WWE Rumor Roundup: The Rock's earnings; Trish Stratus' status; update on Royal Rumble & more (January 11, 2026)
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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 the aftermath of the Crown Jewel 2025, the rumor mill continues to run in full force.
In today’s edition of the roundup, we cover the latest rumors and news circulating among fans on social media, including The Rock’s earnings, Trish Stratus’ status, an update on Royal Rumble 2026, Creative under Triple H, and much more.
The Rock’s earnings
The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that as of January 6, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was granted 8,046 shares of company stock, carrying a value of approximately $1.63 million.
Since joining the board of directors, his compensation from that role alone has totaled more than $78.3 million, not including additional income from special appearances or merchandise-related revenue. The report notes that the financial returns The Rock has received from this position far exceed what legends such as Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan could have made over the course of several careers combined.
The Rock’s last appearance on TV came during the Elimination Chamber 2025, where he played a major part in John Cena’s heel turn.
Also Read: All WWE PLEs in 2026: Date, venue & more
Trish Stratus’ status & Main Roster moves for Blake Monroe & Jacy Jayne
Speaking on a recent episode of Fightful Select Answers, Sean Ross Sapp noted that internal expectations for Trish Stratus in 2025 were especially ambitious, as the year marked her 25th anniversary with WWE. Many within the company had hoped to build a match or storyline around a “25 Years of Trish Stratus” celebration, though those ideas ultimately never came together.
While Stratus did appear sporadically throughout the year, her involvement was largely limited to non-wrestling roles. Sapp added that she has routinely proposed creative concepts and has remained receptive to discussions whenever WWE has contacted her.
He also suggested that a return to the ring in 2026 would not be unexpected, noting that Stratus, despite being 50, has continued to show she can still compete at a high level. However, there are no concrete plans or officially scheduled matches at this time.
Regarding the recent report of a main-roster call-up being discussed for Blake Monroe and Jacy Jayne, Fightful Select reports that while both NXT talents have been considered for main roster call-ups, they are not expected to be called up “imminently.”
The report notes that there is no clarity on the timing of a potential call-up, nor confirmation that a final decision has been made, as all discussions to date have remained broad and non-specific.
Update on Royal Rumble & Plans for Kit Wilson
The promotion is gearing up for the 2026 Royal Rumble PLE at a newly constructed stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The venue, reportedly being built specifically for the event scheduled for January 31, will be situated in the King Abdullah Financial District.
Per the recent Wrestling Observer Newsletter, work on the stadium is still in progress and well short of completion as the date draws closer. However, recent photos and videos shared online suggest noticeable advancement in construction since early January.
The report also states that interest in the event has been overwhelming, with ticket sales reaching unprecedented levels and reportedly setting a new presale record for a pro-wrestling show. Should the venue be finished on time, the stadium would serve as the launch point for the road to WrestleMania 42.
The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter clarifies that Kit Wilson’s recent singles matches are not designed to portray him as a jobber in brief squash matches. Rather, his increased time competing in singles action stems from the seriousness of Elton Prince’s neck injury, which is reportedly more severe than originally believed.
According to the report, Wilson is expected to remain in singles action for the foreseeable future, as neck injuries typically involve lengthy recovery periods that could keep Prince out for some time. Despite the situation, there are no creative plans to dissolve Pretty Deadly.
Creative leadership under Triple H & WWE library on Netflix
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque continues to lead the company’s creative team, while longtime writer Ryan Ward has recently taken on a larger role, presenting creative ideas directly to Levesque and acting as a filter to streamline communication within the team.
At the executive level, Bruce Prichard and Ed Koskey still oversee the department, focusing primarily on managing the flow of information across the company, while only occasionally contributing to creative decisions.
Furthermore, on Monday Night RAW, Jonathan Baeckstrom and Alexandra Williams serve as co-head writers. For SmackDown, John Swikata and Brian “Road Dogg” James remain co-leads, though Ward has begun stepping in more regularly to help maintain momentum.
The reports also add that sources describe this as a “minor adjustment,” giving Ward a more prominent role while James and Swikata take a slight step back. Veteran contributors, including William Regal and Michael Hayes, continue to provide input. One insider clarified that Hayes’ portrayal on WWE Unreal does not accurately reflect his actual contributions behind the scenes.
Fightful Select reports that WWE’s entire content library will be part of the new distribution deal, with particular emphasis on the company’s archived Premium Live Events (PLEs). While much of this material was previously available internationally on Netflix, it is now accessible worldwide.
Recently added content also includes several WWE documentaries, such as the Ric Flair-focused feature and the XFL episode from ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, along with the 1985 classic The Wrestling Classic. The promotion plans to gradually make additional content available on its YouTube channels.
A key uncertainty concerns the future of major NXT events after they leave Peacock. WWE’s current agreement to air NXT content on Peacock expires in March, which means NXT PLEs may no longer be available on the platform unless a new arrangement is reached.
In contrast, Peacock will continue hosting the SmackDown library as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event, thanks to a multi-year deal announced in August that secures those programs on the service.
Additionally, the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter adds that territorial programming and similar archival footage are no longer streaming on Peacock and will instead be released on YouTube via WWE Vault channels.
How much does The Rock get paid as a TKO member?
The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that as of January 6, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was granted 8,046 shares of company stock, carrying a value of approximately $1.63 million. Since joining the board of directors, his compensation from that role alone has totaled more than $78.3 million, not including additional income from special appearances or merchandise-related revenue.
Are Blake Monroe & Jacy Jayne moving to the main roster?
No, Fightful Select reports that while both NXT talents have been considered for main roster call-ups, they are not expected to be called up “imminently.”
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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.