Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Latest on John Cena, Sting, and More

The wrestling world continues to buzz about John Cena and his debut promo as a heel on Monday's WWE Raw.

The franchise babyface-turned-deceitful betrayer headlines this collection of rumors, with a focus on the internal reaction to his segment at Forest National in Brussels, Belgium.

Also included here is the latest on Lex Luger's potential WWE Hall of Fame presenter, a timetable for Eddie Kingston's return to All Elite Wrestling, and the Triple Threat match that is all but a foregone conclusion for WrestleMania 41.

Reception to John Cena's Heel Promo

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported WWE officials were "ecstatic" with the reception John Cena received from the fans in Brussels for his first heel promo.

With a star of that magnitude, who fans in Europe have not had a ton of exposure to in a live television setting, it's easy to see why there could been some concern over the audience's reaction to the veteran fresh off a heel turn.

Instead, the fans in Belgium showed up, showed out and delivered a fantastic atmosphere for one of the most important WWE segments in recent memory.

Sapp wrote: "One WWE source told Fightful that this week's Raw was the 'hottest TV environment' they've experienced, and said that it was a good sign for TV taping there in the future."

WWE has two more Europe-based episodes of the red brand before returning stateside for the final editions of Raw and SmackDown before WrestleMania 41.

Triple Threat Match Planned for WrestleMania 41

WWE/WWE via Getty Images

As if the creative to this point has not been evidence enough, Sapp noted that the plan for WrestleMania 41 is for Rhea Ripley to be added to the Women's World Championship match also involving Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky.

"Ripley and Belair have been planned to be involved in the show together for a number of months," he wrote.

From the moment that The EST of WWE was indirectly involved in Mami dropping the title to Sky, it was apparent that the two would be on a collision course and the new champion would likely be at the center of things as well.

Three women who followed in the footsteps of the Four Horsewomen of NXT and helped continue the revolution in the Raw women's division will now compete on the grandest stage in professional wrestling.

And they will have a chance to join Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch in WWE folklore with a Triple Threat contest to rival the WrestleMania 32 classic.

Could Sting Make An Appearance At The WWE Hall of Fame?

Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

Lex Luger will be inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 ceremony and according to Sapp, company officials are hoping fellow Hall of Famer, Sting, will be the guy to induct him.

He wrote, "We’re not sure if that would require AEW signing off on Sting possibly inducting Luger, but we’re told that WWE was planning to make overtures if they hadn’t already about making that happen. Luger and those close to him did inform WWE that Sting was the preferred choice."

AEW has no real reason to work with WWE, but Sting and Luger have had a career-long friendship and there is no one more appropriate and deserving of the honor inducting The Total Package than the former WCW world champion.

At their cores, both Triple H and Tony Khan are pro wrestling fans and if anyone recognizes the gravity of the situation, it is them. Whether ego, pro wrestling tribalism, or outside forces keep it from happening remains to be seen but hopefully, when Luger takes the stage on April 18, it is Sting greeting him.

Eddie Kingston Return Update

Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported that the expectation is that Eddie Kingston will return sometime this summer.

Kingston has been out of action since last November after suffering a fractured tibia and tears to his ACL and miniscus in a match against Gabe Kidd at New Japan Pro-Wrestling STRONG Resurgence, during which his leg caught a metal guardrail.

Kingston confirmed to Johnson that he recently suffered stomach issues, too, but it was due to stress and medication that he had been given.

One of the more beloved performers in AEW thanks to the raw emotion with which he attacks every match with, the former Continental and Ring of Honor world champion's return is eagerly anticipated by fans of the promotion.