BS Meter on Sami Zayn Injury, John Cena Classic Plans and More WWE Rumors

The pro wrestling rumor mill isn't exactly taking a break in the post-SummerSlam haze. 

Sure, WWE doesn't have landmark events like Money in the Bank and Survivor Series until October and November, respectively. 

But with headline items like Solo Sikoa's ascension and the usual buzz about free agents, company-hopping and so much more going on, there's quite a bit of ground to cover in these supposedly quiet times. 

To help fans keep pace with the wild rumor mill, let's place the must-know rumors on the BS Meter, with 10 being the highest form of unbelievable buzz fans can safely dismiss.

Solo Sikoa buzz

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The Rumor

The Solo Sikoa rise is very real and very not-stopping. According to WRKD Wrestling (h/t Geno Mrosko of Cageside Seats), it's not just fans embracing him, with the backstage reaction to Solo's rise being very positive, too. 

Reaction

How can anyone not love this? Sikoa is 33 and starting to emerge by seeming to genuinely be more himself. And he's doing it at a time when WWE desperately needs new top stars for the long-term next to Oba Femi. 

BS Meter: 1

No reason to doubt this one. There's also no reason to think Sikoa won't keep climbing. He's super funny, an in-ring threat and just easy to cheer for, in a young-Rock sort of way. 

SmackDown changes coming?

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The Rumor

SmackDown might be headed for another change here soon. According to WrestleVotes Radio (h/t Mrosko), the current plan in WWE is for the blue brand to go back to the three-hour runtime early next January. 

Reaction

WWE ebbs and flows in a seasonal way these days with the runtime here. Ramping it back up after the new year to give storylines more breathing room and more wrestlers screentime as they head for WrestleMania makes some sense. 

BS Meter: 1

This making sense doesn't necessarily equal a good thing for fans, considering the runtime can be a drag. Still, SmackDown looks stacked with CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and so many other major names, so it's the premier brand right now and could make it work well enough. 

Sami Zayn injury buzz

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The Rumor

Is Sami Zayn actually injured? According to PW Insider (h/t Cain A. Knight of Cageside Seats), Zayn wasn't exaggerating on SmackDown recently when he talked about dealing with a broken hand. 

Reaction

WWE fans last saw Zayn in a match with the likes of Kevin Owens in that Fatal 4-Way on Night 2 of SummerSlam at the start of August. This on-air reveal by Zayn, then, might really have some backing behind it. 

BS Meter: 1

This would sort of be an odd thing to lie about on television and would help to explain the in-ring absence. Silver lining? There's a bit of a lull in the schedule right now, so Zayn can get right, then perhaps be in the mix around landmark stuff like Money in the Bank soon. 

John Cena Classic update

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The Rumor

Anyone remember the John Cena Classic? The supposed tournament (or whatever it is/will be) is apparently on the docket for some time after Survivor Series, according to PW Insider (h/t Knight). 

Reaction

The John Cena Classic sort-of-reveal got met with some wild backlash right away. The ill-explained supposed upcoming event was going to apparently let fans vote on who advances through tournaments despite the actual in-ring winner. Or something, anyway. 

BS Meter: 10

Hard to buy this one. It's also hard to think WWE has any real plans to do this thing, except for the fact that it was announced at all. John Cena himself has said as recently as a few months ago that they're still trying to figure it out. The rushed-feeling announcement of the event probably won't lead to anything meaningful until there's a spot in the schedule where it would actually make sense to use it for a storyline. So, maybe not in 2026 at all. 

Ilja Dragunov update

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The Rumor

A return here almost happened? According to False Finish (h/t Knight), Ilja Dragunov and WWE were close to a deal for a post-SummerSlam return before he decided he wasn't interested. 

Reaction

This might not be the last time in 2026 that fans hear about a wrestler on an expiring contract with little recent television time who elects to go somewhere else. With the company cutting major would-be-lifers like New Day, some of the depth names on the roster could choose to leave after seeing the writing on the wall. 

BS Meter: 1

Fair enough. WWE surely saw the value in keeping Dragunov, even if he was being used sparingly. And it's easy enough to believe he's one of the individuals not content to just sit in the back and not get out there in the ring when the red light is on. 

WWE changes celebrity plans?

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The Rumor

According to WrestleVotes Radio (h/t Knight), WWE has pulled back from plans to have a Lil Yachty concert at September's Sunday Night's Main Event in response to recent happenings. 

Reaction

Said recent happenings includes the New York Knicks dominating a recent Saturday Night's Main Event this summer. One could also whisper about a guy named Pat McAfee and stuff at WrestleMania, but the SNME-Knicks stuff is a fresher, understandable mention. 

BS Meter: 1

Here's to hoping WWE sees the writing on the wall with celebrities. Then again, Lil Yachty has had a really solid run alongside wrestlers in programs lately, so it's a little unfortunate for him. Even so, more spotlight on wrestlers at wrestling shows…would be nice.