Drew McIntyre & Joe Hendry's return; Bayley’s contract status & more: WWE Rumor Roundup (August 30, 2026)
(Courtesy : Getty)
Let’s look at the latest WWE rumors.
Speculation and rumors are among the favorite pastimes of WWE fans worldwide. Fans from all over the world enjoy discussing and debating various aspects of the world of pro wrestling.
In today’s edition of the roundup, we cover the latest rumors and news circulating among fans on social media, including Drew McIntyre & Joe Hendry’s return, Bayley’s contract status, plans for John Cena Classic, and more.
Drew McIntyre & Joe Hendry’s return
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
According to a report from PWInsider, WWE’s live-action microdrama project with ReelShort has wrapped filming in Los Angeles, California. With production now complete, Drew McIntyre and Joe Hendry could soon resume more regular WWE television appearances. This follows Jacob Fatu’s recent return to RAW, where he has been a consistent presence alongside The Bloodline.
McIntyre has been absent from programming since WrestleMania 42, where he suffered defeat in an Unsanctioned Match to Jacob Fatu. On the other hand, Hendry made his return during the pre-taping of the August 31 edition of Raw in Cleveland, Ohio, this past Friday.
Bayley’s contract status
Dave Meltzer, in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, noted that WWE’s continued references to Bayley indicate that officials expect her to remain with the company and believe she will sign a new contract.
That said, the report does not state that Bayley has already signed a new deal, only that the promotion expects her to do so.
John Cena Classic Tournament
According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the promotion is eyeing December 12 for the inaugural John Cena Classic, although the date has yet to be officially locked in. There is also no confirmation at this stage regarding which platform will carry the event, with Netflix and other potential outlets still in question.
The proposed date could create a logistical issue for WWE, as Wrestlepalooza: Perth is already announced for December 12 at RAC Arena in Australia. The company is set to host SmackDown at the same venue on December 11, before returning for RAW on December 14.
For now, December 12 is being treated as the working date for the John Cena Classic. The promotion has yet to reveal key details such as where the event will take place, who will compete, how the show will be structured, or where fans can watch it.
Plans for Royce Keys & OTM
Dave Meltzer, in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, revealed that the OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) arrival on the main roster has drawn comparisons to the debuts of The Nexus and The Shield, with all three groups being presented as fresh forces that immediately became part of major storylines.
Meltzer also noted that the new alliance could eventually result in a WarGames match featuring Royce Keys, Nima, and Price.
The idea of bringing Keys together with OTM came about roughly a month ago. Before that change in direction, the promotion had been preparing to split OTM. Jeremy Borash, WWE’s Vice President of Content and Development, had explored the possibility of sending Nima to AAA to join Los Perros Del Mal, while NXT had already begun developing a storyline that would separate Nima and Price.
Those plans were later abandoned, with AAA beginning to write Nima out of the group. The promotion instead decided to keep Nima and Price together, moving them to the main roster as OTM. The duo then joined forces with Keys during their RAW debut, establishing the trio as a new faction.
Has Bayley re-signed with WWE?
Per Dave Meltzer, the continued references to Bayley indicate that officials expect her to remain with the company and believe she will sign a new contract.
What is the latest update on Drew McIntyre?
Per Insider, with production now complete on WWE’s live-action microdrama project with ReelShort, which has wrapped filming in Los Angeles, California, Drew McIntyre could soon resume more regular television appearances.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram & Whatsapp.
Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.