Buying or Selling Latest Rumors on Hollywood Rock, Drew McIntyre, Jade Cargill, More

The pro wrestling rumor mill has never been hotter.

That's a stunning thing to proclaim, especially when free agency with the likes of CM Punk has happened recently.

But WWE's open-ended storytelling that features The Rock, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes and blurs the lines so well has a way of drumming up endless speculation and buzz.

Case in point, this week's mill offering up ideas about how the four might have matches at WrestleMania 40, which directly impacts the upcoming Elimination Chamber PLE, plus what that Rock character might just look like in the coming days and weeks.

To help fans better sort through all the chaos, here's a look at the most noteworthy rumors and whether they are worth a buy or sell.

Rock Embracing a New Hollywood Heel Era

Not even a month ago, the idea The Roick would embrace a full heel turn and go back to his "Hollywood Rock" days felt like a pipe dream reserved only for video games.

Until now.

According to WrestleVotes (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), Rock will "fully embrace" the heel turn in the end.

While shocking considering some of Rock's non-wrestling pursuits with movies and otherwise that require a clean image, it's an easy buy, too.

It feels like Rock has fully embraced any story changes after fan response, so his taking a villain role near the head of the table alongside Reigns is just good storytelling.

And let's be honest—it's 2024. Pro wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans can surely tell the difference between heel Rock and movie star Dwayne Johnson, so let it rip.

Verdict: Buying

Latest on Big Contract Speculation

One of the biggest contractual talking points of the last three-plus months has been the future of Drew McIntyre.

While McIntyre's usage and brilliant heel turn lately seem to hint he's around for the long term, speculation says otherwise.

PW Insider (h/t Ortman), for example, has noted that an extension hasn't been signed. Fightful Select (h/t Ortman) followed up by reporting that due to injury and inactivity time, McIntyre's contract extends past WrestleMania 40.

But this one is a sell based on simple booking more than anything. McIntyre's involved in the biggest non-Reigns stories and feels like the Elimination Chamber winner, meaning he takes on Seth Rollins at 'Mania.

There, it's easy to project he gets a win so that the injured Rollins can fall back and recover. It's hard to see WWE putting him in these spots without a long-term commitment, let alone giving him a title. In fact, the smart play would be to keep it a secret that he re-signed so that his heel character can threaten to leave the company with one of its top titles.

Verdict: Selling

No Rock and Reigns vs. Rollins and Rhodes Tag Match

Given the open-ended nature of the storytelling so far, it has been fair to wonder if WWE might pull off a tag match that features Rock and Reigns going against Rollins and Rhodes.

But pump the brakes, says a report from Wrestling Observer (h/t Ortman), as such a match won't happen at Elimination Chamber, in part because Rock is only booked for WrestleMania.

It's the easiest buy of the week. It always felt like there was a zero-percent chance WWE put the Rock on Elimination Chamber in any capacity because it takes place in Perth, Australia, meaning the main event would take place around 9 a.m. E.T. back in the United States.

Meaning, if WWE wanted to do this tag match, it would probably need to happen at 'Mania. In turn, that would mean both top men's titles involved in a non-title match at the biggest show of the year.

All this means, frankly, don't expect the tag match to ever happen.

Verdict: Buying

Jade Cargill's Elimination Chamber Status

Jade Cargill's status on the main roster has been a hotly debated point amongst fans and even more so after that epic showing in the Royal Rumble.

According to Daily Update (h/t Ortman), fans will next see her in action as one of the contestants in the women's Elimination Chamber match from Australia.

But so far, it's a sell because the qualifier matches haven't and (so far) aren't scheduled to include Cargill. So unless she is a part of the February 19 Last Chance battle royal, all six spots are accounted for as of this writing.

Considering how WWE mimicked a real sport with Cargill's signing and being very open about her need for reps at the performance center and perhaps even NXT before a main-roster callup, her missing the chamber—but still getting a brief 'Mania match—isn't out of the question.

Verdict: Selling

Britt Baker Return Details?

Over in AEW, it sounds like the company could be getting one of its biggest stars back soon.

Said star is Britt Baker, with Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Andrew Ravens of Wrestling Headlines) noting that Baker has been training for her return and that it should happen soon.

Fans haven't seen Baker in action since September in matches against the likes of Kris Statlander and the lack of her presence has been felt across the AEW product.

This one is a buy, though, based on typical injury return timetables because of the endless noise around a Mercedes Moné debut soon. Given the not-so-subtle "Big Business" event that's coming for AEW, now would be a great time for the women's division to get Baker back at the very top of the card, too.

Verdict: Buying