WWE Rumors on Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Chelsea Green and WWE Eyeing New Contracts

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

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Heyman 'Intricately Involved' in Rhodes, Reigns Exchange on SmackDown

Friday's edition of SmackDown included a pre-taped theatrical segment involving Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.

WWE called upon an experienced hand to help guide the unique package. PWInsider's Mike Johnson reported Paul Heyman "was intricately involved in the segment and personally directed the talent for the scene."

Johnson initially reported that Jeremy Borash, NXT's senior director of content and development, and Rob Fee, WWE's director of character development, were also among those working behind the scenes.

Heyman has been scarce on WWE programming ever since he refused to acknowledge Solo Sikoa as the new "Tribal Chief" in June. That resulted in a beatdown, which wrote him out of the ongoing Bloodline saga for the time being.

Based on Johnson's report, Heyman hasn't strayed too far, though, and it's almost certainly only a matter of time before he's standing by Reigns' side once again.

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Another Chelsea Green Vignette in the Works?

SmackDown featured another pre-taped segment, this one much more comedic, involving Chelsea Green ahead of her dumpster match with Michin. In the skit, Green grows increasingly repulsed as she throws garbage into a dumpster and quips at one point that it was Michin's "home turf."

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp reported WWE filmed more footage, so her career in waste management may not be over.

The contrast in tone between Rhodes and Reigns' conversation and Green taking out the trash couldn't have been more stark, yet both pieces helped to showcase the stars involved. Good character work doesn't always have to be serious.

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WWE Working to Extend At Least 15 Contracts

Sheamus recently confirmed he penned a new deal with WWE, and he may not be the last to pledge his future to the company within the next few weeks.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer (via Alex Hunt of Inside the Ropes) reported that WWE has "started to work on at least 15 new deals for talent whose contracts would be up over the next several months."

Johnson previously cited Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan and Nia Jax as three wrestlers who have been approached about a new deal, and Kevin Owens is reportedly in that group as well.

The allure of staying in WWE is obvious when the promotion has the biggest audience and most resources of any in the world. But sometimes a wrestler is simply ready for a change creatively.

In addition, All Elite Wrestling is reportedly working toward a new media rights deal that will strengthen its financial position. AEW president Tony Khan will have ample resources to make one or two marquee signings to coincide.

When we're talking about 15 wrestlers with contracts due to expire within the year, it stands to reason there could be a significant defection from WWE.

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