Buying or Selling the Latest Becky Lynch WWE Rumors, MJF's New AEW Contract and More

It might just be time to admit that the pro wrestling rumor mill might never cool again.

Just when it looked like the mill would slow, an eruption of must-see buzz emerged, headed up by more free-agency and contract rumors surrounding names like Becky Lynch.

Plus, the industry as a whole is just booming still. MJF just made his massive return to AEW and CM Punk could be back or at least play a major role in events for WWE soon.

Not only that, WWE just wrapped up 2024 King and Queen of the Ring and next heads to Clash at the Castle: Scotland on what feels like a really short turnaround.

Here's a look at the must-know rumors for the week and whether fans should buy and sell on each.

Becky Lynch Stepping Away?

Is there some truth to the upcoming trip to free agency for Becky Lynch?

By now, even the most casual fans have probably noticed something is going on after Lynch's recent losses to Liv Morgan, her walking out and throwing out ominous posts on social media.

According to Fightful Select (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), Lynch has yet to re-up with WWE. Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer (h/t Ortman) followed up by reporting that Lynch will take an "extended leave" from WWE.

One of WWE's true always there presences, it's no great shock Lynch might want to step back and take some time. There's an added bonus there that this could turn up the pressure on WWE in negotiations, but it doesn't feel like anyone should be suggesting there's a threat to go to AEW, either.

This is also just smart pro wrestling too. The women's division is in a great spot and Lynch stepping away for a bit has yet another benefit—no risk of overexposure, but fans instead yearning to see her again.

Verdict: Buying

Ricochet's Deal Expiring Soon?

Another free agent who could be on the move soon and most fans would agree might fit in a place like AEW?

How about Ricochet?

Those who have theorized such a fit are in luck—Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp has reported that Ricochet's contract will expire in the summer.

And unlike some of the names on the rumor mill right now, Ricochet re-upping with WWE feels like a sell. His first-round exit in the King of the Ring, his being shoved into the WWE Speed social media experiment and droves of previous booking examples suggest he might be content to leave.

Plus, Ricochet simply might be a better fit on the AEW roster given the style of wrestling over there now.

Verdict: Selling

MJF's New Deal Details

MJF made his long-anticipated return at Double or Nothing, which worked to confirm a few things for fans.

Chief among those was the return slamming home the idea that MJF was in it with AEW for the long haul as opposed to flirting with the idea of leaving in free agency for WWE.

Fightful Select (h/t Ortman) followed the big moment up by reporting that MJF's new deal is lengthy and in the "multi-million dollar per year" range. As an aside and as fans could probably tell, the report included mention of lingering mystery around the star's injury recovery and major booking plans.

While some fans might be a little disappointed that there won't be more storylines devoted to MJF potentially jumping ship, now probably isn't the right time for AEW's biggest star to be painting WWE as a bigger opportunity, either. The company doing whatever it takes to keep one of the best things going in the sport is a no-brainer.

Verdict: Buying

Yet Another WWE Contract Rumor

Rumor has it that Becky Lynch and MJF weren't the only big names with expiring contracts to know about as we head into the summer.

Chad Gable, apparently, is a possible free agent to watch, too.

All kidding aside, Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp reported that Gable's contract will expire next week ahead of Clash at the Castle.

The timing of this is pretty shocking considering Gable currently sits in the orbit around Sami Zayn and the Intercontinental Championship, while his simmering feud with friend Otis looks to be a notable summer-long storyline.

And yet, we've seen WWE apparently run down to the wire on contracts with names as big as Drew McIntyre lately despite his main-event status and prominent feud with CM Punk. There's not much reason to think this buzz about Gable leaking is false, so look for at least a short-term deal that gets them through the event in Scotland.

Verdict: Buying

Randy Orton and Gunther Botch?

Sometimes, WWE takes incidental things and makes them part of a storyline or feud in notable ways, which is just smart business.

But according to Fightful Select (h/t Ortman), the controversial finish at King and Queen of the Ring in which Randy Orton's shoulder wasn't all the way down on Gunther's winning pin was, in fact, an accident.

Call it a massive sell, folks. Mistakes happen, sure, but Orton—who debuted on a weekly WWE program back in 2002—is unlikely to botch the finish of such an important match.

And it's awfully convenient now that the footage just so happens to be used as the two figure to feud. There are certainly times when mistakes get traction with fans and used, but it's hard to imagine this is one of them.

Verdict: Selling