Backstage WWE Rumors on Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and More

WWE is entering that all-important portion of its fall schedule, where the plans for WrestleMania begin to take shape. And it's no surprise that two of the most recognizable names in the industry are expected to play a big role.

Pro wrestling's top insiders have the latest on two former world champions, as well as a red-hot invasion angle that appears to be getting started.

Dive deeper into those topics with this collection of rumors from the industry's top reporters.

Latest on Roman Reigns' Return

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The last time we saw Roman Reigns he was on the receiving end of a brutal beatdown by Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed at Clash in Paris, but his recent hiatus from WWE could be coming to an end soon.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported The OTC has wrapped his upcoming appearance in the motion picture Street Fighter and will be free to return to WWE programming when the creative dictates it.

Fightful Select's Sapp cautioned fans, though, that it will not be on Friday's SmackDown.

One would presume Reigns is returning to continue his feud with The Vision and set up a highly anticipated showdown with Breakker, which will go a long way in establishing the second-generation star as a legitimate headliner in WWE.

The endgame is undoubtedly the one-on-one match with Rollins that fans have hoped for since the 2022 Royal Rumble, which could easily headline WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

Regardless, Reigns is a massive star and one whose presence typically elevates the WWE product, so his return will be a welcome one.

Update on TNA Invasion of NXT

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Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that the invasion storyline involving TNA and NXT kicked off Tuesday night and will continue for the long term.

He said of the absence of TNA television tapings after Bound For Glory: "We can't speak to what exactly, but we were told to not be surprised to see something unconventional or different for TNA TV following Bound For Glory. If the shows were at the WWE Performance Center, they wouldn't be listed on ticketing sites as of now."

He added that the NXT presence on WWE main roster shows is expected to ramp up.

It is not particularly surprising that TNA is involved with NXT. There is an existing partnership that has seen numerous stars from the former appearing in the latter, and vice versa. It has been a bit one-sided in terms of star power, but Trick Williams is the TNA champion and the most strongly pushed NXT star.

The recent frustration expressed by TNA stars on social media set the stage for the latest development, too.

What is surprising is Sapp's note about the "accelerated NXT presence on WWE programming."

WWE does have Survivor Series on the horizon, a show synonymous with the WarGames match. Could the main roster, NXT and TNA clash in an inter-promotional showdown?

It would be a match worthy of Petco Park in San Diego.

Even if it is to get the eyes of main roster fans on the NXT stars and that ongoing storyline, it would be a big boost to both the black-and-silver brand and its partner promotion.

Whatever the case may be, it sounds like Tuesday night was just the beginning of the inter-promotional battle for brand supremacy.

Brock Lesnar and WrestleMania 42

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Brock Lesnar is advertised for The Showcase of the Immortals in 2026.

WWE posted a presale graphic on its social media for WrestleMania 42 and The Beast Incarnate is featured alongside the likes of CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.

Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats reported that Lesnar is expected to be in a big match.

That is not particularly surprising given the magnitude of star he is. What is less obvious, though, is where he fits in ongoing storylines.

On the SmackDown before Wrestlepalooza, The Beast told Paul Heyman they needed to talk. The following night at the premium live event, The Oracle did Lesnar's pre-match introduction.

Heyman did not stick around for the match, but it was a hint that the business relationship between Lesnar and his former advocate on-screen is far from done.

Could The Beast be in the World Heavyweight Championship picture as an opponent for Rollins on The Grandest Stage of Them All?

That may not ignite a ton of excitement on the part of fans, but Heyman is a common denominator between the two stars that could well play a factor in setting up the match.

Regardless of who he faces, though, Lesnar appears poised to resume his role as a prizefighter for WWE in the biggest matches the company has to offer.