Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Latest on Drew McIntyre, AJ Styles, and More

Drew McIntyre is amid a major push that has seen him ascend to the top of WWE Raw as the No. 1 contender to Seth Rollins' World Heavyweight Championship.

According to a new report, though, there are still questions surrounding his contractual status with the company.

The latest on The Scottish Warrior's status beyond 2024 headlines a collection of rumors that also includes updates on AJ Styles and Grayson Waller, as well as backstage frustration over recent creative protocol in All Elite Wrestling.

Latest on Drew McIntyre's Contractual Status

Drew McIntyre will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday to challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship as part of WWE's Crown Jewel event, but there are still questions about The Scottish Warrior's contractual status ahead of the hotly anticipated bout.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that the Scot has yet to sign a new deal with the company and that "McIntyre is the first major domino that could fall in the TKO era of re-signing major talent to WWE deals. He has less than five months left on his WWE deal, and it's actually up ahead of next year's WrestleMania."

WWE has taken steps to increase McIntyre's presence on the show of late and is teasing a heel turn that would likely have considerable effect on the Raw product. Perhaps the increase in creative for the former WWE champion is the company's sign of good faith that it will utilize him correctly and in significant roles if he re-signs.

Otherwise, it would be interesting that WWE should focus so much attention on the 38-year-old and his character's development if there was any real concern that he would not be re-upping with the promotion at some point in the coming months.

Sapp's report also noted Becky Lynch's contract is up in 2024.

She is another major star for a promotion that cannot really afford to lose two established performers with strong bonds with its fanbase.

When Will AJ Styles Return to TV?

WWE fans have not seen AJ Styles since a brutal backstage assault by Solo Sikoa on the September 22 episode of SmackDown, but he is on his way back sooner rather than later.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported The Phenomenal One is expected to return on the November 10 edition of the blue brand.

Considering where things left off with The Bloodline, expect to see the former WWE champion seek revenge against Sikoa, who will be coming off of a blockbuster showdown with John Cena at Crown Jewel.

Styles brings veteran star power, and working with Sikoa will only help the second-generation competitor with his growth and evolution. The two previously competed against each other on the September 1 episode of SmackDown in a match won by the heel following interference from Jimmy Uso.

Can Styles avenge the loss and the beating that took a month of his career away from him?

We will know the answer soon.

Grayson Waller Plans for Crown Jewel

Grayson Waller has quickly become one of the breakout stars of WWE, thanks to his charisma and ability to go blow-for-blow verbally with the top stars in the company, including John Cena and Cody Rhodes.

So, it's no surprise that WWE officials want to find a way to work him into as many high-profile segments and matches as possible.

Johnson reported that there have been discussions about booking a Waller segment at Crown Jewel on Saturday (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats).

Whether it's hosting talk shows, competing in singles matches against Hall of Famers like Edge or teaming with Austin Theory in one of the fun, young acts in the company, the Australian is about as adaptable a performer as there is in WWE.

That is quite the statement given how young he still is in the business.

It's not yet known what the 33-year-old may be involved in, but the last time WWE worked overtime to get Waller onto a card, it was at Money in the Bank in London on July 1, when he shared the ring in a promo with Cena.

Creative Frustration Within AEW

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reported that there is mounting frustration in the AEW locker room over communication regarding creative that is becoming later and later than it had been previously.

Meltzer compared the situation to the days of Vince McMahon in WWE Creative, when plans for any given show were still being rewritten well into the afternoon and no one really knew what they were doing for any given show.

AEW coach Jerry Lynn chimed in on the report, posting on X (formerly Twitter) and blaming the leak of information to the wrestling media:

That's an interesting response from Lynn given the fact that AEW routinely announces matches and creative plans for episodes of Dynamite, Rampage and Collision well in advance of the show on its own social media platforms.

Perhaps, though, that is the reasoning. Khan and Co. don't owe talent an explanation but a change of that magnitude without warning would understandably create confusion and frustration behind the scenes.

It's a fine line to walk, but it's one that can be negotiated with open lines of communication, assuming that is the issue.