Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan and More

Ahead of WWE Backlash on Saturday, the pro wrestling rumor mill is churning out insider reports about the biggest and brightest stars in WWE, including a top-tier babyface missing in action since WrestleMania.

What is the latest on Cody Rhodes, when might fans expect Liv Morgan back, and which former champion is on their way back to All Elite Wrestling television?

Find out with the latest from the industry's most trusted insiders.

Cody Rhodes to Appear at Backlash?

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Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported there was a pitch for Cody Rhodes to return at Backlash, but it's not 100 percent certain that is the direction at this time.

The American Nightmare has been absent from TV since losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 41 on April 20.

Cena defends his title against Randy Orton in St. Louis on Saturday and given Rhodes' history with both competitors, it makes sense that he would return to WWE and attempt to avoid the screwy loss to Cena from The Showcase of the Immortals.

Given the show has been booked and marketed around hometown hero Orton, though, perhaps it's best if the creative sticks to him and saves Rhodes' return for SmackDown, which can be promoted as his first appearance since 'Mania.

Regardless of how and when it happens, it appears The American Nightmare is on his way back to a show that, frankly, could use its most prominent babyface and a company missing its QB1.

Liv Morgan Update

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Women's tag team champion Liv Morgan is away filming Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo but do not expect the star to be absent from WWE television for too long.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported: "As of now, the wrap date for her is May 16, with her planned to return to the United States on May 17. We've not learned when she will return to WWE TV. She will miss at minimum of one more episode of Raw as things stand."

That is a positive for WWE Creative in that Morgan is key to two areas of the roster.

First, she is a women's tag team champion with Raquel Rodriguez and those titles, which are already haphazardly booked anyway, will need to remain present on television if there is any chance of them building any kind of momentum.

Secondly, she has been at the center of the tension within The Judgment Day, a manipulative force driving a wedge between the group and its leader, Finn Bálor.

For that storyline to advance, she must continue to give Dominik Mysterio the pushes necessary to assume that leadership and kick the Irishman to the curb, which appears to be the direction things are headed.

The high-profile role coupled with the short time away is double the good news for WWE and Morgan, who has become one of the company's most over stars since her banner year in 2024.

Juice Robinson Update

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The most unpredictable member of the Bang Bang Gang may be on his way back to AEW sooner rather than later.

Sapp reported that Juice Robinson is "relatively close" to a return to the company and has been healthy for over a month.

The former IWGP United States champion and group member alongside Jay White and Austin and Colton Gunn has been sidelined since last November, when he suffered a broken fibula during the Continental Classic tournament.

A talented in-ring performer with an enormous personality that jumps off the screen, it will be interesting to see how he is inserted back into television given the injuries to the Gunns and White.

It may be a blessing in disguise if anything, as Robinson will have his first real opportunity to be a singles star on his own, without any allegiance or alliance.

Could he finally achieve the stardom that some have predicted since he signed with AEW?

Reason Logan Paul Attacked Jey Uso Off-Air

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After the electric main event of Monday's Raw on Netflix, WWE posted a video to social media of Logan Paul coming from out of nowhere to lay out Jey Uso and continue their rivalry for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Understandably, some wondered why that had been saved for social media instead of the live event. Wrestling Observer Radio reported that it was intended to surprise fans and the company thought it would be better served on social media instead of the global broadcast.

The only way that makes any sense is if the company recognized how hot a finish it had planned for Raw and decided the Paul angle would only cheapen it. If that was the thinking, it was worth saving it.

If that just happened to be the result and WWE genuinely thought it would be better utilized on social media before that, it was a silly move that lessened the impact of Paul delivering another cheap shot as he continues his pursuit of Raw's most coveted prize.