WWE News & Rumor Roundup: 2-time World Champion signs with AEW, Huge Royal Rumble plan for Roman Reigns, WrestleMania 41 spoiler?
We're on the road to Bad Blood, but there is always anticipation that WWE could cook up for early 2025. Royal Rumble kicks off WrestleMania season, and next year, Roman Reigns could do something he hasn't since 2020.
WrestleMania 41 will likely be the biggest event in the company's history, and Cody Rhodes recently provided a minor spoiler about what to expect. With AEW signing a new media rights deal, rumors suggest a former WWE World Champion could soon be All Elite.
Let's check out the top stories of the day in detail:
#1. Bobby Lashley is reportedly AEW-bound
The Fifth Anniversary Dynamite episode saw the debut of Shelton Benjamin as the Gold Standard reunited with MVP in a segment with Prince Nana.
The group formerly known as The Hurt Business is set to reform in All Elite Wrestling as The Hurt Syndicate. Fightful reported that MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley signed AEW deals "a number of weeks ago" after talks between both parties began in September.
With Shelton and MVP already All Elite, Bobby Lashley is expected to make his first appearance soon. MVP will serve as the manager, while Lashley and Benjamin will be active wrestlers of The Hurt Syndicate.
Despite being a two-time World Champion, Bobby Lashley couldn't agree on a new contract with the Triple H-led company. As things stand, The All Mighty will soon be a member of Tony Khan's roster.
#2. WWE's potential Royal Rumble plans for Roman Reigns
The next Royal Rumble is set to take place on February 1st, and it seems like the promotion already knows what The Original Tribal Chief will do at the show.
As reported by WrestleVotes on Backstage Pass, Roman Reigns could enter the Royal Rumble match for the first time since 2020. After he won the World Championship, Reigns only competed at the PLE in title matches.
Come 2025, however, he will be in a different setting. The Samoan superstar is also featured prominently on the Royal Rumble poster, and Wrestlevotes noted that it was a clear sign of WWE's plans for the former Undisputed Champion.
Roman Reigns is not expected to be in a singles stand-alone match at the Rumble and could look to punch his WrestleMania ticket via the 30-man showdown.
#3. Cody Rhodes drops a WrestleMania teaser
Roman Reigns' tag team partner for Bad Blood, Cody Rhodes, continues to be a model champion for WWE and maintains his impressive interview streak.
During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, The American Nightmare addressed what he desired to do at WrestleMania 41 and unsurprisingly stated he wished to main event the PLE again.
Cody, however, also hinted at doing something that nobody can predict, and just before he possibly revealed any more details, the Undisputed WWE Champion restrained himself.
"WrestleMania 41... I am looking to do what I've done three times now and enter the main event. But I think it will be something that, perhaps, is bigger than anyone anticipated," Cody Rhodes said. [From 1:00:49 to 1:01:06]
WrestleMania 41 is still far away, and for now, Cody Rhodes would want to ensure that he co-exists with Roman Reigns in the same team at Bad Blood in their quest to punish Solo Sikoa's Bloodline.