Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Latest on Brock Lesnar, Sami Zayn and More

Will Brock Lesnar return to the steel playground that is the Elimination Chamber a year after capturing the WWE Championship in the popular gimmick bout?

The answer to that question headlines a collection of wrestling rumors that also features an update on Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns and plans for John Cena on The Road to WrestleMania.

Dive deeper into each of those topics with these insider reports.

Update on Brock Lesnar Appearing at Elimination Chamber

Brock Lesnar will not be making it two-in-a-row inside the Elimination Chamber come February 18, but he is still scheduled to appear in Montreal at the pay-per-view, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats).

The Beast Incarnate is facing a bit of heat for his post-elimination meltdown at the Royal Rumble, which was not planned, per Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select:

"There were a couple of people in the ring and ringside who weren't prepared for the stairs spot, and didn't know it was coming. The spot where Brock Lesnar threw a piece of the announce table inside the ring was also unplanned. One source said 'we knew a freak out was planned, and it's Brock, so expect anything and everything.' So all seemed well there."

It was when Lesnar put his hands on match official Eddie Orengo where the heat comes in. Sapp noted there "was an unplanned situation when referee Eddie Orengo was thrown over the barricade. We're told that initially it looked like he possibly sustained a foot injury, but we're not sure of the status of Orengo. He had to sell to the back and we're told missed an integral spot towards the end of the match."

Lesnar is a major star and the likelihood there is any real discipline, or that he is held responsible in any way, is low. It's likely this is never spoken of again, if for no other than the value he has to WWE.

As for Elimination Chamber, there has been no specification on what to expect for The Beast, but it will not involve Gunther.

Meltzer reported there are no current plans to run Lesnar vs. The Ring General at either of the next two major shows, but their Royal Rumble showdown was done for a reason and will likely net a program later down the line.

Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns Scheduled for Chamber Main Event

A busy Meltzer also reported that Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship is the planned main event for Elimination Chamber and has been since October or November.

That would seemingly fly in the face of WWE's promotional efforts, though.

The company has not advertised The Tribal Chief to appear at the PPV in Montreal on February 18. One would think, to maximize ticket sales, it would promote the fact that its top star would be competing at the show.

Furthermore, Meltzer stated there is no concern within WWE that the show's same-titled men's match for the United States Championship is not as strong as having the top prize at stake because the Zayn-Reigns match is so hot.

The fans' reaction to Zayn blasting The Head of the Table with a steel chair in the closing moments of the Royal Rumble was proof enough of that. In the lovable underdog's hometown, that reaction will be amplified.

It's a testament to what WWE's creative forces have been able to craft with the storyline that Reigns vs. Zayn is a foregone conclusion given the announcement of The Tribal Chief vs. Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39 for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship but still remains as hotly anticipated as it is.

The U.S. title match currently features Austin Theory, Seth Rollins and Johnny Gargano, a threesome of talent that should ensure the best men's Elimination Chamber match in recent years.

Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and Asuka have qualified on the women's side of things, with a shot at the Raw Women's Championship held by Bianca Belair up for grabs in that Chamber contest.

Latest on John Cena's Schedule Leading into WrestleMania 39

John Cena has been the central figure of WWE's marketing efforts for its latest 2K video game, and he has also been the subject of speculation for WrestleMania 39, but filming may prevent him from having any impact on the build to the event.

Katherine Tulich of Variety reported that Cena has arrived in Australia to take part in director Peter Farrelly's film, Ricky Stanicky.

His participation as the titular character in the movie would seem to eliminate his involvement in the build to The Show of Shows on April 1-2.

Luckily, some quick forethought on the part of WWE officials led to Cena filming a segment with United States champion Austin Theory when he returned to the company for the final match of 2022, per Sapp.

Theory has been challenging the 45-year-old dating back to his days in Evolve, and a recent social media campaign for the upcoming video game saw him do more of the same:

Theory has been a pet project of WWE officials for well over a year now and, since taking on a more serious edge under Triple H, he appears to be on the right track to stardom.

Of course, there will need to be more consistent booking and he could use some shining moments of his own rather than serving as the foil for more prominent babyfaces, but he is better off now than he was when the previous regime was force-feeding him to the audience.

If the 25-year-old can compete against (and defeat) Cena, it would be the best any young star in his position could ask for.

That's a big "if," though.