Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Cody Rhodes, Ronda Rousey and More

What can fans expect from Cody Rhodes when he returns from the beating dealt to him by his WrestleMania 42 opponent and former friend, Randy Orton?

The answer to that question headlines this collection of pro wrestling rumors, which also includes the latest on Ronda Rousey's AEW Revolution appearance, a potential celebrity appearance at The Showcase of the Immortals, and a world champion who recently received a preemptive new contract.

Dive deeper into each of those topics with these reports from the most trusted industry insiders.

Cody Rhodes Character Change

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The last time fans saw undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes, he was on the receiving end of a brutal battering courtesy of Randy Orton.

Ibou of Self Made Pro reported that when The American Nightmare returns to television, there will be an added edge to his on-screen persona as he looks to combat The Viper's return to his darker, more sadistic heel persona.

It is a necessary alteration for a character that has experienced his fair share of boos of late, due to increasing fatigue with his babyface persona.

Rhodes should have more of an edge. He should be fired up about his friend and former mentor beating the life out of him unexpectedly and without good reason.

If he came back from his hiatus and was the same Rhodes as he was before it, it would render the entire angle null and void, and douse the WrestleMania main event with ice-cold water.

Returning with more edge and a thirst for revenge is exactly what Rhodes needs to reestablish a connection with a section of the audience that has grown tired of his main event run and wants Orton to leave Vegas with the top prize in WWE.

Ronda Rousey and AEW Update

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Ronda Rousey's appearance at AEW Revolution was one of the more shocking moments of that event.

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider Elite, though, it was one-and-done for The Baddest Woman on the Planet.

Rousey appeared moments after "Timeless" Toni Storm defeated her longtime friend, Marina Shafir, calling out the biggest star in the AEW women's division, only for it to go nowhere.

Still, it was a big moment for All Elite Wrestling as Rousey still carries considerable star power and the moment became a hit across social media. More importantly, it opens the door for the former UFC champion to appear with the promotion if and when it wants to do business with her again.

Rousey will return to MMA on May 16 when she faces Gina Carano in a live Netflix special presentation.

Celebrity Update for WrestleMania

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BodySlam+ on Patreon reported that, following his appearance Monday night on Raw, "discussions have taken place regarding iShowSpeed making an appearance at WrestleMania this year."

The YouTuber has made numerous appearances on WWE television, most notably at the 2025 Royal Rumble, where he was taken out by Bron Breakker with a spear.

Monday, he encountered Danhausen and found himself on the receiving end of a curse.

iShowSpeed has over 50 million subscribers on his YouTube channel alone, so it makes sense that WWE would want to capitalize on his popularity by featuring him on its shows. His fun, mostly inoffensive presentation has helped ease any frustration or dismay traditional fans may have about his celebrity involvement.

Hopefully, that will remain the case, especially on a card as important as WrestleMania, where any creative misstep will be judged even more harshly than usual.

AEW Inks Champion to New Deal

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that reigning AEW women's champion Thekla has inked a new deal with the company:

"We're told that Thekla had originally signed a two-year contract with AEW upon making the jump from Japan. However, AEW was so happy with her performance, they made the move to sign her to a new, multi-year deal not even a full year into the original deal."

Thekla has become the centerpiece of the women's division and repeatedly performed up to the moment. She has lived up to the hype between the ropes and has carried herself like a star in promos and backstage vignettes.

A captivating performer, she has won over management in short order and was rewarded in kind, ensuring The Toxic Spider is going nowhere anytime soon.