WWE Rumors on Rey Mysterio's Injury, Street Profits' Future and EVIL Expected to Sign Contract

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

Rey Mysterio Reportedly Injured on Raw

WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio was reportedly injured during his match against Austin Theory on Monday night's episode of Raw.

During a post-match attack angle that saw The Vision go after Mysterio, Penta and Dragon Lee, the referee threw up the "X" signal, which is the universal indicator for an injury.

While the "X" signal has been used in angles over the years, F4WOnline's Bryan Alvarez (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News) reported that Mysterio suffered a legitimate injury.

No other details were provided regarding the nature or severity of Mysterio's injury, so it is unclear if he will be able to compete Saturday at Royal Rumble.

Mysterio, 51, only recently returned from a torn groin that he suffered last April the night before WrestleMania 41.

Rey was supposed to face El Grande Americano on the Grandest Stage of Them All, but he had to be replaced by Rey Fenix due to the injury.

Mysterio missed about seven months of action before returning in November, and he has primarily done battle with members of The Vision since then.

It seemed likely that Mysterio would have been part of the 30-man Royal Rumble match on Saturday, but given his current status, his participation is now very much in question.

Reported Plans for Street Profits' Return to Action

The Street Profits have not made an appearance on WWE programming since October, but there are reportedly plans in place to utilize them in the near future.

According to PWInsider.com (h/t Carrier), WWE is planning to have Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins work some NXT live events this coming weekend.

It is unclear if that means a stint in NXT is on tap for The Street Profits, or if WWE may simply be trying to get them in a rhythm before they return to regular television on SmackDown or Raw.

The Street Profits' absence from WWE in recent months has been shrouded in mystery, but Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News) recently reported that they aren't injured.

Rather, WWE has been attempting to give The Street Profits a creative reset by keeping them out of the spotlight, per Meltzer.

The Street Profits have long been among the top tag teams in WWE, as evidenced by the fact that they are three-time tag team champions on the main roster and one-time NXT tag team champs.

Ford and Dawkins dropped the WWE Tag Team Championships to The Wyatt Sicks back in July, and they fell short in a couple of attempts to regain them.

Now that MFT have beaten The Wyatt Sicks for the titles, it could be the perfect time for The Street Profits to re-enter the fold, as they would be the ideal babyfaces to clash with the hated faction led by Solo Sikoa.

EVIL Reportedly Expected to Join WWE

After primarily competing in New Japan Pro-Wrestling for the first 15 years of his career, EVIL is reportedly set to make the leap to WWE.

According to Meltzer (h/t Carrier), it is expected that EVIL will sign with WWE once his NJPW contract officially expires at the end of January.

The 39-year-old veteran has enjoyed a decorated career in Japan, holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Intercontinental Championship one time each. He is also a four-time NEVER openweight champion, six-time NEVER openweight six-man tag team champion and two-time IWGP tag team champion.

EVIL began his wrestling career under his real name, Takaaki Watanabe, and he used that name during his initial stint with NJPW from 2011 to 2013 and while in Ring of Honor from 2013 to 2015.

Upon returning to NJPW in 2015, he changed his name to EVIL and began to present a much darker and more sinister character.

That type of gimmick has worked well for some in WWE over the years, including The Undertaker, Kane and Bray Wyatt, so it is possible his character will largely carry over from New Japan.

Regardless of his presentation, EVIL is a significant addition for WWE given the success and name recognition he has achieved in his native Japan.