Latest WWE Rumors on AJ Lee and More Ahead of Historic Raw on Netflix Anniversary Show

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

AJ Lee's Reported Full-Time Status Update

It's been quite some time since AJ Lee has been seen in WWE, so many have been wondering about her reported full-time status.

In September, a report from BodySlam.net stated that Lee had signed a multi-year, full-time contract with WWE, and that the company was "investing in her as a cornerstone of the division again." (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News)

However, it now sounds like that was never the case for Lee, as Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp revealed during a recent Q&A that she was not expected to be a full-time performer.

"That's why when AJ Lee came back and people reported, 'Oh, she's back and it's full-time,' I think—back in December—I was like, well, hold on. That is not what is being relayed to me," Sapp said (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News). "Which doesn't mean that it's not true… but this was very clearly not going to be a full-time run."

Sapp noted that reports of a potential WrestleMania match between Lee and Becky Lynch weren't totally inaccurate, but with the event still months away, there was no chance the 38-year-old would've been able to build up to that match with a full-time schedule.

"She's done two matches since she came back in—what was it, September or something? And when it was hinted at me, 'Oh, well, she'll probably be facing Becky at Mania'—and that's a probably, it's not worth reporting—but I was looking at it and I was like, well, how on Earth are they going to stretch that out seven months if she's full-time? Well, she's not full-time. That's why," Sapp added. "... I haven't heard that definitively, but that's the match that everyone I've talked to felt like would be the match."

The road to WrestleMania officially kicks off with the Royal Rumble later this month, so perhaps that would be the perfect opportunity for Lee to return and reignite her feud with Lynch.

Tommaso Ciampa Contract Update

Former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa reportedly is expected to be a free agent soon.

A report from BodySlam.net revealed that Ciampa is not expected to renew his contract with WWE, stating that the 40-year-old is "finishing his time up with the company without a renewal." (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News)

While Ciampa is a popular performer who could generate interest from other companies, the report noted that it's not yet clear whether he plans to sign with another promotion or take a break from wrestling.

Ciampa hasn't appeared in WWE since the Dec. 19 episode of SmackDown when he teamed with his DIY tag partner Johnny Gargano in a loss against Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes. Gargano has continued to appear on SmackDown alongside his wife, Candice LeRae.

Ciampa is best known as one of the cornerstones of the famed Black & Gold era of NXT. He signed with WWE in 2015 and formed an acclaimed partnership with Gargano that went on to produce one of the most memorable rivalries in the brand's history. He was one of the best heels in all of pro wrestling at one point, and he overcame multiple devastating injuries to become a main-event performer.

Fans will certainly be hoping that Ciampa continues wrestling, but he could take some time to evaluate his options before deciding on his future.

Chad Gable Returning Soon, El Grande Americano Plans Revealed

Chad Gable is reportedly set to make his return from shoulder surgery soon, but it sounds like that won't mean the end of Ludwig Kaiser's portrayal of El Grande Americano.

A new report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select revealed that WWE is planning to bring Gable back during Royal Rumble week later this month, but Kaiser is expected to continue performing as the masked Superstar.

"Chad Gable is nearing a return, but El Grande Americano never left. Gable is getting closer to a return to the ring, with Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select learning that he's planned to be in Saudi Arabia for Royal Rumble week," the report stated (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News). "Despite this, they've also heard that there is no immediate plan to move Ludwig Kaiser away from the El Grande Americano gimmick."

In addition to Kaiser continuing as El Grande Americano, the report added, "There aren't immediate plans to move Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne from the Rayo and Bravo Americano gimmicks."

Still, it was noted that Gable and the Creed Brothers could be set for a high-profile angle as part of El Grande Americano's ongoing storyline in AAA.

"Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful has heard that there have already been discussions about how to integrate Chad Gable and possibly the Creeds into the angle," the report stated.

It sounds like Gable will be used as a top heel when he returns, so he could have a major impact on the road to WrestleMania.