Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Mariah May, Karrion Kross and More
The comings and goings of some of pro wrestling's most notable stars have dominated headlines over the last week, including this collection of WWE and AEW backstage rumors.
From a glamorous arrival in NXT to the contractual status of one of the most buzzed-about stars in professional wrestling, industry insiders have the latest on them and more.
Find out the latest on Mariah May, Karrion Kross, and others with this roundup.
Latest on Mariah May's WWE Debut
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Mariah May made her official WWE debut Tuesday night on NXT, interrupting the women's division segment at the end of the show.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported "at least on WWE's behalf, sources claimed that a very tight circle knew 'officially' that May was on board ahead of time, but the plan for a while has been for her on NXT."
He continued: "May has signed a multi-year contract with WWE, as one would expect after she debuted on NXT. WWE has been moving talent around in anticipation of the move, with a number of NXT talent moving up to the main roster. The specifics of the debut were kept very quiet as to not leak."
Sapp's report also noted All Elite Wrestling was interested in retaining May, that a name change is not out of the question and that she had been expected in NXT due to the number of recent main roster call-ups from the women's division.
The 26-year-old has been one of the breakout stars of the last two years, a performer who entered AEW, engaged in a year-long storyline with "Timeless" Toni Storm that saw both women rise to new heights, competed in a Match of the Year-contending Hollywood Ending and ended her run on seemingly good terms.
As a former influencer for WWE Shop, who would sport the newest merchandise across her social media platforms and is a lifelong fan, it is a rare success story to see her build her star across Japan, in AE, and now have a shot at being a top-tier performer for WWE.
Whether it is with her name or another, history suggests that when given the opportunity, May will run with it.
Karrion Kross Contract Update
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Karrion Kross has been one of the cult favorites of 2025, a Superstar who has ridden a groundswell of support from fans demanding greater opportunity for one of the most engaging performers on the roster.
He is a top merchandise mover, per a report by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, and is receiving noticeably positive reactions whenever he pops up in backstage segments with Sami Zayn.
Kross is also in a contract year, as Sapp reported:
"At the start of June, Fightful inquired with sources close to the situation and close to Kross about an update. Based on what we've heard, WWE has not yet approached Kross about a contract extension or renewal, and we haven't heard if they've indicated interest in doing so."
The report also noted WWE has "been happy to keep talent on television up until they're notified that they'll not be renewed or approached for extension."
We witnessed that recently with R-Truth, who was in a headline match on Saturday Night's Main Event against John Cena before revealing his contract was not being renewed just over a week later.
In Kross' case, it would be a massive error on Triple H's part. Here is a guy who has repeatedly worked to tell his own story, getting over on social media long before any of it was allowed to play out on television.
There was the whole Final Testament slip-up that did not really let the 39-year-old excel at what he is good at, but everything since has won fans over.
An impassioned WrestleMania 41 weekend promo that started with Logan Paul and ended with Kross expressing frustration over his spot in WWE, made others sit up and notice the talent the former NXT champion is, particularly on the mic.
Since then, the fans have let WWE know they want more Kross on television, even as Triple H and Co. have been somewhat stubborn and reluctant to provide it.
Perhaps the contractual status has something to do with it, but of all the Superstars whose deals may or may not be renewed, the company should look to get Kross a deal sooner rather than later because he is exactly the type who can become a bigger star elsewhere than he was ever allowed to be in WWE.
Savio Vega to Appear at Worlds Collide?
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Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported that WWE is bringing Savio Vega to its Worlds Collide event Saturday in Los Angeles (h/t Cageside Seats).
Vega, a star for the company throughout the 1990s, last appeared on WWE programming at Backlash 2023 from Puerto Rico, where he interfered on behalf of Bad Bunny in his match with Damian Priest.
Though he has not competed for the company in nearly three decades, Vega has remained incredibly active throughout the industry, particularly in Puerto Rico, while also making occasional stops in TNA.
Most recently, he captured the heavyweight championship in Three Legacies Wrestling, a central Pennsylvania promotion owned and operated by former WWE star Ricardo Rodriguez.
It remains to be seen what role the 60-year-old may have at Saturday's show, but no one should rule out something physical.
Where's Wardlow?
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Wardlow has been conspicuous in his absence having not appeared on television since March 2024.
Sapp reported: "Wardlow suffered what is believed to be a labrum injury in the spring of 2024. At some point during his hiatus, he was also involved in a car accident. It was made clear to us that the car accident didn’t cause the injury, but made it worse."
He also added that The Wardog landed a television role and that "upon meeting with Tony Khan, all parties agreed that it wouldn’t serve anyone well to just bring him back briefly and take him off again for the TV role."
Once considered to be one of the faces of AEW's future and a potential world champion, Wardlow has suffered from injuries and inconsistent booking, both of which have made him somewhat expendable as the roster has grown over time.
There is still considerable potential for Wardlow, who was among the most over and popular stars in the company at the time of his initial singles push, but it will take a lot of work to get back to the levels he was at when he broke free of MJF's rule and embarked on a singles babyface run.
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