• WWE Believes Top AEW Star Will Return To Them In 2026
WWE has signed some of AEW’s biggest attractions in recent years, including Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Jade Cargill and Mariah May.
The next name on that list could be Chris Jericho, who has not appeared on AEW programming since April of this year. The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla signed with AEW in 2019 and became the company’s first World Champion. After six years with Tony Khan’s promotion, he may be on his way out.
According to the Wrestling Observer, people in WWE believe that Jericho will return to the company in 2026 after his AEW contract is up at the end of this year. The decision is up to Jericho after his deal expires.
In a recent interview, Y2J said that he’s with AEW right now, but won’t be opposed to a WWE return.
Chris Jericho last appeared on WWE programming at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia in 2018.
• Seth Rollins Expected To Miss WrestleMania 42
World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins hit Cody Rhodes with a Coast-To-Coast Headbutt during their match for the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship last Saturday. The Visionary ended up hurting his left shoulder during the process.
As previously noted, Rollins is set to undergo surgery soon and his injury is the reason why WWE suddenly broke up The Vision. His rumored title defense against CM Punk is also in jeopardy.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided an update on Rollins and revealed that he is going to be sidelined for a long time. The World Heavyweight Champion is expected to be out of action well past WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas next year.
The rumored plan for next year’s Show Of Shows was a match between Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, but that will likely be scrapped as The Visionary is expected to miss the event.
Judging by the current situation, Rollins may end up vacating his World Heavyweight Championship soon.
• Latest WWE Departure Announced
WWE has let go over a dozen names from its developmental brands over the last week. The latest name to announce his departure is Bryce Donovan.
He took to X to share the news following his loss to Jackson Drake in a WWE EVOLVE Championship Match at EVOLVE Succession last night.
“Finale.
I will no longer be with WWE ID or Evolve
Thanks for the good time everyone
Learned a lot especially from @TheRealXPac who’s the best coach anyone could ask for
I’ll let you know what’s happening next when I decide or maybe I won’t idk yet ✌️”
It is unknown if Bryce decided against renewing his WWE ID contract or if the company let him go.
The 8-year veteran was recruited out of Wrestling Open at the end of last year. He appeared in promotions like MLW (Major League Wrestling) and OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling).
• Andrade Could Be Suspended From Wrestling For 1 Year
Andrade was fired by WWE back in September due to a number of violations of the company’s Wellness Policy. He has made several appearances across different promotions since then, and even became the Crash Heavyweight Champion in his first match after the end of his second WWE run.
Soon after his WWE departure, reports indicated that the former United States Champion was outright released and therefore didn’t have a non-compete clause, but that didn’t turn out to be the case.
After his appearances on the independent circuit and in AEW, WWE reportedly informed Andrade that he could not work for any other promotion until his non-compete clause expired. The company also made it clear that he would not be paid during the period he was expected to stay at home.
PWInsider is now reporting that there has been discussion in lucha circles about Andrade possibly missing one year of in-ring action for violating his WWE contract.
However, this would depend on whether that clause in his WWE contract can be successfully challenged from a legal standpoint.
• Jacob Fatu Expected To Be Out Of Action For A Very Long Time
Jacob Fatu made his return on the September 26th edition of SmackDown, where he laid out Drew McIntyre when The Scottish Psychopath was ranting about his loss to Cody Rhodes at Wrestlepalooza.
On last week’s episode of SmackDown in Perth, Australia, The Samoan Werewolf made it clear in a backstage segment that he wanted a shot at The American Nightmare’s Undisputed WWE Championship.
It seems like WWE will have to scrap current plans for Fatu as Bodyslam+ is reporting that The Samoan Werewolf has been affected by a “non-wrestling-related injury”, which will keep him out of action for a very long time. It was noted that he could be sidelined well into 2026, with a strong chance that he won’t step into the ring again this year.
Jacob Fatu was scheduled to face Drew McIntyre on tomorrow’s episode of SmackDown after Crown Jewel.
Prior to his injury, The Samoan Werewolf was rumored to face Drew McIntyre at Saturday Night’s Main Event in November for an Undisputed WWE Title Match on the line at Survivor Series: WarGames.
WWE has not made any official announcement regarding Fatu’s injury yet.
