Backstage WWE Rumors: Latest on Cody Rhodes vs. AJ Styles, Chad Gable, More (2024)

Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles appear poised to run it back with the former's Undisputed WWE Championship on the line.

The latest on the timing of the match headlines this collection of rumors from inside wrestling's hottest promotion.

Also included is an update on Chad Gable and his contract situation ahead of his Clash at the Castle showdown with Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship, as well as the backstage reaction to Ethan Page thus far in his NXT run.

Chad Gable is amid the biggest push of his WWE career, one that has earned him copious TV time and incredible heat from the crowd as he stars in the best ongoing storyline in the company as the oppressive leader of Alpha Academy.

He is also the top contender for the Intercontinental Championship and has a date with Sami Zayn for the title at Clash at the Castle on June 15 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Most importantly, though, his contract with WWE expires Friday, according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select.

"We've asked around about Chad Gable's contract status," he wrote. "As of last week, it was set to expire this Friday. He's booked for next week's Clash at the Castle event, however. We'll let you know when we hear more."

Gable's presence on the June 15 card suggests at least some short extension was worked out, if not a show-by-show arrangement until a full deal is done. Either way, it is risky for WWE to dedicate the amount of television time it has to the Olympian and elevate his star without having him locked up under contract.

The industry has its fair share of talent that has jumped from one show to another, or territory to territory. While there is no indication Gable would leave WWE hanging, and Dave Meltzer revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio that the likelihood of him leaving the company is low, wrestling history suggests you never say never.

If he makes it to free agency, Gable will be a hot commodity among promotions looking to sign a guy with an enormous personality, but who is also one of the most gifted in-ring competitors since Kurt Angle.

Considering how great the current storyline is, though, with Gable berating and oppressively ruling over Alpha Academy and Otis nearing his breaking point, one can only hope we get a proper payoff.

AJ Styles feigned his retirement before assaulting undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes on Friday's SmackDown, planting the seeds for a second match between the two following their Backlash classic in Lyon, France.

Meltzer reported in his Wrestling Observer Newsletter that, not at all surprisingly, the two are expected to square off on June 15 at Clash at the Castle, with the official match announcement to be made imminently.

Given the success of the first contest and the lack of ready-made opponents for The American Nightmare, going back to Styles as he prepares to wind down his in-ring career makes sense.

They showed tremendous in-ring chemistry during their first encounter and the fans in France were red-hot for the match-up. That it was the first time the two wrestlers had competed against each other only enhanced the specialness of the moment.

Adding the shocking betrayal and beatdown by Styles and the idea he is winding down his in-ring career at this point, only enhances what would be a great main event regardless.

Booking that on the same card as Damian Priest vs. home-nation hero Drew McIntyre makes for a powerful one-two punch that should generate considerable interest in the upcoming PLE in Scotland.

"All Ego" Ethan Page shocked the wrestling world when he debuted on the May 28 episode of NXT, attacking Trick Williams and establishing himself as the new No. 1 contender to the brand's world title.

He followed up that appearance with a great promo segment on Tuesday's show and, unsurprisingly, has impressed WWE officials.

Corey Brennan of Fightful Select wrote: "No surprise, but Ethan Page's promo work in the main event segment received praise from those we spoke to."

The 34-year-old has long been a gifted talker, dating back to his time as one-half of The North in TNA Wrestling. That he managed to leave that company without a deal and went to All Elite Wrestling, only to be severely underutilized, is mind-boggling.

Those promotions' loss is WWE's gain as Page now figures to become a central figure on Tuesday nights. As long as his in-ring game backs up the promo work, and there is no reason to believe that it will not, his addition to the roster has to be considered one of the better signings in recent memory.

That he is a veteran competitor who can help with the continued evolution of Williams as an in-ring performer, only enhances his significance to the gold brand.