Valkyria and Bayley in a Triple Threat) each an 83.3% likelihood of winning their respective matches.
Naomi cashed in to win the title in the Rhea/Iyo match. The other two were correct. (2/3)
Announcer Ian Riccaboni posted on his BlueSky that he re-signed with AEW/ROH. No details on the deal, but Riccaboni added that it was agreed to “a while ago at this point”.
I enjoy his work.