WWE, AEW Rumor Roundup: John Cena on SmackDown, Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez?

It’s an exciting week of wrestling with WWE SmackDown debuting on FOX and AEW set to air for the first time on cable television, so here are the latest rumors around the two biggest promotions in wrestling.

Tracking wrestling rumors is a favorite past time of pretty much all of us, so let’s take a closer look at what’s buzzing in the WWE and AEW world today.

John Cena to appear on SmackDown?

Ahead of rumblings – no doubt fueled by his prominent placement in advertisements – that The Rock would appear on the first episode of SmackDown Live on FOX, The People’s Champ officially announced his upcoming appearance on Friday night.

But could John Cena join him? Cageside Seats’s Rumor Roundup has fanned the flames, noting that there’s speculation this could happen, and I believe that this speculation can be traced to a post the 16-time champion made on his Instagram.

Cena is known for dropping cryptic hints on social media, so could he be ready for a face-to-face showdown with someone on the blue brand?

Because the main roster is so talented and wrestlers like Becky Lynch, whom Cena helped put over months ago on SmackDown, have stepped up, Cena hasn’t needed to be as present in WWE lately. He loves returning, as evidenced by his wonderful WrestleMania cameo as the Doctor of Thuganomics, and SmackDown wouldn’t be quite the same party without him.

The Rock and Cena on SmackDown at the same time on a Friday night in 2019? Does that sound too good to be true?

Cain Velasquez rumors are flying

Former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez recently made his pro wrestling debut for AAA, and he’s been loosely linked to WWE for quite some time. Velasquez is, per the Wrestling Observer News’s Dave Meltzer, reportedly negotiating with the three biggest pro wrestling promotions in the world – WWE, AEW, and NJPW.

Not only that, but one of the sweeteners, per Meltzer, in a deal between Velasquez and WWE would be a possible feud against Brock Lesnar.

We’ve yet to see Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley in a battle of MMA and pro wrestling heavyweights, but Velasquez and Lesnar could also be a treat due to their completely contrasting in-ring styles. Velasquez could be an exciting pro wrestler, and the prospect of having a big match with Lesnar could be too good to pass up on, even if AEW and NJPW can likely piece together intriguing – and competitive, at least in AEW’s case – offers.

AEW executive and wrestler Cody Rhodes has praised Velasquez, stating that he was “blown away” by the former MMA fighter’s debut with AAA. Rhodes made it clear that he’d love to sign Velasquez, who would join Chris Jericho as a marquee signing with mainstream appeal.

Did I mention it’s an exciting time to be a wrestling fan?

Another CM Punk rumor

You just knew there had to be at least one rumor about CM Punk, right?

Ahead of speculation that he could be making a wild return to pro wrestling as either a commentator on a WWE show with FS1 or a part-timer a la Goldberg, there’s another nugget to chew on.

WrestleVotes reports that a source told them a Punk return “probably” wouldn’t happen now but would “eventually” happen, and that any return would be kept “super quiet”. (Note that WWE does a great job of keeping huge shocks on the down-low, recalling the Hardy Boyz return at WrestleMania 33.)

To be honest with you, I don’t think there’s anything REALLY there with these CM Punk rumors, but they’re interesting to track…and there IS a lot of smoke. So there has to be a fire, right?

Again, I don’t think so, but, if there is a return on the horizon, I want to be shocked. In a way, though, I’d prefer to see Punk as an FS1 host than a wrestler, as much as I love my good ol’ dose of nostalgia coursing through my veins.

Jack Swagger to AEW?

Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and United States Champion Jack Swagger has forged a successful post-WWE career for himself as Jake Hager in pro wrestling and as an MMA fighter in Bellator. Swagger could be a strong signing for a secondary promotion, as he’s worked with the likes of MLW and Lucha Underground in addition to independents.

But AEW reportedly have interest in Swagger, who could be another notable signing for their growing roster. Swagger would go against AEW’s stated goal to mostly give opportunities to up-and-comers instead of former WWE wrestlers, but they have made exceptions for the likes of Shawn Spears.

Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso reports that Swagger could debut on the first episode of AEW’s “Dynamite” on TNT this Wednesday, making him the first “surprise” of the “Wednesday Night Wars”.

I’m not sure Swagger/Hager is a great fit for AEW’s ethos or if he’s quite the draw they’re looking for since he isn’t a rising star, but it’s a potential signing to keep an eye on.

Is Adam Cole injured?

The current NXT Champion and the leader of the Undisputed Era, Adam Cole will put his title on the line on Wednesday when NXT first goes head-to-head with AEW on cable television. He’ll be facing another notable name in wrestling in Matt Riddle, who defeated Killian Dain to earn this opportunity.

Cole is on upset watch, especially because he may be injured for this matchup. Not only has he been listed as questionable on the injury report, which NXT has been making great use of as a possible counter to AEW’s anticipated sports-centric programming, but he’s also been pulled from house shows with this apparent injury. NXT says it’s a fractured radius.

If he’s injured, that could make it more likely for Riddle to win, even if it isn’t a work. It could play a key role in the story of the match, especially with Riddle’s mat wrestling and MMA background; he’s the exact wrestler who can take advantage of this injury.

Riddle vs. Cole is one of the highlights of a loaded week in wrestling, and all eyes will be on this matchup and the status of Cole’s right arm.