Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Liv Morgan, Britt Baker, and More

As WWE gears up for Evolution on July 13 and AEW prepares for the biggest women's match in its history between "Timeless" Toni Storm and Mercedes Moné at All In on June 28, it's only appropriate that this collection of backstage rumors and insider reports is dominated by some of the top women in professional wrestling.

Liv Morgan's unfortunate shoulder injury and its effect on WWE's creative plans, expectations for Giulia on the SmackDown brand, what Dr. Britt Baker DMD's contractual status is with All Elite Wrestling, and news of a future Hall of Famer backstage at NXT dominate this week's headlines.

Liv Morgan Injury Causing Creative Rewrites

Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images

The unfortunate shoulder injury suffered by Liv Morgan during her match with Kairi Sane on Monday's Raw will require surgery and force her to the sidelines, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported. She is expected to miss "a number of months."

If losing one of the pillars of the red brand over the last year and a central figure in The Judgment Day isn't bad enough, Sapp added: "This is causing a significant creative reshuffling as she was involved in a number of programs."

WrestleVotes seconded that report, saying WWE essentially tore up creative plans for the Evolution premium live event and is starting over.

Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Radio speculated that Nikki Bella, originally advertised for Monday's Raw, was scrapped from the show as a result of Morgan's injury.

Morgan appeared to be on a collision course with the Hall of Famer for a singles match at Evolution. A tag team battle pitting her and Raquel Rodriguez against Nikki and Brie Bella was also a possibility.

A top star for WWE following a career year in 2024, Morgan was also heavily featured in the storyline involving the mounting tension within The Judgment Day, with her mistrust of Finn Bálor and Roxanne Perez hinting at the dissolution of the faction.

Hopefully, her healing is relatively quick and she is able to return to the squared circle sooner rather than later, continuing a fantastic run as one of WWE's workhorses and most over Superstars.

Intriguing Name Backstage at NXT

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Former WWE women's and TNA Knockouts champion Gail Kim was backstage at Tuesday's NXT, Sapp reported for Fightful Select.

"We're told this also isn't the first time she's been there of late," he wrote. "When we asked if she's officially with the company, WWE sources said she isn't as of this moment."

He added: "Gail Kim was fired by TNA Wrestling earlier this year, and was expected to have immediate interest from companies, and had people pushing for her in both AEW and WWE. We have heard that WWE has been interested in bringing her on board since she became available. The company has kept her presence at shows very quiet."

Kim is not only one of the most influential in-ring performers of the last 20 years but she was also an official for TNA, serving as a producer and member of the creative team during her latest stint with the promotion.

Her departure from the company was a genuine shock as she was beloved behind the scenes and a significant part of the success of the company's acclaimed Knockouts division.

If WWE does sign Kim to work with the NXT women's division in a similar role to what she did for her previous employer, it will only benefit what is the best and deepest part of the brand's roster.

Latest on Expectations for Giulia's Main Roster Role

Cooper Neil/WWE via Getty Images

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported that talent backstage in WWE are under the impression Giulia is poised for a big push on SmackDown moving forward (h/t Cageside Seats).

As she should.

The former Stardom wrestler arrived in NXT to significant hype and wasted little time showing the world why she was one of the most coveted free agents of the last handful of years, almost instantly becoming women's champion and sitting atop the division.

A relatively short stint with the developmental brand gave way to a recent arrival on the main roster, where she has already been featured in the women's Money in the Bank ladder match and should be a regular contender for the WWE Women's Championship.

A talented in-ring performer with an abundance of aura, Giulia is a long-term star for WWE's future. Do not be surprised if she is competing for championships in high-profile feuds in short order.

Britt Baker/AEW Update

Jenn Devereaux/Getty Images

Despite a report from Jonathan Coachman on his Behind the Turnbuckle podcast, in which he said former AEW women's champion Britt Baker was on her way to WWE, Sapp clarified for Fightful Select that is not the case.

"To be clear, Britt Baker is under contract to AEW, has not left AEW, and signed a five-year contract in late 2021 that would keep her under contract for well over another year, not including possible injury time added."

Discussing WWE's level of interest in Baker, he added: "A WWE source reached out to Fightful say that they checked and claimed that Baker was always a welcome face when visiting the shows in years past, but they have not discussed her coming to WWE in recent years."

Injuries and several instances of backstage drama surrounding the 34-year-old have led to inconsistent appearances on AEW television since 2023. One of the pillars of the company's early days, it could be argued the growth and evolution of the women's division has somewhat passed her by, despite her undeniable contributions to it during the company's first four or five years.

Where Baker would fit in right now is a valid question and one that Tony Khan and the creative forces would have to entertain before coming up with any potential booking plans for her.

Of which, Sapp noted, there has been no talk recently.