WWE Rumors on Bayley's Future Amid Contract Buzz, Cody Rhodes Warns Tom Brady, MJF Injury Update

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe and All Elite Wrestling.

Latest on Bayley's WWE Future

The biggest story being tracked this week revolves around Bayley and the uncertainty about her future in WWE with her contract reportedly set to expire in the near-future.

Per Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News), there was a belief among those backstage in WWE prior to last week's Saturday Night's Main Event show that Bayley's match with Lyra Valkyria was her final bout at Madison Square Garden.

This would seem to indicate they anticipate Bayley not re-signing because it has been suggested, though never officially confirmed, that MSG officials don't want to book AEW for a show and risk making WWE unhappy since WWE and MSG have a longstanding relationship.

One person who might have some insight into Bayley's thought process is Mercedes Moné, who got the wheels spinning on this whole thing a few weeks ago by dropping an image teasing a match with her longtime friend at the AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view that takes place in October.

WWE did a finish that allows for the possibility of Bayley returning after time off or as a way to write her out if she doesn't re-sign. She lost clean after passing out from a sleeper hold, then Valkyria laid her out afterward with a nightwing on the steel steps.

Meltzer previously said Bayley's current deal expires "in a couple months." Fightful Select also cited one agent who said she should test free agency and could "reshape" how top stars handle contract talks with WWE going forward.

WWE's contract structure became a talking point in the spring when several talents were released, with some reportedly being asked to take a 50 percent pay cut to avoid being let go.

All of this does put Bayley in a great negotiating position to make a lot of money on her next contract, whether it is from WWE or AEW. She would almost certainly do great no matter where she ends because she's terrific in the ring and seems capable of working with anyone regardless of style.

Cody Rhodes' Warning to Tom Brady

Tom Brady and Logan Paul running an angle last week at Fanatics Fest and the World Cup final has caught the attention of Cody Rhodes, who shared some words of wisdom (warning?) to the legendary NFL quarterback.

Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (h/t Upton), Rhodes told Brady to stay out of his business given the track record of celebrities involving themselves in the American Nightmare's feuds:

"Here's my warning. Tom doesn't need a warning. He's a super athlete. But a lot of the celebrities and people who want to cross into wrestling, and we do some sort of merging of worlds, I feel like they always get involved in my stuff. You know? Like… Travis Scott, Pat McAfee. They always get right in on what I'm doing. If you come in, you don't… you can pick other people to mess with. You can."

Brady and Paul shared the stage at Fanatics Fest in New York on July 17 that ended with the seven-time Super Bowl champion slapping the WWE superstar.

It's unclear where the Brady-Paul beef will lead, but WrestleMania 43 taking place in Saudi Arabia and Brady's business relationship with government officials in the country could reasonably be expected to result in something on the show.

That's a long runway to pay off the storyline since WrestleMania isn't until April. If Brady doesn't want to wait that long to appear on WWE television, Rhodes did suggest on the Tonight Show he could show up at SummerSlam and give CM Punk "a nice open chop right on the chest" during their undisputed WWE title match.

Tony Khan Addresses MJF's Redemption Absence

Having been off television since losing the AEW world championship to Kenny Omega on the July 8 episode of Dynamite, MJF's absence and not being on the Redemption card has been addressed by Tony Khan.

Speaking to reporters during a media call for Sunday's pay-per-view (h/t Derek Holloway of Ringside News), Khan explained MJF has taken time off due to "major injuries" he was dealing with.

The exact injuries MJF has wasn't specified, though it was known he hyperextended his knee during a title defense against Rush on the June 3 episode of Dynamite.

MJF continued to work after that, wrestling four matches and culminating with his bout against Omega. It was assumed the Omega match was going to take place on the pay-per-view, but AEW moved it up two weeks to happen on television.

Even though that has led to a bit of a rushed card being put together for Redemption, it did give MJF an opportunity to recover with AEW set to put the pedal to the floor with the build to All In after Sunday's show.