Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Latest on Becky Lynch, Malakai Black, and More

Becky Lynch last appeared on WWE television in May 2024, dropping the Women's World Championship to Liv Morgan and following it up with another loss inside a steel cage against the same opponent.

Since then, The Man has made headlines for her contractual status with WWE.

Now, it appears there are answers surrounding the status of the future Hall of Famer in relation to the company for which she has been a star for the last decade.

The latest update on Lynch headlines a collection of insider reports that also features rumors on Hulk Hogan, the debuting Penta, and a potentially departing Malakai Black.

Becky Lynch Signs New Deal with WWE

Bryan Anselm For The Washington Post via Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - MAR 26: WWE's Becky Lynch poses for a portrait at the Simon and Schuster offices while promoting her new book in New York N.Y., on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Bryan Anselm For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Becky Lynch is back under the WWE umbrella officially, with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reporting the seven-time world champion has re-signed with the company:

"It was confirmed that after her deal had lapsed in 2024, Becky Lynch has since agreed to a contract with WWE. She appeared at some Netflix-related events, but had told people she was just there supporting. However, she's always planned to make a return, and both WWE and Lynch expected to do business together again."

One report suggested she was originally intended to appear at Monday's Raw on Netflix premiere, but Sapp said that wasn't the case.

"Fightful Select had reported that talent did expect to see her on the show," he said. "However, not only was she not on the show, she wasn't at the show. She was not planned for the Raw-Netflix debut, and her appearance wasn't cut, as was speculated."

That certainly makes sense as the idea of WWE cutting the return of a star of that magnitude at the last second is unlikely.

Lynch has become one of the faces of the company, a legitimate main event talent who can headline television and premium live events and be believable at that spot on the card.

The 37-year-old was a leader of the women's revolution and one of the Four Horsewomen of NXT, who helped bring women's wrestling to the forefront of the company.

Most importantly, she won the first women's main event in WrestleMania history, a moment that cemented her status as one of the top stars in the company.

When Lynch returns, she will be a focal point of WWE's creative efforts and a top figure in the women's division. Whether that means another battle with Rhea Ripley, a feud with Liv Morgan or a program with a new rival, she will be a significant addition back to the active roster.

Backstage Reaction to Hulk Hogan

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Hulk Hogan with Jimmy Hart along side address the crowd during RAW at Intuit Dome on January 6, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)

Hulk Hogan had a rather inauspicious return to WWE Monday, getting a smothering chorus of boos as he stepped through the curtain and addressed fans at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles .

It may be the last time the 71-year-old has the chance to appear in front of a live audience for the foreseeable future.

WrestleVotes reported on Backstage Pass that, while the company may still use the former world champion for pre-taped vignettes and promos, fans may not see much of him in front of the crowd.

Sapp seconded the report for Fightful Select:

"There were a number of people online who suggested he come out as NWO Hogan to lean into it, but one source within WWE said 'that certainly wouldn't have been the original plan. We're trying to sell beer, not get a 70 year old over any way we can.' That source said that they believed WWE would probably consider the context in which Hogan is used moving forward, and said that many knew the reaction was a possibility."

Sapp added that the relationship between WWE and Real American Beer will continue and that some backstage suggested utilizing an entirely different wrestler for the spot.

After the disastrous results of Hogan's appearance on Monday, which saw the divisive star make headlines on mainstream media instead of what should have been a victory lap for WWE and its successful Netflix debut, it would not be surprising to see the company heed that advice moving forward.

Update on Penta's WWE Debut

Former AEW star Penta may not have made his expected debut Monday night on Netflix, but he will be bringing "cero miedo" to Raw sooner rather than later.

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reported that the 39-year-old was originally slated for Monday's Raw, but his debut was pushed back to January 13.

During the Netflix premiere, Chad Gable approached Raw general manager Adam Pearce about a match with a luchador, seeking to prove he does not have a problem beating them. It planted the seeds for Penta's debut and should result in a thrilling match.

One of the most successful stars to come out of Mexico since Rey Mysterio rose to prominence in the 1990s, Penta has competed in AEW, AAA, and he was a central figure of Lucha Underground during its run on El Rey Network.

He is a former Impact Wrestling world champion.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is a noted fan, going as far as to use the luchador's signature "zero fear" hand sign after every completion in the NFL.

Penta is highly marketable and should achieve some of his greatest success in WWE, where he will have the tools to reach even greater international acclaim.

Malakai Black Finishing Up With AEW

Malakai Black was once one of the most intriguing free-agent signings of Tony Khan's All Elite Wrestling, but he may now be on his way out of the promotion.

Will Ospreay defeated House of Black member Buddy Matthews on Wednesday's Dynamite and urged the Australian to step out of the group leader's shadow, which raised a few eyebrows following Black's recent absence.

Sapp said: "This led to much inquiry regarding Malakai Black's status in AEW. Those that we spoke to in the company were of the belief that he was finishing up with AEW if he hadn't already. They did not clarify if he'd be appearing on TV again."

The insider noted the Dutchman's contract had option years past 2024 and that Khan had previously stated the enigmatic star was signed through 2027.

Sapp added: "To be clear, we can't say definitively that Black's contract is up, or that an option had been declined, picked up, or anything transactional."

Black, 39, has experienced puzzling booking since joining AEW, from feuding with Cody Rhodes right out of the gate to disappearing for months at a time. He has won the AEW World Trios Championship, missed time due to injury, lost some, won others, and had an interesting exchange with Adam Cole the last time anyone saw the House of Black leader in front of a live audience.

The former Aleister Black in WWE, he would likely have a path back to the company if his contract is up. His wife, Zelina Vega, works for the company and during his time with NXT, he represented the brand as its champion.