MVP WWE Contract Rumors; Mark Henry's Son Jacob Signs; Cody Rhodes Eyes New Title
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
MVP's WWE Contract Reportedly Expires
After many rumors and much speculation swirled regarding his WWE status, MVP is reportedly now a free agent.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Nikunj Walia of Ringside News), MVP's WWE contract expired on Aug. 2, meaning he is free to sign elsewhere if he so chooses.
Meltzer (h/t Bryan Rose of F4WOnline) recently reported that both MVP and Bobby Lashley were set to see their WWE contracts run up "relatively soon." He added that there had been talk within the pro wrestling business of MVP and Lashley trying to reform their Hurt Business stable in another promotion such as AEW once they leave WWE.
Lashley and MVP first formed the Hurt Business in 2020, and they eventually added Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander to the group. They enjoyed enormous success as a unit, including Lashley holding the WWE Championship.
The stable was ended for good in early 2022, and MVP began managing Omos, who entered into a feud with Lashley.
MVP has not been seen on WWE programming for months, but he made a surprise appearance at GCW's Josh Barnett's Bloodsport XI last weekend and challenged Barnett to a match.
The 50-year-old MVP had primarily transitioned to a managerial role in WWE and only wrestled sparingly, but his actions in GCW suggest he could get back in the ring more frequently after leaving WWE.
Mark Henry's Son Announces WWE Contract
The son of WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, Jacob Henry, announced Thursday that he has signed a contract with WWE.
The younger Henry broke the news at Remix Rumble while his father cheered him on in the background:
Jacob is set to be an amateur wrestler at the University of Oklahoma, having committed to the program back in May.
Henry was a Texas state champion in heavyweight freestyle wrestling in high school, and he finished as the state runner-up with Vandergrift High School during his senior season.
He also starred in football and as a shot-putter, and his father recently told TMZ Sports that he was considering playing football at Oklahoma in addition to wrestling.
Mark also said he has made it clear to Jacob that he must get his college degree before fully jumping into his passion of pro wrestling.
Based on Mark's comments, Jacob's WWE contract is likely a developmental deal that will allow him to come along slowly and train at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, when he can.
Mark signed with WWE in 1996 after starring for Team USA in Olympic weightlifting. He went on to become one of the longest-tenured wrestlers in company history, remaining with WWE until 2021.
The former WWE world heavyweight champion signed with AEW in 2021 and served primarily as a commentator for three years before departing the promotion in May.
Rhodes Trying to Bring Back 'Winged Eagle' WWE Title
Cody Rhodes finally finished the story at WrestleMania 40 by beating Roman Reigns for the undisputed WWE Championship, but he has his sights set on another title as well.
In an interview this week with GQ Sports (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News), Rhodes discussed his efforts to bring back the beloved "Winged Eagle" WWE Championship belt, although he also expressed his appreciation for the current title:
"One of the things I like about the title a lot is… it's not a name plate, now it's all about your individual side plates. I also love that this title is specifically this generation's title. I am fond of the Winged Eagle, which is the title from the 1990s. Hulk Hogan wore it, Ultimate Warrior wore it, Ric Flair wore it, Bret Hart wore it. I am actively trying to find a way to get that into the WWE world, but this is also the title that was around Roman Reigns' waist the night I beat him, and there is a part of that that makes me more linked to this look and this aesthetic for a WWE Championship than ever."
The Winged Eagle belt is most nostalgic and popular belt design in wrestling history for many of those who were fans in the 1990s.
As Cody alluded to, several of the greatest Superstars of all time won and wore that belt, and there would likely be a hugely positive reaction to WWE bringing it back in some form or fashion.
However, the current WWE Championship may be perfect for the current era since it features a huge WWE logo that can be showcased when the champion makes public appearances, meaning it is essentially free advertising.
The Winged Eagle didn't have that, but it is possible WWE could make a revamped version that shows off the company logo more prominently.
With that said, Rhodes went through many trials and tribulations to finally win the current WWE Championship, which may make it even more special to him than a belt from the past.
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