Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Roman Reigns, Lola Vice and More

The beginning of the new year brings with it the arrival of WrestleMania season and the start of top stories featuring the biggest stars in the industry, such as Roman Reigns.

The OTC headlines this collection of pro wrestling rumors from the industry's top insiders, also featuring another NXT name potentially being called up to the main roster, a health update on an AEW star, and a new memoir from a Hall of Famer.

Roman Reigns Update

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Ibou of Self Made reported that Roman Reigns will be making appearances on Smackdown upon his return to WWE TV.

If that does happen, it would seem to indicate a major WrestleMania 42 program with Cody Rhodes, which was teased in the closing moments of Survivor Series: WarGames, could be on the horizon.

At the final PLE of 2025, Reigns helped world heavyweight champion CM Punk to his feet before staring down Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Championship, suggesting he wants the belt back.

It is certainly a massive match around which the biggest show of the year can be built. Reigns and Rhodes previously headlined The Showcase of the Immortals in two critically acclaimed matches.

A rubber match in the series would draw significant interest, especially if the creative behind it is as strong as it was previously.

If the direction is not Reigns vs. Rhodes, one would be hard-pressed to immediately recognize another reason why The Tribal Chief would be returning to the blue brand with the Road to WrestleMania upon us.

Is Lola Vice Main Roster-Bound?

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BodySlam+ reported Lola Vice is the latest NXT star being discussed for a main roster call-up.

The former MMA fighter has developed into a consistent championship contender with the brand and, short of winning one of the titles that has eluded her, a move to the main roster is the next logical step.

Vice joins Jacy Jayne as the latest to be rumored to join Raw or SmackDown. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported the NXT women's champion was being considered.

Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans have already joined the main roster while vignettes have aired signaling the arrival of Oba Femi, who relinquished the NXT Championship on Tuesday night.

While such call-ups typically occur after WrestleMania, the arrivals of fresh faces to the main roster shows suggest WWE is looking to inject its product with new blood ahead of the biggest show of the year, thus creating as much intrigue and interest as possible.

Latest on 'Switchblade' Jay White

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Despite making an appearance at Wrestle Kingdom to honor the retiring Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jay White's return to All Elite Wrestling is not imminent, Sapp reported for Fightful Select.

"White sustained a hand injury in 2025, and also went ahead and had a much needed shoulder surgery. Immediately upon the surgery, White was sidelined for the remainder of the year," he wrote.

He added that AEW sources "quickly clarified that White is not cleared for an in-ring return, and isn't expected to be imminently. White is also not factored into creative plans any time soon."

The former IWGP heavyweight champion and AEW World Trios champion was last seen on the March 25 episode of Collision, where he defeated Kevin Knight.

White is a star whose true potential in AEW still feels relatively untapped. If there is a silver lining to his long absence, it's that a return will allow him to reestablish himself and rediscover his momentum. Perhaps then, he can go on the headlining run that has eluded him to this point.

A New Memoir from Adam Copeland

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In 2004, WWE released the first autobiography from Adam "Edge" Copeland, titled Adam Copeland on Edge. It appears the WWE Hall of Famer and current AEW star may be back on bookshelves by the end of 2026.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider Elite reported a new autobiography from the 52-year-old is expected to hit shelves this October from HarperCollins.

There will be plenty for Copeland to write about in his new book, including everything that happened following his return from a serious neck injury, his reigns as WWE and world heavyweight champion, his retirement and comeback, as well as leaving the only company he ever knew to continue his career with AEW.