WWE & AEW Rumours - Sep. 12, 2025: The Rock-WWE WrestleMania 43, How Much WWE Will Earn From Saudi Arabia

The rumour mill within professional wrestling continues to turn, with the latest rumours on Friday, September 12 revealing more about WWE WrestleMania 43, which is set to be announced for Saudi Arabia.

All Elite Wrestling plans, meanwhile, had to be scrapped due to Wardlow's injury. WWE are also holding talks about future efforts to counter-programme All Elite Wrestling.

Stephanie Vaquer has also confirmed she is not injured, Rey Mysterio is closer to a WWE return, Jordynne Grace's main roster call-up is still in the works, and Chelsea Green has been pitching for Ethan Page to move to the main roster too.

WWE and AEW rumours for Friday, September 12, 2025:

Deal For The Rock To Wrestle At WWE WrestleMania 43 Allegedly Close To Being Finalised

WWE WrestleMania 43 will be taking place in Saudi Arabia in 2027 and those close to the Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority have claimed to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that talks with The Rock to wrestle at the show are advancing and they believe a deal is close to being finalised.

Such is The Rock's importance to the show that it would actually affect the final amount paid to WWE for bringing WrestleMania to the Middle East. The Rock's fee for working the show too would be multiple times higher than any pro wrestler for an event in the history of the industry.

As of August, Saudi Arabia was pushing for The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 43.

What About Steve Austin?

Saudi Arabia are looking to bring in several legends of the past for WrestleMania 43 and one name that has been talked about for the show is "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

The Texas Rattlesnake has yet to be confirmed, but the Saudi side noted to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that they have been told by either WWE or Austin that he wants to make sure he is healthy and would be physically ready to do a match.

How Much WWE Will Earn From WrestleMania 43

WWE will earn "well over $100 million" from holding WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia.

A Saudi Arabian source told Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter: "I can't share with you the exact number but WWE asked for a higher number than $100 million as the show will feature The Rock (if the agreement is reached) and will be a packed mega stars show as the General Entertainment Authority requested."

Original Plans For 2 WWE WrestleManias In 2027

The original plans from earlier this year called for there to be two WrestleManias in 2027, one in Saudi Arabia and another elsewhere, Meltzer further reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

WWE held significant talks with Nashville, and London was also talked about as an option, but it appears there will be just the one WrestleMania in 2027. It is likely WWE will look to build another two-day stadium event as the North American WrestleMania for the year, however.

AEW Plans Scrapped Following Wardlow Injury

Wardlow suffered an injury upon his return to All Elite Wrestling at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, with Self Made reporting that Wardlow sustained the injury during a lariat to Prince Nana. Wardlow is feared to have suffered a torn pectoral muscle and he is likely to be sidelined for some time.

Fightful Select has noted Wardlow's injury affected immediate creative plans for the AEW World Title scene as the three-time TNT Champion was scheduled to be involved in the programme between Kyle Fletcher and Hangman Page. This wouldn't have affected All Out, however, as it has been stated Kyle Fletcher vs. Hangman Page was always the plan for the pay-per-view.

WWE Holding Talks About Future Plans To Counter-Program AEW

WWE have consistently counter-programmed All Elite Wrestling in 2025, but WrestleVotes has reported on WrestleVotes Radio that there doesn't appear to be any more plans to do so for the remainder of 2025.

That doesn't mean WWE won't revive the strategy in 2026, with Bryan Alvarez reporting on Wrestling Observer Live that "there are a lot of discussions" about how WWE will go head-to-head with AEW next. WWE are reportedly planning to do extra shows in 2026 to prevent Tony Khan from being able to move an AEW pay-per-view to an unopposed start time.

WWE's counter-programming is part of a strategy to try and put AEW out of business before their current TV deal with Warner Bros. Discovery expires at the end of 2027.

Stephanie Vaquer Confirms She Isn't Injured

Dave Meltzer had reported that WWE told him Stephanie Vaquer was dealing with a minor injury, but Vaquer has since told Adrian Hernandez that she is not injured.

"No, I saw social media. Sometimes, many things are not real. There's no injuries. I'm ready for Raw next Monday, so no. No injury," Vaquer said.

The former WWE NXT Women's Champion has a busy week ahead. Her comments suggest she will appear on Monday's episode of Raw, while Vaquer is also planned to wrestle at NXT Homecoming and then face IYO SKY for the vacant Women's World Title at WWE Wrestlepalooza.

H/T F4WOnline

Update On Rey Mysterio's In-Ring Return

Rey Mysterio may not be too far away from an in-ring return as PWInsider has reported that Mysterio, while he has yet to be cleared, is expected to be at the WWE Performance Center next week as part of the process for him to return to the squared circle.

Mysterio has been on the shelf since he sustained a torn groin on the go-home edition of SmackDown before WrestleMania 41. He has continued to make appearances, though, as part of AAA.

Jordynne Grace's WWE Main Roster Call-Up Still In The Works

Jordynne Grace was expected to be called up to the main roster earlier this year, but the former TNA Knockouts World Champion has remained a part of WWE NXT. She is currently locked in a feud with Blake Monroe.

BodySlam has reported, however, that a main roster call-up for Jordynne Grace is not imminent, but it is still in the works. Plans to move her to the WWE main roster were ultimately pushed back, although the reason for the change is unknown.

Ethan Page WWE Main Roster Call-Up Being Pitched By Chelsea Green

Ethan Page and Chelsea Green have been aligned on-screen within WWE NXT in recent weeks, but Page as part of the Secret Hervice could make its way to the main roster.

Fightful Select has reported that Chelsea Green has been actively making pitches for Page to receive a main roster call-up that would see their act continue. Green confirmed as much to USA Today, saying:

"(Page) absolutely deserves everything in wrestling that he's ever got, and now I feel like it's my job to make sure the main roster sees him as a main roster talent. I also hope that he stays with us. I think that we've learned so much from him. He's learned so much from us, and we have just made kind of the perfect unit."

AEW Signs Five-Year Deal For Australia Shows

All Elite Wrestling will return to Australia in 2026 and the promotion look set to continue making trips Down Under.

Wrestle Radio Australia has reported that AEW signed a five-year deal with TEGSport, which they presume began earlier this year when AEW debuted in the country with Grand Slam Australia.

A division of TEG, the group "is responsible for helping major global brands break new markets in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States."

Update On AEW Interest In Isla Dawn

Isla Dawn made her AEW debut at the pre-Forbidden Door edition of Collision in Glasgow, Scotland as she went one-on-one with Megan Bayne.

Reports ahead of the show noted AEW were interested in the former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion, but Sean Ross Sapp has stated on Fightful Select Answers Q&A that he hasn't heard if Dawn has been signed by the promotion.

Dawn made a good impression at the Collision taping, but Fightful were told before the Glasgow event that AEW's interest was more in relation to single bookings.