WWE Rumor Roundup: Chris Jericho's status; Ava's exit; Brie Bella's return at Royal Rumble & more (February 2, 2026)

Let’s dive into the latest WWE rumors circulating on social media!

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 Chris Jericho’s status, Ava’s exit, Brie Bella’s return at Royal Rumble, praise for NXT stars, and much more.

Chris Jericho’s status & Kit Wilson in the Rumble

According to Fightful Select, Chris Jericho continues to appear on AEW’s official roster page, which strongly suggests he remains under contract. While details remain unclear, his current deal reportedly has not yet expired.

The outlet also reported that SmackDown star Kit Wilson was considered for a spot in the Royal Rumble but did not make the cut.

Ava’s exit & praise for NXT stars

On a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez addressed Ava’s departure from WWE. The former NXT General Manager announced earlier in the week that her appearance on last Tuesday’s episode of WWE NXT would be her last, confirming she chose not to renew her contract.

Meltzer noted that, based on what he’s been told, the decision was driven by personal considerations rather than any business dispute. “I’ve talked to and heard from several people and the general thing was is just she didn’t want to do it anymore. There was no compelling reason.”

Meltzer said. “It was just one of those things where her parents own a studio, and they thought that she’s probably going to end up working there. She doesn’t have to do it.”

According to PWInsider‘s Mike Johnson, WWE officials were extremely impressed with Oba Femi, Sol Ruca, and Je’Von Evans coming out of the Royal Rumble, with the belief internally that the show marked a turning point in spotlighting future stars.

“Those in the company were raving about the performances of Sol Ruca and Oba Femi yesterday. There was also a lot of praise for Je’Von Evans. The feeling was last night was the true start of getting new names established for the future.”

Brie Bella’s return at the Royal Rumble, AJ Styles & Powerhouse Hobbs

A PWInsider report notes that WWE took extensive measures to prevent leaks about Brie Bella’s return, keeping her out of sight backstage and limiting her presence to a small group until just moments before she was set to enter the women’s Royal Rumble.

The outlet also notes that there is no word on whether AJ Styles is slated for an appearance on tonight’s Raw in Philadelphia, after losing the career threatning match against Gunther at the Rumble PLE last Saturday.

WOR’s Dave Meltzer reported that AEW put a long-term, five-year deal on the table for Powerhouse Hobbs, one that exceeded many internal expectations in terms of value. Although the specifics of Hobbs’ WWE contract have not been disclosed, Meltzer indicated that AEW’s offer would have positioned him near the top tier of the company’s pay scale.

Even with AEW willing to invest heavily, Meltzer added that Hobbs seemed set on leaving, as discussions suggested he was looking for a fresh start elsewhere. There had also been a prevailing belief within WWE circles that Hobbs would sign with the company once he was no longer under contract.

Hobbs made his debut as Royce Keys during the men’s Royal Rumble match. The moniker has deep personal significance for him as Royce is the name of his youngest son, while Keys is the maiden name of his late mother.

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