In our WWE rumor roundup for today, May 26: Roman Reigns is reportedly set to defend his WWE Universal Championship at multiple upcoming pay-per-views, a report on who is behind the top storyline in AEW currently, the latest on Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) and her contractual status, and more.
All WWE rumors and news today
Here are all the WWE rumors, news, and leaks that have appeared on our radar today, May 26.
Latest On Plans For Roman Reigns As Undisputed Champion
Roman Reigns has not defended that title at WWE WrestleMania 39 and will not be defending the title at WWE Night of Champions this Sunday. However, a new report suggests that Roman Reigns will defend his title belt at two upcoming WWE pay-per-view events.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Roman will defend the championship at Money in the Bank and SummerSlam.
Reigns is expected to defend the title on the 7/1 Money in the Bank show in London and again at SummerSlam. It feels way early for Sikoa, but the top candidates on the brand would be the Usos and Bobby Lashley, and thus far, Lashley hasn’t been heated up to that level.
Latest On WWE’s Stance On Seth Rollins’ Marvel Role
Seth Rollins recently landed a role in Captain America: New World Order. According to a new report from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, WWE is viewing this as a positive for Seth and their brand overall.
One of the higher-ups reportedly said, “Colby (Lopez, Seth Rollins) is an exceptional talent, and we expect these opportunities to come his way. We were made aware that the situation was happening, and he’s already done filming. We had planned out the sit-down interviews to make up for his absence and it’s full speed ahead.”
A previous report suggested that there could be hesitancy on behalf of WWE to put the New World Heavyweight Championship on Seth Rollins. Rollins will fight AJ Styles on Saturday, May 27, at WWE Night of Champions to determine the new champion.
MJF Credited As Mind Behind Top AEW Storyline
The upcoming AEW Double or Nothing event’s main event sees Maxwell Jacob Friedman defend the world championship against Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, and “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry.
According to a new report by Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net, MJF is responsible for a large portion of the creative and storyline leading up to this main event match. Maxwell Jacob Friedman has been championed since AEW Full Gear 2022 and continues to tease that he might leave the company as champion in 2024.
Latest On Mercedes Mone’s Contract Status
Mercedes Mone, as previously reported, sustained an injury, thought to be a fractured ankle, while facing Willow Nightingale in the main event of NJPW Resurgence.
Mone was reportedly slated to become the first-ever NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion, but when she suffered the injury, plans had to be adjusted, with Willow taking the place of Mone as champion.
On or about April 27, the former IWGP Women’s Champion committed to a long-term agreement, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Mone had agreed to a longer-term deal with New Japan when her original deal expired on 4/27. We were told that the New Japan Strong championship and belt were created when she agreed to the longer term deal and both were created for her, after she showed strong drawing power for the San Jose show which sold out the Civic Auditorium