Welcome to a brand-new edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling’s WWE News and Rumor Roundup. Today, we’ll cover a star’s departure from the company, a massive update on Randy Orton’s future, and why management scrapped a major match ahead of SummerSlam.
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#5. Major WWE SummerSlam match scrapped ahead of the show
For weeks, Jade Cargill and Charlotte Flair feuded on Friday Night SmackDown, and they were headed toward a singles match at The Biggest Party of the Summer in Minnesota. However, management booked them in the upcoming five-way ladder match to crown the new Interim Women’s Champion.
Speaking on Busted Open at Fanatics Fest, The Storm addressed management’s decision to scrap their upcoming singles match in Minneapolis. The former Women’s Champion stated she was supposed to have a one-on-one match with The Queen, but she’s pleased with the direction they’re going now.
While she didn’t officially confirm that their match was scrapped, Cargill hinted that management made last-minute changes. Both stars now have the opportunity to become the Interim WWE Women’s Champion and eventually face Rhea Ripley to become the brand’s top champion in the women’s division. It’ll be interesting to see which star will leave Minnesota as the interim champion.
#4. Multiple titles won’t be defended at WWE SummerSlam 2026
SummerSlam is the second-biggest event of the year, and the company made it a two-night event in 2025 similar to WrestleMania. The event is set to take place at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, but many champions won’t get the opportunity to defend their titles.
Unfortunately, not every champion will defend or even appear at the event in Minnesota. The World Tag Team Champions (The Vision) and the WWE Tag Team Champions (Damian Priest & R-Truth) won’t compete at the event. Moreover, Raquel Rodriguez recently won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Sol Ruca, and she won’t defend the title at the event.
The Women’s Tag Team Champions, Fatal Influence, will compete in a six-woman tag team match against The Bella Twins and Paige, but the titles won’t be on the line. The Women’s United States Champion, Tiffany Stratton, is in the five-way ladder match for the Interim Women’s Championship.
#3. Major update on Randy Orton’s future ahead of WWE SummerSlam – Report
Earlier this year, Randy Orton turned heel for the first time since his return to the promotion in 2023. The Viper returned to his roots, attacking Cody Rhodes in a segment ahead of WrestleMania 42. The third-generation star’s heel turn was justified as he won the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, but didn’t get the opportunity to face Drew McIntyre for the title. Instead, The American Nightmare captured the Undisputed WWE Championship from McIntyre after the event in Chicago.
Unfortunately, Randy Orton failed at The Grandest Stage of Them All against his former student. Regardless of his defeat, The Viper attacked The American Nightmare and closed the show by raising Rhodes’ title. After the event, the 46-year-old veteran went on hiatus.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), Randy Orton is expected to return to the Stamford-based promotion. The return could be next week following SummerSlam in Minnesota, and it’ll be interesting to see what’s next for The Viper on the weekly product.
#2. Good news for WWE’s Kevin Owens – Report
Last year, Kevin Owens suffered an unfortunate neck injury, and it forced The Prizefighter to back out of his upcoming match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41. The former Universal Champion underwent surgery and worked on his recovery for over a year, but there were no indications of when he might return to the ring.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), Kevin Owens is expected to return to the ring soon. The insider stated Owens is on his way back. It’s been over a year since The Prizefighter last competed inside the squared circle, and a lot has changed in the Stamford-based promotion.
#1. Female star announces WWE departure
In 2024, under Triple H’s creative regime, WWE introduced the ID program. This allowed wrestlers on the independent circuit to work on behalf of the Stamford-based promotion and eventually make their way into the company, appearing on Evolve or the developmental brand.
Two championships were introduced and defended across smaller wrestling promotions. Over the past year, several talents have announced their signings and departures, and one star recently announced her exit ahead of The Biggest Party of the Summer in Minnesota.
Veronica Haven recently announced her departure from WWE‘s ID program. Haven explained her journey as a performer and her time with the Stamford-based promotion under the program. The exit doesn’t mark the end of her career in the industry, as she will continue to work on the independent circuit.
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Edited by Aakaansh Sukale
