Below are a couple of top WWE news stories of the day, involving Rhea Ripley and Erick Rowan.
• According to PWInsider, Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley sustained an injury during last week’s post-WrestleMania 40 episode of RAW.
The injury occurred during a backstage altercation between Ripley and Liv Morgan, where Morgan threw a steel chair, which hit Ripley in the head.
Sources indicate that the severity of Ripley’s injury is significant enough to prompt internal discussions of Ripley relinquishing her championship, with some suggesting that this decision could be announced as early as tonight’s episode of RAW.
Ripley retained the Women’s World Title against Becky Lynch in the opening match of WrestleMania 40.
WATCH: Unseen Footage Of Rhea Ripley’s Buns Exposed At Elimination Chamber 2024 (Part 3):
• Speculation is rife within the wrestling community regarding the potential return of Erick Rowan to WWE. Rowan’s sudden withdrawal from several independent bookings, notably including one for East Coast Pro Wrestling (ECPW), has ignited rumors suggesting a possible reunion with WWE.
The buzz surrounding Rowan’s potential return gained momentum after ECPW announced that he had withdrawn from the event due to “new contractual obligations.” Many interpreted this statement as a strong indication of Rowan’s imminent return to the WWE fold.
Adding fuel to the speculation, reports from PWInsider revealed that Rowan was spotted in Pittsburgh last week. Pittsburgh holds significance as the location where aspiring WWE talent undergo medical evaluations before signing contracts with the company.
Intriguingly, WWE has dropped hints on television hinting at the return of the “Uncle Howdy” character, a persona associated with the late Bray Wyatt, played by Wyatt’s real-life brother Bo Dallas. The first tease surfaced at the conclusion of a documentary honoring Wyatt, fueling speculation that Rowan (a former member of The Wyatt Family) might be returning to be a part of this storyline.
Adding further intrigue to the mix is the possibility of Braun Strowman’s involvement in the “Howdy” storyline. Strowman, who has been sidelined with a neck injury, is anticipated to make his return to WWE in the near future.
