Backstage WWE Rumors on Oba Femi, Gunther and Maxxine Dupri

With SummerSlam rapidly approaching, the WWE rumor mill is firing on all cylinders, with reports of potential match-ups dominating the headlines.

Oba Femi gave up his world title opportunity to battle Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell at the show, but when might he get his championship shot?

What will Gunther be doing in Minneapolis and why might it surprise you?

What happened to Maxxine Dupri's push from last year?

Find out the answer to those questions in this collection of insider reports.

What Does the Future Hold for Oba Femi?

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Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reported that WWE's current plan is for Oba Femi to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 43, noting that the match is too big for SummerSlam.

Femi won the 2026 King of the Ring tournament, thus earning a guaranteed championship opportunity. The Ruler appeared to give up that title match Monday on Raw in favor of a Hell in a Cell contest against Brock Lesnar, sparking discourse across social media about the logic behind having Femi win the tournament in the first place.

Those arguing against the creative decision have a point. If the goal is for Femi to challenge at WrestleMania, why not have him win the men's Royal Rumble instead, and have Seth Rollins, who will challenge Reigns, win the King of the Ring?

Especially since The Architect was in the tournament field.

Regardless, Femi vs. Reigns is a big-time match that WWE can hype up for next April's 'Mania in Saudi Arabia. The question is whether it can keep the former NXT world champion hot long enough to get to that battle and have it still mean as much as it does now.

Nick Aldis Returning to the Ring

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Meltzer also reported that one of the matches currently planned for SummerSlam is SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis vs. Gunther.

The former NWA world champion responded to The Ring General poking him twice and putting his hands on him, resulting in a tense pull-apart backstage during the Night of Champions post-game show. Both men were sent home, and it was announced that Raw general manager Adam Pearce would handle running both shows.

Aldis is a more-than-accomplished wrestler, having held world titles in both NWA and TNA. He most famously defended the former against Cody Rhodes at the inaugural All In, in what was the most anticipated match of that historic card.

The 39-year-old appears to have stayed in shape and if he can knock off any ring rust, he should be able to deliver a banger of a match against one of the best workers in the world.

Maxxine Dupri Push Update

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Finally, Meltzer reported that the reason Maxxine Dupri's push fizzled out was that she was not getting the desired reactions for her matches.

Still, if Monday's Raw is any indication, the company still intends to utilize her in a way that keeps her on screen, after she appeared in three segments on the show.

First, she apologized to Chad Gable for the delivery of her valid issues with him. Then, she squared off with Raquel Rodriguez for a shot at the Women's Intercontinental Championship. Finally, she took criticism from Austin Theory for apologizing to Gable.

It remains to be seen what direction she takes next, but it is highly unlikely she fades into obscurity, at least based on how present she was on Monday's Raw.