Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Asuka, Britt Baker and More

Amid a busy push toward a loaded summer in WWE and on the heels of a critically acclaimed AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view, the pro wrestling rumor mill continues to churn out reports from the industry's top insiders.

An update on the return of a future Hall of Famer, the latest on the return of the Evolution premium live event and the contractual status of one of the original pillars of All Elite Wrestling make up this collection of rumors.

Latest on Asuka's WWE Return

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Future WWE Hall of Famer and former women's champion Asuka remains sidelined due to injury.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported: "We’re told that when Asuka was injured, WWE was pretty sure she’d miss the rest of 2024, and the 2025 WrestleMania. When Fightful asked about Asuka’s status ahead of WrestleMania, we’re told that there wasn’t serious consideration for her as she was still injured."

He added: "We have heard that creative ideas for her eventual return were discussed in recent months, but that it wasn't 'imminent.'"

The Empress of Tomorrow has not appeared on WWE television since the May 4, 2024 Backlash pay-per-view in France, when she and longtime partner Kairi Sane lost the women's tag team titles to Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill.

The latest report is somewhat disappointing given the emphasis on the women's division of late and the upcoming return of the all-female Evolution PPV, where Asuka would have been a featured star given her resume and stature within the company.

Here is hoping for a speedy return as future matches with new faces such as Jordynne Grace, Stephanie Vaquer, Roxanne Perez and Jordynne Grace will only excite fans and strengthen what is shaping up to be the best women's division WWE has ever had.

Speaking of those competitors...

WWE Draft Update

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Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Obsever Radio reported there were talks of holding the WWE draft during the company's string of Tampa shows this past week, but those never came to fruition.

He noted that had the draft occurred, recent call-ups of Perez, Giulia and Fraxiom, and the impending arrivals to the main roster of Grace and Vaquer, would have been saved for that event.

Instead, we have already seen the former three make their presence felt on main roster programming in big ways while Vaquer and Grace should be popping up on Raw and SmackDown, respectively, anytime now.

Regardless of how and when the talent infusion started, all are poised to have significant impacts on their respective divisions and shows, exactly what fans hope for at this post-WrestleMania time of the year.

Latest on Evolution 2

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Women's wrestling is red-hot in WWE so the company's decision to bring back its Evolution premium live event, an all-women's-wrestling show, makes sense.

During a WrestleBinge Q&A, WrestleVotes reported that "any talent" outside of a few companies, will be asked if they want to participate in the event.

The question was in response to a query about AAA talent appearing on the show.

Given the current WWE regime's willingness to work with promoters and talent outside of the company's walls, as we have witnessed with its working relationship with TNA Wrestling, it makes sense that it would be open to working with names from other promotions for an event of that magnitude.

Whether anyone takes WWE up on the offer, or if the company opts to simply focus on the expansive roster of women it already has under contract, remains to be seen.

How Long is Britt Baker Under Contract with AEW?

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Sapp reported Britt Baker signed a five-year deal with AEW in 2021 and could have injury time added to extend it beyond that.

The 34-year-old has not appeared on AEW television since November 13, 2024 and has wrestled just five matches with the promotion since the previous July.

Injuries sidelined Baker while other, inconsistent appearances have hampered her ability to gain traction and be involved in championship matches and top storylines, especially as the women's division has grown from an in-ring perspective.

One of the original stars of AEW, she was the long-time face of the division but the more she disappears from television, the more it appears the division has passed her by.