The latest news from WWE and AEW brings some interesting developments. Drew McIntyre, the former WWE champion, has been absent from WWE programming since WrestleMania. It remains uncertain when he will make his return, while Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes feud continues.
According to Fightful Select, McIntyre and the company are currently engaged in contract extension negotiations, which have hit a roadblock. Earlier this year, McIntyre acknowledged the possibility that WrestleMania could mark the end of his WWE career.
Despite holding a contract that expires in early 2024, well ahead of WrestleMania 40, both parties have been unable to reach a new agreement. McIntyre has been a key figure in WWE since his comeback in 2017, but there have been recent reports of miscommunications between him and the company. For instance, WWE failed to inform McIntyre about the brand he would be drafted to last month.
If WWE doesn’t meet his demands, McIntyre will have no shortage of suitors. Both AEW and New Japan are likely to express interest. McIntyre experienced success outside of WWE, particularly during his impressive run in Impact from 2015 to 2017.
Another notable occurrence was the return of Carlito to WWE, generating a tremendous response from the crowd. Carlito appeared to aid the LWO and Bad Bunny, who were under attack by The Judgment Day.
Contract Standoff, Surprise Return, and Feud Continuation: WWE Updates on McIntyre, Carlito, and Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes
Fightful Select reports that Carlito has received numerous pitches in recent years for a potential return, potentially on a full-time basis. However, his appearance over the weekend is currently considered a one-off.
Carlito’s initial tenure with WWE ended in 2010 due to a violation of the company’s wellness policy. Since then, he has remained active on the independent scene. The report suggests that Carlito displayed better backstage behavior compared to his previous run.
While it remains uncertain whether Carlito will secure a long-term deal, the LWO stable has enjoyed considerable success early on. Adding Carlito to the mix would provide an intriguing veteran presence alongside Rey Mysterio.
As for the rumored clash between Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes, Fightful Select reveals that the match played out as planned, with Rhodes securing victory via a roll-up pin. Despite this outcome, the feud is far from over, given the lack of a conclusive winner.
It is highly likely that Lesnar will interfere in Rhodes’ pursuit of the newly created world heavyweight championship. This interference could set the stage for a rematch at Night of Champions later this month in Saudi Arabia.
Lesnar typically appears at WWE’s major events, leaving little time to build a meaningful rivalry with anyone other than Rhodes. The inclusion of Lesnar vs. Rhodes 2 would position them near the top of the event’s lineup and potentially lead to a rubber match at a later date.
Share your thoughts on these backstage rumors and speculate on the potential clash between Drew McIntyre, Carlito, and Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes in the comment section below.
