Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Karrion Kross, Darby Allin, and More
WWE and AEW are preparing for a blockbuster summer, each looking to build on early momentum and finish out 2025 strongly.
With major events on the horizon, stars on their way back into the fold and others creating buzz, the pro wrestling rumor mill continues to churn out reports from industry insiders.
Who is at the center of them and what does it mean for everyone involved?
Update on Karrion Kross and Scarlett's WWE Deals
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Karrion Kross rejoined WWE in August 2022 as two of Triple H's first rehires after assuming creative control of the company, signing a three-year deal with pro wrestling's top promotion that would expire this year.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that The Devil You Know's on-screen partner and real-life wife, Scarlett, signed her deal at the same time, meaning her contract would be up in August, too.
While anything can happen, the expectation is that both will be sticking around.
Sapp wrote: "Those we've spoken to in WWE expect that the duo will be staying as Kross has been featured regularly on television, was on a recent PLE and has got new merchandise. No confirmation of a re-signing has occurred."
Had there been no follow-up to Kross' loss to Sami Zayn at Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, there would be at least some hesitation about his future with the company given the hype that went into the contest, only for him to lose his first premium live event singles match since his 2022 series with Drew McIntyre.
Instead, Kross attacked Zayn on Monday's Raw, indicating their issues are far from settled. That would seemingly not be the case if there were questions about him and Scarlett sticking around. After all, WWE is rarely in the business of heating up a Superstar, only to watch them take that momentum elsewhere.
One of the most intriguing pairings on the roster, thanks to a boatload of untapped potential amid disjointed booking, Kross and Scarlett are finally earning the attention they have worked so hard for in backstage vignettes, social media posts and an attention to detail even the most eagle-eyed fan might miss on first glance.
Hopefully, this is the start of a fruitful WWE run that sees both reach a level of stardom hinted at by their success during their days in NXT, when Kross reigned as a two-time NXT champion.
AEW Star Expected Back 'Imminently'
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Darby Allin has not appeared on All Elite Wrestling television at all in 2025 as he accomplished a lifelong goal of scaling to the top of Mount Everest. His absence from the world of professional wrestling may be coming to an end, though.
Sapp reported: "Sources that Fightful Select spoke to believed that Darby would be returning to the company 'imminently,' and said that they would be shocked if he is not involved in AEW All In in some capacity."
He added that the 32-year-old returned from his climb "unscathed" and while he could compete if needed, there had been no indication of creative plans for the former TNT champion.
Allin was last seen as a main protagonist, battling against AEW world champion Jon Moxley and The Death Riders.
With recent creative trends seemingly pointing to at least the possibility of Moxley's reign coming to an end at All In on July 12 against "Hangman" Adam Page, it would make sense for Allin to necessitate that outcome and pick up where he left off in 2024.
Regardless of what he does, expect the unexpected. If Allin has proved anything over the course of his run with AEW, it's that he is wholly and delightfully unpredictable.
What's Going on With Britt Baker and AEW?
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Amid speculation that Britt Baker and AEW may be headed for a divorce, Sapp provided an update on Fightful Select regarding her status with the promotion.
He wrote: "Those that we spoke to familiar with Britt's situation said that the idea of her wanting out of AEW or even communicating that to AEW was 'news to them,' and that they had never heard anything resembling that."
"To be clear, Britt Baker still has well over a year left on her AEW contract. With the possibility of injury time, there's a chance she could be under contract into 2027," Sapp added before emphatically reiterating that point at the end of the report.
The 34-year-old has not completed on television since a November 13, 2024 victory over Penelope Ford. Based on her booking at the time, it appeared a program with Serena Deeb may be up next for the former women's world champion, but that never materialized.
One of the foundational players in AEW early on, injuries, inconsistent creative and backstage drama have caused her to watch from the sidelines as Toni Storm, Mariah May, Willow Nightingale, Mercedes Moné and others have risen to the forefront of the women's division and helped elevate its quality.
Where Baker fits at this point, be it as a heel or babyface, is the question the AEW creative team must answer before even attempting to bring her back into the fold.
WWE Showing Interest In Expiring AEW Contracts
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Bodyslam.net reported WWE has shown interest in signing Danhausen and Private Party amid their expiring AEW contracts.
Danhausen arrived in AEW as one of the hottest independent acts in the business, thanks to a unique character that meshed in-ring skill with comedic timing to create a marketable persona that sold tons of merchandise.
Once there, though, a complete absence of creative timing doomed him early and often, leading to years of frustration with little for him to do on Dynamite or Collision.
Private Party were tag team champions as late as January, when they dropped the gold to The Hurt Syndicate. That uninspired run with the titles, coupled with the complete and utter lack of follow-up, would understandably create a desire to want to explore other options.
Whether either act actually signs with WWE remains to be seen, but the biggest company in the industry will be interested in stars with still untapped potential, so it bears watching.
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