Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Bronson Reed, Stephanie Vaquer and More

On the heels of WWE's WrestleMania and with AEW's Double or Nothing on the horizon, the pro wrestling rumor mill continues to churn out the latest from industry insiders on top and future stars.

Plans for Bronson Reed upon his return, the health of Stephanie Vaquer and Talla Tonga, and the meteoric rise of Kevin Knight make up this collection of reports.

Latest on Bronson Reed's Return

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Roman Reigns captured the World Heavyweight Championship from CM Punk at WrestleMania, and according to Ibou of Self Made Pro, we know at least one Superstar who will challenge The Tribal Chief during his reign.

Ibou reported that Bronson Reed will be one of The OTC's challengers when he returns from injury.

Reed has been sidelined since suffering a torn biceps on the February 23 episode of Raw, in a Triple Threat Qualifying Match for a spot in the Elimination Chamber.

Auszilla has history with Reigns, defeating the Head of the Table back at Crown Jewel in Australia last October. He could easily come in, call back to that victory, and set up his match as a true threat to the champion.

It would also, potentially, put Reigns on a collision course with Bron Breakker and the rest of The Vision, with whom he has unsettled issues, making it a worthwhile program for all involved at some point in what is likely to be a lengthy return to championship glory for the second-generation star.

Stephanie Vaquer Injury Update

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During Monday's Raw, Stephanie Vaquer suffered a beatdown at the hands of Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez as part of her ongoing rivalry with The Judgment Day and women's world champion Liv Morgan, with Michael Cole claiming on commentary later in the night that La Primera suffered an AC sprain and would be out of action "for a bit."

Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline.com reported that the injury is legit, but there is no word on when it occurred.

It would make sense if it occurred before WrestleMania, hence the six-minute run time for her Women's World Championship defense against Morgan, the lack of in-ring competition for the month before it, and the lack of physicality from her on the Raw After Mania, when she understandably would have been looking to avenge her loss at the Show of Shows.

For Vaquer's sake, as well as that of the Raw women's division, one can only hope the former champion is back in action sooner rather than later. Even more so when factoring how important she is to helping the overall strength and quality of Morgan's run with the gold.

Talla Tonga Update

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Vaquer is not the only Superstar suffering from inury as Alvarez also reported that The MFTs' Talla Tonga is out with an undisclosed injury.

While he competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal later in the night, there was a moment in the MFTs' battle with the Wyatt Sicks where Tonga absorbed a dive through the ropes from one of his opponents and immediately clutched his knee.

Regardless of the specificity of the injury itself, Alvarez noted that he is expected back fairly soon, suggesting its severity is not high.

With Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga seemingly ready to feud, it will be interesting to see on which side the rest of the MFTs fall and whether the big man will have Sikoa's back or his brother's.

Kevin Knight is a Priority for AEW

All Elite Wrestling

Sean Ross Sapp reported on X that he "Was outright told this week that Kevin Knight is considered a priority in AEW."

It has become apparent in the booking of late, too.

Not only did Knight find himself in a TNT Championship defense against MJF on Wednesday night on Dynamite, but he beat him by using his own underhanded tricks against him.

Add to that Darby Allin declaring him as the next challenger to his AEW world title, and you have a young star who has considerable momentum on his side entering one of the biggest pay-per-view events of the year, Double or Nothing.

Best of all, he has backed it up consistently with his in-ring performances, be it in the match with MJF or his first defense of the title, a win over the Death Riders' Claudio Castagnoli.

A young performer with the tools to thrive at the top of the card in the not-so-distant future, this is the perfect introduction to that spot for someone who has impressed in nearly every outing since his arrival in the company.