Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on The Rock, Will Ospreay and More
As WWE SummerSlam draws near, rumors surrounding the annual spectacular continue to dominate headlines, with The Rock taking center stage just over a week out from the company taking over MetLife Stadium.
What is the latest on The Final Boss and his potential role at the show, what matches might fans see that have yet to be announced, and which All Elite Wrestling star is facing a recovery from a significant injury?
Find out with this collection of insider reports.
Update on The Rock's Involvement at SummerSlam
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Bodyslam.net reported: "Internal sources stated that there is no indication that The Rock is scheduled to return in the near future, meaning he will most likely be absent at the upcoming SummerSlam premium live event."
The Final Boss has not been seen on WWE programming since his role in the shocking heel turn from John Cena at Elimination Chamber on March 1.
Despite lofty expectations he would make his presence felt at WrestleMania 41 amid the ongoing rivalry between Cena and Cody Rhodes, The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment did not appear.
Considering how fresh that red-hot angle was in the minds of fans, that was the time for him to make an appearance. Instead, we are nearly six months removed from it and popping back up now would only serve to remind fans he was not around when the story needed him most.
The Rock told Pat McAfee after this year's Showcase of the Immortals that he figured the best thing for Cena was for The Final Boss to step aside because WWE could always come back to it.
Several months into Cena's heel run, which has underwhelmed in comparison to the molten heat it started with, it's safe to say that was not the case.
Unless the plan is for Cody Rhodes to sell his soul and align with The Rock at SummerSlam amid mounting pressure to regain the Undisputed WWE Championship, thus righting the wrong of Cena's turn, there is no real need for The Great One to appear at MetLife Stadium on August 2-3.
Will Ospreay's Legit Neck Injury
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Dave Meltzer reported that Will Ospreay's neck injury is legitimate.
The Aerial Assassin announced on Wednesday's AEW Dynamite he has two herniated discs in his neck. Despite this, he is hopeful he can return in time for Forbidden Door.
Ospreay has been a workhorse for AEW over the last year, regularly appearing on television and pay-per-view despite long travel from England. And he has routinely provided some of the most physical matchups on any show.
One of the best on the planet at what he does, his in-ring contributions will be missed by AEW the longer he is out.
AEW Forbidden Door emanates from the O2 Arena in Ospreay's hometown of London on Sunday, August 24.
SummerSlam Main Event Updates
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Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reported CM Punk vs. Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship is expected to main-event Night 1 of SummerSlam while John Cena will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on Night 2.
From a star-power perspective, only Roman Reigns and Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed could possibly touch them.
Punk's journey back to the world title has been an arduous one, dotted with personal feuds against the likes of Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins. Meanwhile, Gunther will look to add The Best in the World's name to a mix of recent victims that includes Jey Uso, Pat McAfee and Goldberg.
Cena vs. Rhodes II is a match that will need to improve on its unremarkable original from WrestleMania 41 in April, when an unnaturally long run-in from rapper Travis Scott and a creatively bankrupt finish hurt the overall quality.
Still, Rhodes and Cena are two of the biggest stars in the industry and their rematch will draw interest.
TLC at SummerSlam?
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Wrestling Observer Radio reported a six-team Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match was considered for SummerSlam at one point, but there is uncertainty about it now.
WWE last produced a TLC match on the April 25 episode of SmackDown, which saw The Street Profits outlast Motor City Machine Guns and DIY to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship.
The report did not specify which titles would be at stake but considering the many moving pieces on SmackDown, such as the Profits, Machine Guns, DIY, Wyatt Sicks, Fraxiom and the team of Andrade and Rey Fenix, there are certainly enough duos to make that contest a reality.
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