Rumor Roundup: WWE counter programming AEW, John Cena, CM Punk plans, Bayley, more!
Cageside Seats • • entertainment
Key Points:
- WWE is using John Cena strategically in NXT to avoid being overshadowed by AEW's popular Blood & Guts show, focusing on maintaining competitive ratings rather than outright wins.
- Cena is also expected to announce The John Cena Classic on Monday Night Raw, with December 19 being the likely date, positioning it against AEW's Worlds End event.
- Executive shifts in WWE and NXT suggest CM Punk is not currently considered for an NXT role, though it remains a possibility in the future, while Bayley may take on a talent development role in NXT rather than joining AEW.
- Jake "The Snake" Roberts has re-signed with WWE after leaving AEW, and Darren Young is working as a guest coach at WWE's Performance Center.
- MLW nearly secured a deal with Paramount, but the UFC agreement affected those plans; additionally, Mike Kilts has left MLW, with Rafael Morffi stepping in to lead live event operations.
