Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Je'Von Evans, Joe Hendry and More

Je'Von Evans had a coming-of-age match Monday night on WWE Raw against Gunther, showcasing his talents for the world to see.

The fans inside Madison Square Garden were not the only ones impressed with The Young OG, though, as one of the top stars in the industry is also reportedly high on the 21-year-old.

That topic headlines this collection of insider reports, which also features the latest on Joe Hendry's contractual status with WWE, an update on SmackDown's run time, and news on a promising young team's status with All Elite Wrestling.

John Cena High On NXT Standout

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Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Live reported that, based on his own visit to NXT and recent praise from Sheamus following a match between the two of them, John Cena is high on Je'Von Evans.

It is not difficult to see why, either, particularly after Monday's Raw, where The Young OG pushed the returning Gunther to the brink.

Evans showed out against the former world heavyweight champion, nearly upsetting him at one point before succumbing to the sleeper.

Add to that a Match of the Year candidate at TNA Bound For Glory against X-Division champion Leon Slater, an on-air partnership with him and an upcoming appearance for AAA, and you have a young competitor poised to become the future of professional wrestling for the foreseeable future.

Evans is likely not long for NXT, especially after passing tests against Sheamus and Gunther, two immensely respected in-ring competitors and standard-bearers for in-ring performance.

When the time comes to make the jump to the main roster, one can only hope the creative team is prepared to continue his rise and does not let him wilt as it did with Carmelo Hayes for the first year of his run on SmackDown.

Update on Joe Hendry's WWE Contract

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Former TNA world champion Joe Hendry is not only a full-time WWE competitor now, but he is also under a main roster deal, despite primarily performing for NXT, according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select.

"Well, he's on a main roster level deal from what I understand. By that, I mean making above the main roster minimum," he wrote.

Hendry has already competed at WrestleMania, losing a brief match-up to Randy Orton, and is a proven merchandise mover and social media superstar. It is not surprising that WWE would want to secure his services and if that means paying him main roster money, so be it.

It is only a matter of time, anyway, before current NXT champion Ricky Starks, North American champion Ethan Page, and former titleholder Oba Femi all make the jump to Raw and SmackDown. The brand will need to restock its top stars and Henry figures to be one of them.

A competitor beloved by fans for his enormous personality, he fits in WWE and will be an asset to the company, regardless of his level. His work and dedication throughout Europe, to TNA and now NXT earned him the reported payday.

SmackDown Staying 3 Hours Permanently?

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Alvarez also reported on Wrestling Observer Live that, following a recent report indicating SmackDown would return to three hours on Friday nights, the show will revert to two hours after six months.

It is still not ideal, given how hard to watch some of those three-hour shows were, not to mention how creatively bankrupt the blue brand has been as a whole lately.

Still, it is at least a silver lining that the show will not be the unbearable marathon it was earlier in 2025.

Another positive is the potential spotlight it gives names who may not have been able to consistently make the two-hour broadcast due to the emphasis on more prominent talent.

We saw the SmackDown tag team division get a ton of weekly attention during that first stint at three hours. With the reemergence of Carmelo Hayes, the rise of Aleister Black, and others, the show has the potential to be markedly better than what we were treated to previously.

Update on Maya World, Hyan, and AEW

Sapp also reported Maya World and Hyan's recent eight-minute match on Collision against Alex Windsor and Riho was due to them stepping in for Nixon Newell and Miranda Alize, who opted not to appear on the show a week earlier.

"Those we spoke to in AEW say it was a direct result of how well they handled the prior week," Sapp wrote.

He added: "It was confirmed to Fightful that Maya World and Hyan are not signed by All Elite Wrestling, but it was claimed that the company has had heavy interest in using them moving forward. AEW sources we spoke to said that they wouldn't be surprised to see the duo under contract sooner than later."

World has often cited Mercedes Moné as an inspiration, while Hyan first made headlines as one of the breakout stars of Booker T's Reality of Wrestling promotion in Texas. Both have competed in the independents for years.

It is a textbook case of two young performers seizing an opportunity, leaving a good impression and being invited back, with the possibility of more work and the potential for a contract.

You love to see it.