Buy or Sell AJ Styles Contract Rumors, Backstage Criticism on WWE Evolution and More

The WWE rumor mill manages to ramp up for the holidays, even in the middle of summer when it feels like all the big events have passed and the calendar calls for a lull. 

At this point, how could it not? Speculation and buzz continue to abound around the incoming all-women’s PLE Evolution 2. 

And creeping up quickly in the background? Rumblings about who, what and why might unfold at SummerSlam, which is usually the second-biggest event of the year outright. 

Feel free to tack on the standard, weekly whispers about backstage noise, booking decisions and even contract rumors for big names, too, and there’s a potent brew for fans to absorb. 

As such, here’s a look at the must-know rumors and buzz and whether fans should buy or sell on each.

Travis Scott Backlash Changed Plans

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The Rumor

The buzz around Travis Scott (and R-Truth) won’t go away. According to WrestleVotes (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), WWE changed creative plans at Money in the Bank, especially due to backlash around R-Truth’s release. 

Reaction

From the sounds of speculation and now reporting, WWE had some tentative Scott plans in place around MITB and perhaps John Cena in general. Instead, Cena too took part in the tag match with Logan Paul, losing to Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. 

Buy or Sell?

Buy. WWE had to hear the fan response to Scott’s involvement in WrestleMania and otherwise, not just the R-Truth contract situation. To their credit, the shows and stories have probably been better for it. 

WWE’s Next Celebrity Performer is….

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The Rumor

…Jelly Roll? According to WrestleVotes, some in WWE think the musician’s upcoming appearance could “be the start of something more” this summer. 

Reaction

Going from Scott to Jelly Roll would certainly be a choice. He’s scheduled to appear on the July 11 episode of SmackDown, so fans won’t have to wait all that long to find out if some sort of program gets teased. 

Buy or Sell?

Let’s sell on Jelly Roll getting some sort of match or anything beyond a simple backstage promo or even musical performance. Exiting the Scott drama, it’s hard to imagine it’s anything major, especially on a stage as big as SummerSlam.

AJ Styles Contract Update

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The Rumor

AJ Styles is the latest name front and center in the contract speculation department. According to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp (h/t Ortman), Styles “quietly” signed a one-year extension. 

Reaction

No word from the report on when this actually happened. But considering Styles just turned 48 years old last month, it stands to reason that both parties would opt for short-term contracts at this point.

Buy or Sell?

Buy. While it’s hard to say if Styles will head for retirement anytime soon, he’s still involved in key programs and around the main-event scene, last showing up in a major Money in the Bank qualifier. It should go without saying, but WWE wouldn’t want to lose him to competition at this point, either. 

Evolution 2 Drama?

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The Rumor

About Evolution 2. According to Sapp (h/t Ortman), there is backstage criticism in WWE about running the women’s event up against AEW’s All In and near both a Beyoncé concert and MLB All-Star events. 

Reaction

Nowadays, finding a weekend without competition for an event is tough. Perhaps more interesting from the report is a line about some backstage feeling like the show has been “hastily produced” so far. 

Buy or Sell?

Buy on the commentary about the event’s production. To WWE’s credit, though, the whole thing probably received a huge curveball in the form of Liv Morgan’s recent injury. Now, WWE’s in overdrive attempting to change plans while also potentially locking in part-timers, if not big surprises. 

Britt Baker Contract Speculation

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The Rumor

Speaking of big surprises at Evolution 2, how about Britt Baker? BodySlam.net (h/t Ortman), at least, has suggested that Baker is looking for ways to leave AEW. Sapp countered, though, as did PWInsider. 

Reaction

Is this a smoke and fire situation? Baker hasn’t been in a televised match since November of last year and names like Toni Storm have since taken over the women’s division. That said, Sapp noted that injury time tacked on to the back of her contract could mean she’s still in AEW for a year-plus. 

Buy or Sell?

It wouldn’t be too much of a reach to buy on Baker attempting to leave right now. As fans have seen in the past with AEW, though, the ability for a company/contract to tack on time due to injuries remains possible. Baker and AEW, at least to outsiders, though, feels like a done thing.