WWE rumour round-up: Drew McIntyre’s Twitter profile goes dark amidst contract stalemate

Two weeks on from WrestleMania 39, the dust has begun to settle and the focus has moved on to upcoming blockbuster events. 

Already, the rumour-mill has begun to churn about next steps for WWE following its jaw-dropping £7.5billion-acquisition by Endeavour, the holding company that also owns UFC. 

But just as some former wrestling stars might be eyeing a return to the ring and career-making match-ups, other big-names could be on their way out. 

Here, Mail Sport rounds up all the latest rumours from around the world of WWE. 

Charlotte Flair could play a role in Nia Jax’s return to the ring

Former WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair has been helping Nia Jax to lose weight, with the 14-time women’s world champion offering up ‘killer workouts’ to help her reach her goal. 

Charlotte Flair has given ex-WWE star Nia Jax a helping hand as she bids to lose weight

The star formerly known as Nia Jax made a surprise return as the 30th entrant at the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble in January

The ex-WWE star – whose real name is Savelina Fanene – took to Twitter to detail the pair’s new relationship, sharing that she had reached out to Flair with concerns over her weight and Flair been keen to help her. 

‘Officially started in October,’ Fanene tweeted about Flair’s regimen. ‘6 months later, down 48lbs. Sends me killer workouts and motivates me’. 

Not only does Fanene’s revelation put to bed stories of a feud between the two women firmly behind them, but it reignites rumours that Fanene, who was released by WWE in November 2021, might return to the ring. 

Fanene appeared as a surprise entrant at the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble in January, and as per Wrestling Inc, has not ruled out joining All Elite Wrestling should she wish to restart her career. 

Leading candidate to take Money In The Bank emerges

This year’s Money In The Bank match is set to take place in London at the O2 in July, and a leading candidate to win on the night has already been discussed internally. 

As per WRKD Wrestling, LA Knight is said to be the front-runner to take the briefcase on the night, in what would be a career high for the former Million Dollar Champion. 

LA Knight was rumoured to be the 2022 winner of the contest, but he was eventually snubbed in favour of Austin Theory. 

Despite his widespread popularity, the star has suffered a string of losses this year, winning only two of his nine clashes. 

He also missed out on a chance to take part in Wrestlemania 39 after his fight was scrapped. 

Drew McIntyre faces uncertain future in WWE

Drew McIntyre is reportedly yet to agree a new contract with the company amidst fears that his appearance at Wrestlemania 39 may have been his last. 

Drew McIntyre has found himself in a stalemate with the company over a new contract

On Friday, his Twitter profile went dark, further fueling speculation of an exit announcement

His current deal is in its final year, and the star and company are said to be some way away from reaching an agreement on a new deal. 

As per PWInsider, McIntyre was not backstage at the April 14 Smackdown, after failing to appear on the April 7 edition due to a ‘health issue’. 

On Twitter, the wrestler – who cryptically posted a tweet of three waving hand emojis on April 3 – has set his profile dark, which has further fueled speculation of a rumoured exit. 

Nick Khan discusses expiring blockbuster Peacock deal

In a far-reaching discussion with Lightshed Partners after WWE’s landmark Endeavour deal, WWE CEO Nick Khan hinted that the ‘interesting timing’ on the expiration of the company’s current Peacock deal could see WWE and UFC licensing offerings packaged together in the future. 

WWE and NBC announced the billion-dollar deal in 2021, which is set to expire in 2026, just months after UFC’s deal with ESPN wraps up in 2025. 

When asked about whether the proposed UFC-WWE merger would see the two companies packaging their rights together, Khan said: ‘That Peacock deal? The timing of that is interesting to us.’

The CEO also lauded the UFC/Disney deal, calling the $1.5billion agreement struck in 2019 ‘extraordinary’.