In an unexpected twist, Cody Rhodes made headlines by departing from AEW in early 2022, only to make a surprising return to WWE at WrestleMania 38. The latest report from Fightful Select suggests that WWE is strategically planning to secure Cody Rhodes for an extended period.

While the exact duration of the contract remains undisclosed, there are rumors that Cody will be presented with a long-term deal. In 2022, reports indicated a multi-million dollar contract offer, and speculation now suggests that his new deal might see an even more substantial compensation. Cody’s recent gift of a travel bus has fueled speculation about a potential signing, though official confirmation is still pending. 

Under WWE’s new leadership, Cody Rhodes has left a positive impression. The company has recently extended contracts for other notable stars like Charlotte Flair, Dominic Mysterio, Bayley, and Rey Mysterio. As contracts for major superstars like Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Ricochet, Drew McIntyre, and Sheamus approach expiration in 2024, WWE appears committed to retaining its top talents.

Another report from Fightful Select suggests that executives at TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s new parent company, are actively working to keep Cody Rhodes within the organization. While there is no official confirmation from either the company or Rhodes, there is confidence within WWE that The American Nightmare will continue his journey with the company. 

Engaged in a feud against Shinsuke Nakamura on Raw, their recent match on the December 11 episode concluded with a disqualification. While no details have emerged regarding Nakamura’s status, Cody Rhodes has already declared his entry into the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, adding an extra layer of anticipation to his WWE comeback.

Seth Rollins, the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, has played a crucial role in shaping WWE over the last decade. Whether as a heel, face, part of a faction, or a solo star, the Visionary has consistently delivered impressive performances. In a recent development, the former champion commended Seth Rollins and shared some critical thoughts about CM Punk.

CM Punk’s unexpected return at WWE Survivor Series 2023 surprised fans, and Seth Rollins’ reaction to Punk’s comeback became viral on social media. Last week, Punk and Seth faced each other on Raw, and Punk announced his entry into the Royal Rumble 2024 match.

Numerous reports hint at a potential headline match between Punk and Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. However, former US Champion Ryback, discussing Seth and Punk on his YouTube channel with fans, praised The Architect as the best in the world while expressing some criticisms of Punk. Ryback shared his perspective, stating:

“I personally have a lot of respect for Seth because of his consistent performances. His in-ring style is refined and distinctive. He can work seamlessly with anyone in the ring. Seth’s in-ring presence is one of the standout aspects of this industry. Moreover, being the current World Heavyweight Champion and able to wrestle anywhere at any time is a significant accomplishment. He hasn’t made the same mistakes in this industry as Punk has.”

Ryback, a former World Champion himself, has a history of facing CM Punk several times in WWE. Both were part of a lengthy storyline, with their last encounter taking place at Hell in a Cell 2013, where Punk emerged victorious against Ryback and his partner Paul Heyman. Ryback, like others in the industry, has openly shared his perspective on Punk without holding back.

In recent months, WWE has been generating excitement with the return of seasoned superstars, such as CM Punk and Carlito. Adding to the anticipation, reports suggest the comeback of the formidable tag team, the Authors of Pain (AOP). Despite their release in 2020 and subsequent reassignment in 2022 under Vince McMahon’s leadership, the duo, consisting of Ekam and Razor, has been noticeably absent from TV time.

According to a recent PWinsider report, the Authors of Pain are set to make their return at SmackDown: New Year’s Revolution on the January 5, 2023, episode. This news has stirred enthusiasm among fans, especially following a mysterious video package featuring Karrion Kross and Scarlett on a recent SmackDown episode. In the cryptic message, Kross hinted at the destruction of notable wrestlers like Drew McIntyre and Shinsuke Nakamura, suggesting a potential alliance with the “authors.”

It’s worth noting that Ekam and Razor, collectively known as the Authors of Pain, have previously achieved significant success as a tag team. They secured the Raw Tag Team Championship upon their main roster promotion and also clinched the NXT Tag Team Title during their time in NXT. Renowned for their strength and skills, they are poised to reclaim their status as one of the top teams in the company.

The zenith of their career came when they aligned themselves with Seth Rollins, forming a faction that not only heightened their popularity but also showcased their menacing characters. A potential collaboration with Karrion Kross could be a game-changer for AOP, opening up exciting possibilities in the coming months. Speculations suggest they might initially target factions like LWO or The Imperium before setting their sights on Roman Reigns and his formidable group, The Bloodline.

As the WWE universe eagerly awaits the return of the Authors of Pain, enthusiasts look forward to the unfolding chapters of their story and the potential impact they could have on the professional wrestling landscape in the next few months.

On the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, wrestling veteran Konan shared his perspective on CM Punk’s aspirations for a significant match at WrestleMania 40. Konan proposed an intriguing showdown between CM Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin, emphasizing the uniqueness of the opportunity due to Austin’s advancing career. Konan argued that waiting for future events might diminish the possibility of witnessing this epic clash, given the inevitable changes in Austin’s availability. In his words, 

“I believe they should arrange a match between CM Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin due to Austin’s career trajectory. As time goes on, he’s not getting any less busy. Waiting for WrestleMania 41 might not be the best option as he’ll be engaged in other projects. That’s why I think WWE should consider this route.”

The podcast discussion delved into the idea that locking in a Punk vs. Austin match sooner rather than later would capitalize on the current window of opportunity. Konan emphasized the significance of seizing the moment and not delaying such a potentially iconic encounter.

In recent developments, CM Punk’s trajectory within WWE took an intriguing turn when he announced his participation in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match during a Raw episode. The ensuing excitement involved an altercation with Seth Rollins, setting the stage for a potential rivalry.

Punk emerged victorious in the Royal Rumble, securing the coveted main event spot at WrestleMania 40. While fans eagerly await the fulfillment of Punk’s dream match against Stone Cold Steve Austin, the anticipation continues to build around the dynamic storylines unfolding in the WWE.

Royal Rumble Excitement: Alexa Bliss, a standout in WWE, has enjoyed significant success since her debut, clinching the Women’s Champion title multiple times and engaging in captivating storylines. Notably, her partnership with the late superstar Bray Wyatt received widespread acclaim.

Taking a hiatus for several months due to pregnancy, Bliss welcomed a daughter into their family on November 27, 2023. Recent hints on social media suggest that Bliss’s return to WWE TV is imminent. A recent Instagram Story featuring a picture related to Royal Rumble 2023 has sparked speculation about her potential comeback.

The Instagram post, hinting at the Royal Rumble, suggests that Bliss might choose this prestigious live event for her return to WWE TV—an option frequently embraced by superstars. Bliss’s last match was against Bianca Blair at Royal Rumble 2023, where Bianca emerged victorious.

In other news, WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss recently reflected on her intergender match against Randy Orton at Fastlane 2021. Conducted in an empty arena during the Covid era, the match took on a cinematic quality. The return of The Fiend played a crucial role, helping Bliss secure the victory. In an interview with BT Sport’s Rob Armstrong, Bliss shared her thoughts on this unique match:

“I never thought I’d have the opportunity to face Randy Orton in a match. It’s probably one of my favorite matches in my career. It was pretty cool. It was a fun match. Let me tell you, it’s not a joke to be hit with an RKO. But it’s pretty cool to say you’ve been hit with an RKO before.”