The Lead A day of transition and legal transparency defines the current state of WWE backstage intelligence. As a cornerstone of the modern era prepares to walk away from his contract, newly unearthed documents shed light on the calculated maneuvers that led to the TKO era and Vince McMahon’s brief return to power.
Tommaso Ciampa Preparing for WWE Departure A significant shift is coming to the SmackDown roster as veteran Tommaso Ciampa is reportedly winding down his time with the company. Following his last appearance on the December 19th episode of SmackDown, reports indicate that Ciampa’s contract is nearing its end and he does not intend to renew. While it is confirmed that he plans to finish his current dates without a new deal, it remains unclear if Ciampa is seeking a jump to another promotion or simply intends to take an extended hiatus from the ring. Source: BodySlam+
The “Playbook”: Internal Details on the TKO Merger & Vince McMahon Fresh details from the ongoing shareholder lawsuit have provided a look into the “playbook” used during the WWE/Endeavor merger. Intel suggests that when Vince McMahon “retired” in July 2022, he had zero intention of staying away, with internal strategies already being discussed to “whitewash” the board if necessary to facilitate his return. Mark Shapiro of Endeavor reportedly laid out a strategy early on, noting that a sale was the only way to stabilize the stock price upon McMahon’s return. Additionally, Nick Khan’s communications with McMahon during this period included the use of “signal” (spelled backward) to coordinate private messaging. Source: Wrestling Observer Radio
WrestleMania 42 Speculation: Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee Backstage chatter is heavily intensifying regarding a marquee women’s match for WrestleMania. While not yet definitively confirmed by creative, several internal sources indicate that Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee is the match “everyone expects” to see on the card. Intelligence suggests that AJ Lee’s current run is not intended to be full-time; rather, WWE plans to utilize her for specific high-profile spots, including a likely appearance in the Royal Rumble, to build the seven-month arc toward a WrestleMania showdown with Lynch. Source: Fightful Select
NXT Creative Shift: The “Player-Coach” Veteran Protocol NXT’s current creative strategy under the CW era is prioritizing a mix of high-potential youth and “globally exposed” veterans. Sean Spears is cited as the primary example of this “player-coach” model. Reports indicate Spears has expressed a desire to remain in Florida, and WWE creative views him as an essential asset who can anchor the brand and mentor younger talent while maintaining the ratings growth necessary for rights-fee justifications. Source: Fightful Select
Bayley’s Contract Status and Future Possibilities The locker room is keeping a close eye on Bayley’s contract status as 2026 progresses. There is a “serious possibility” being discussed that Bayley could consider a jump to other promotions within the next 18 months, though a massive multi-million dollar re-signing with WWE remains equally plausible. WWE’s current presentation of Bayley remains strong, but her long-term future is currently labeled as one of the most significant “major jump” risks on the roster. Source: Fightful Select
WWE Archive Strategy: The Move to YouTube As WWE transitions its primary content to Netflix, the fate of the “territory” library and older archives has been a point of contention. Creative intelligence suggests that while WWE pay-per-views will be housed on Netflix, the vast majority of the territorial archives (Mid-South, Stampede, etc.) are expected to be released incrementally on YouTube rather than a premium streaming service. This is attributed to the high hosting costs versus the relatively niche viewership these archives draw. Source: Wrestling Observer Radio / Fightful Select