WWE Rumors on Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Street Profits; Rey Mysterio Eyes The Sphere
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
Reigns, Rhodes Reportedly Staying on SmackDown
Despite the fact that they are being advertised for the first episode of Raw on Netflix, Roman Reigns and WWE champion Cody Rhodes reportedly aren't poised to make a full-time jump to the red brand.
According to PWInsider (h/t Wrestle Ops), Reigns and Rhodes are not leaving SmackDown to become members of the Raw roster.
Rather, WWE is trying to load up the debut episode of Raw on Netflix with as much star power as possible, which is why Reigns and Rhodes are being advertised for the show.
After decades of being on traditional television, WWE's flagship show is making the leap to streaming in 2025 with the first edition of Raw on Netflix taking place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Jan. 6.
That show will represent a pivotal moment in WWE history, so it comes as no surprise that WWE wants to set the tone with a newsworthy event that will compel as many fans as possible to tune in.
There is no better way for WWE to get eyes on the product than by advertising its two biggest stars in Reigns and Rhodes.
Reigns is embroiled in a massive storyline, as he, The Usos and Sami Zayn are attempting to take down the new Bloodline, while Rhodes is feuding with his former friend in Kevin Owens.
It is unclear if both of those angles will still be going on Jan. 6, but even if they aren't, Royal Rumble will be less than a month away at that point, and both Reigns and Rhodes figure to have significant roles at that key premium live event.
Street Profits Reportedly Locked in with WWE
Despite recent speculation that The Street Profits are unhappy in WWE and potentially angling to leave, that is reportedly not the case.
According to PWInsider (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins are "locked into solid WWE contracts" and don't appear to be going anywhere.
Dawkins and Ford raised some eyebrows earlier this month with comments that suggested they were perhaps frustrated with their spot in WWE.
It started with the following post by Dawkins on X:
Then, during a recent appearance on the SmackDown LowDown, Ford discussed some of the trials and tribulations The Street Profits have been going through:
Ford said "there's a lot of frustration," and added that they "lost who we were."
Sources indicated to PWInsider that The Street Profits' comments were made in order to "garner attention more than anything else," suggesting that it is all part of a storyline and a concerted effort to build up interest in the team.
On last week's episode of SmackDown, The Street Profits challenged The Motor City Machine Guns for the WWE Tag Team Championships, but it ended in disqualification when DIY's Tommaso Ciampa interferes.
That suggests another title shot could be in The Street Profits' future, meaning they will continue to be heavily featured on SmackDown amid an angle that is generating them plenty of buzz.
Rey Mysterio Wants WWE Show at The Sphere
The Sphere is among the hottest entertainment venues in the United States currently, and WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio wants to see what a WWE show would look like in that setting.
During an interview with Adrian Hernandez (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News), Mysterio said the following about WWE potentially emanating from The Sphere:
"When I heard [UFC president] Dana White picked that place for a one-night show, I thought, 'Wow, that's special.' Walking into The Sphere for UFC Noche, I was blown away. The first thing I imagined was a WWE event there. The logistics? Oh, you can make it work. If Dana made it work, WWE can definitely do it. I'd love to see a Raw, a SmackDown, or even a pay-per-view there. It's such an awe-inspiring venue, and I think it would deliver an unforgettable experience for fans."
As Mysterio mentioned, UFC 306 was held at The Sphere in Las Vegas back in September, providing the fans in attendance and watching at home with a unique experience.
While The Sphere has most often been used for concerts, a handful of sporting events have taken place there as well, including UFC and the 2024 NHL draft.
Given that WWE is often on the cutting edge and is always looking for a unique angle, having a show at The Sphere feels like something the company's decision-makers may already be discussing and attempting to make happen.
WWE could have the perfect opportunity to do it next year when WrestleMania 41 is held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Aside from WrestleMania itself, WWE puts on several other events in the host city for WrestleMania week, meaning any number of things could occur at The Sphere, including NXT Stand & Deliver, Raw, SmackDown or the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
When taking into account the novelty of The Sphere and WWE's already elite-level production value, WWE inside The Sphere would undoubtedly be a special, one-of-a-kind experience.
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