• Top AEW Star Won’t Return To TV This Year
All Elite Wrestling will be without one of its top stars for the foreseeable future. According to Fightful Select, Jay White is not expected to make his return to AEW TV at any point this year.
White was originally sidelined with a hand injury that was expected to keep him out for several months. While that recovery alone would have allowed for a return by now, ongoing issues with his shoulder have forced the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion to undergo additional treatment. The decision to finally address the shoulder problem has extended his absence significantly, ruling him out for the remainder of 2025.
The prolonged layoff is another blow to the Bang Bang Gang, the Bullet Club Gold faction that White has led since arriving in AEW. The group has struggled with injuries throughout the year, making it difficult for the stable to maintain consistent momentum on television.
There is currently no timetable for White’s eventual comeback, though the expectation is that his focus will remain on long-term recovery to ensure full health before stepping back into the ring.
• Major Spoiler For Wrestlepalooza & Crown Jewel
Naomi recently vacated the Women’s World Championship due to pregnancy. As seen on this week’s RAW, Adam Pearce announced that the new champion will be crowned at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, where IYO SKY will face #1 contender Stephanie Vaquer for the vacant title.
While IYO and Stephanie are competing for the title at the next PLE, the eventual plan is to put the title back on Rhea Ripley.
According to Billi Bhatti, WWE plans to book Rhea Ripley to win the Women’s World Championship at Crown Jewel: Perth in her home country of Australia on October 11.
Also, WWE plans to make this happen by having Rhea finally defeat IYO SKY. It should be noted that the ongoing angle in the RAW women’s division is that Rhea has never defeated IYO in a singles match.
This would mean that IYO SKY is going to defeat Stephanie Vaquer to become the new Women’s World Champion at Wrestlepalooza.
• Bayley Won’t Face Internal WWE Backlash For Recent Social Media Activity
Concerns that WWE star Bayley might face internal backlash for her recent Instagram Live session with AEW star Mercedes Moné appear to be unfounded, according to a new update from Fightful Select.
Bayley and Moné, longtime friends and former WWE tag team partners, went live on Instagram to reflect on their landmark NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn match from 2015, on the 10-year anniversary of that match. While Moné used the appearance to talk about her ongoing “belt collector” run in All Elite Wrestling, Bayley largely revisited memories of their classic bout. Some fans speculated that Bayley’s participation could create tension within WWE, especially as her role on television has been less defined this year.
Fightful’s report makes clear that no such problems are expected. In earlier eras of the business, performers sometimes risked “heat” for public interactions involving non-WWE ventures. However, the outlet noted that the industry has shifted significantly. In today’s environment, penalizing a talent for a friendly social media appearance would likely trigger backlash from the fanbase.
The report also pointed out the contradiction in disciplining wrestlers over external interactions while continuing to classify them as independent contractors. Restricting something as simple as an Instagram Live with a close friend – especially one that celebrated a pivotal WWE moment – would be difficult to justify under that framework.
Despite frustrations among fans regarding Bayley’s current creative direction, her Instagram appearance with Moné is not viewed internally as an issue.
Speaking of Bayley, she is expected to return to WWE TV soon with a new character. On the other hand, Mercedes will defend her TBS Women’s Championship against Alex Windsor on this week’s AEW Dynamite.
• 2 Ex-AEW Wrestlers Expected To Join WWE Soon
The tag team of Vincent and Dutch, known collectively as The Righteous, may soon be making their way back to a major stage. Fightful Select reports that the duo has begun wrapping up independent bookings, fueling speculation that a WWE deal could be imminent.
This isn’t the first time the group’s name has surfaced in WWE discussions. Back in December 2022, the team took part in a special tryout that featured only independent wrestlers. While there was early interest, the timing coincided with Vince McMahon’s unexpected return to corporate control, which led to a company-wide hiring freeze. As a result, no signings took place, and The Righteous were left waiting.
After their WWE opportunity stalled, the duo went on to join AEW/ROH, where they were managed by WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts. They gained national exposure in All Elite Wrestling, before eventually securing their release earlier this year. That exit has now reopened the door for a WWE move, particularly with interest inside the company said to be stronger than before.
The Righteous have had influential advocates on their side. The late Bray Wyatt was reportedly eager to work with the duo and voiced support for them following their 2022 tryout. More recently, Elijah (formerly Elias) collaborated with them in vignettes, further raising their profile within the WWE system.
While no official contract has been announced, indications suggest momentum is building for WWE to bring in Vincent and Dutch. With independent dates winding down, the stage appears set for the team to possibly debut in WWE sooner rather than later.
• Ric Flair Reveals The Only WWE Star Who Is Close To Charlotte Flair’s Level
During an interview with The Escapist Magazine, Ric Flair once again claimed that his daughter, current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Charlotte Flair, is the best wrestler in the world.
Flair went on to say that the only wrestler on the WWE roster that is close to Charlotte’s level is his Evolution stablemate, Randy Orton.
Here’s what The Nature Boy said:
“The only person who I think is close to her, when he is on and healthy, when you think about in ring timing and knowing where you are all the time, is Randy Orton.”
