Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Latest on CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre, Jacob Fatu, More

CM Punk and Drew McIntyre have been warring nearly from the moment the former returned to WWE at last November's Survivor Series and, despite a high-profile match at SummerSlam, their issues remain as intense as ever.

So much so that another premium live event match could be looming.

That potential match headlines this collection of rumors and innuendo, which also examines Jacob Fatu's long-term plans, the latest on the tag team title situation on SmackDown, and what the final card for AEW All In might look like.

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Punk-McIntyre II Set for Bash in Berlin?

CM Punk escalated his rivalry with Drew McIntyre Monday night on Raw, whipping him with a leather belt in an angle that likely foretold the direction the feud is heading.

Ibou of Wrestling Purists reported that, "according to multiple sources within WWE, CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre in a Strap Match is planned for Bash In Berlin."

The report comes on the heels of some taking exception to the match between Punk and McIntyre at SummerSlam, which was good but never quite lived up to lofty expectations given the lengthy creative that went into it.

A rematch between the two would give the rivals the opportunity to improve upon it, with potential for a third, deciding match depending on its outcome.

Regardless of the direction things head if and after that match takes place, the feud itself deserves a more intense, heated, violent match than what we got in Cleveland.

Jacob Fatu Plans

To this point, Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns have been kept apart, with the Samoan Werewolf being the sole member of the revamped Bloodline not to suffer any sort of retribution from the Tribal Chief.

That has been by design, per Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio.

Whether he is legitimately injured or not following the top-rope splash from the ring to the announce table, Fatu has been kept away from Reigns to protect his aura and the eventual showdown between the two.

It is a wise decision on the part of the creative team, especially if there is a plan in place for Reigns vs. Fatu at some point down the line. If Reigns runs through him like he did the rest of the Bloodline, any desire to see that match goes out the window. Instead,

By keeping Fatu away, he retains his legitimacy and that eventual showdown with Reigns has the potential be one of the most hotly anticipated matches in the company.

Even more so than Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa, which looks to be coming sooner rather than later.

Bloodline Tag Team Championship Plans

Meltzer also reported that the Bloodline is expected to adopt the old Freebird Rules when it comes to the defense of the WWE Tag Team Championship, even if that has not been fully explained on TV yet.

The idea is that the gold will be defended by whoever Sikoa chooses, meaning that Fatu will not necessarily have to be Tama Tonga's partner when the titles are on the line.

It frees him The Samoan Werewolf up and prevents him from being part of the team that ultimately drops the gold if and when that happens, while further building heat for the heel faction as it will be deemed unfair by fans.

Is it original? No, but it is a tried and true device that has worked for the last four decades so it is no wonder that a wrestling historian like Triple H, who employs Michael "P.S." Hayes of the original Freebirds, would lean on it.

AEW All In Card Length

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that AEW All In is currently slated for 10-12 matches.

In the past, AEW has received justified criticism for their overly long, oftentimes bloated pay-per-view cards in which there are far too many matches, thus watering down the significance of the more important showdowns.

That may very well end up being the case with the August 25 show from Wembley Stadium in London but in this case, as the show is the most important of the year for the company, it makes sense that Tony Khan and Co. would want to get as many competitors on the show as possible, even if that means running the card longer than it necessarily has to be.

The show is currently headlined by Swerve Strickland defending the AEW World Championship against Bryan Danielson and MJF putting the AEW American Championship on the line against Will Ospreay.

Mariah May and "Timeless" Toni Storm settle their difference for the women's title while Mercedes Mone defends the TBS title against Dr. Britt Baker DMD.

Already a stacked card with only eight matches announced, it will be interesting to see what else the company puts together for its premier event.