WWE: Adam Cole Status Update, Becky Lynch Heel Plans Update, John Cena, Updated SD Ratings

Adam Cole WWE Contract Status Update

As noted before, Adam Cole’s contract with WWE expired this past July but he agreed to continue working for the company until this past weekend’s TakeOver 36 event.

Fightful Select reported that Cole’s current short term extension deal with WWE is set to expire this Friday and as of this past Sunday, he had yet to sign a new deal with the company. In a separate report, it was also reported that WWE officials did not have any plans for Cole to make his official main roster call-up for this past Monday’s episode of RAW.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources within WWE stated that the current belief within the company is that Cole will be leaving after this weekend baring a last minute contract signing.

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More on Becky Lynch’s Return at SummerSlam

As noted before, Becky Lynch made her surprise return to WWE during this past Saturday’s SummerSlam 2021 event in Las Vega, Nevada. Lynch challenged and defeated Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at the event, which was planned to be the start of a heel turn for her.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that PWInsider’s report about WWE currently planning to turn Lynch heel are true based on his own sources within the company. Meltzer reported that Lynch had requested to turn heel as part of the plans for her return to the company.

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John Cena Comments on End of His Current Run in WWE

John Cena recently reflected on Twitter about his current run in WWE being over for the time being and thanked everyone who supported him.

Words cannot describe how appreciative I am that the @WWEUniverse allowed me the opportunity to return and perform. Thank you staff, superstars, and most of all FANS for giving me an unforgettable summer at “home” with my “family”. The journey takes me away now but I’ll C U soon.

— John Cena (@JohnCena) August 23, 2021

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources within WWE stated that Cena is done with future appearances for the company due to his current filming commitments. Beyond his advertised appearance for the September 10th episode of Friday Night SmackDown at Madison Square Garden, Johnson reported that WWE officials currently do not have any timetable in mind for when Cena could make his return to the company.

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Updated WWE Friday Night SmackDown Ratings

This past Friday’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown drew a final viewership of 2,102,000 on FOX, according to Wrestlenomics. This was down compared to the initial overnight number of 2,237,000 viewers on the network.