Questions are emerging about Big Bill and his future with All Elite Wrestling, as backstage reports suggest his current contract may be nearing its end.

According to Fightful, internal belief within AEW as of April was that Big Bill’s deal was expected to expire around late May or early June. The report also noted that there has been no confirmation that he has signed a new contract with the company.

His recent absence from both AEW and ROH programming has added to speculation about his status. Since the reports began circulating, Big Bill has not been featured on television, raising further questions about whether his run with the company is coming to an end.

Big Bill initially debuted in AEW in 2022 during Wardlow’s TNT Championship run. After limited early appearances, he later signed a full-time multi-year contract in August of that year.

During his time in AEW, he went on to capture the AEW World Tag Team Championships alongside Ricky Starks. He later aligned with Chris Jericho as part of The Learning Tree storyline, becoming a regular presence on television.

More recently, Big Bill had been teaming with Bryan Keith while Jericho pursued separate feuds, including ongoing issues with Ricochet.

At this time, there is no confirmation regarding whether Big Bill is set to re-sign with AEW, exit the promotion, or simply awaiting creative direction. AEW has not publicly commented on his status.

His current absence combined with the reported contract timeline has made his situation one of the more closely watched developments within the company.

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O’Shea Jackson Jr. believes WWE SmackDown is currently falling behind WWE RAW, pointing to roster decisions and the impact of WWE’s Netflix era as key factors.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Jackson shared his view that RAW has gained a clear advantage due to its access to top stars and major storylines.

“I feel like SmackDown is fighting for its life. A lot of it is because Netflix gets all the cool toys. Yeah. Like, when I saw when Je’Von and Trick and Oba came over, I was like, ‘Alright, surely, surely they’re going to give them to SmackDown.’ No. Two out of the three go to Raw. And then, you know, they pass off Trick to SmackDown. But it was just like, man.

“And then when you look at it right now, Netflix is doing such a chokehold on, like I say, the cool toys, all the fun stuff. The World Heavyweight Championship used to be the second-place championship, you know, the number two. Cody Rhodes has the title with the company logo, the biggest. And like that’s not number one? It just feels off.”

Jackson referenced rising names like Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, and Oba Femi as examples of talent he expected to strengthen SmackDown but instead saw featured more prominently on RAW.

He also expressed concern about SmackDown’s women’s division, stating that recent roster cuts have hurt its depth and direction.

“SmackDown needs drastic help. The layoffs, you know, there were a couple that really stung, but you kind of carved out your entire women’s mid-card. There’s just a lot of decisions where I’m thinking like, ‘Alright, a bunch of NXT people are coming, but they all can’t go to RAW.’

“SmackDown needs help. And I feel like once they figure that out a little bit, you know, then they’ll have smooth sailing.”

Jackson suggested that Giulia could be positioned as a key focus moving forward. He pointed to opportunities like Money in the Bank or Elimination Chamber as ways to elevate her status, similar to past momentum-driven pushes.

He also noted WWE’s inconsistent track record when it comes to booking Japanese talent, while praising IYO SKY as an example of how strong presentation can work when handled properly.

Jackson closed by emphasizing the gap between the two brands, especially with Roman Reigns now back in the mix on RAW.

“But yeah, they gotta figure out something juicy for SmackDown because RAW’s taking all the cool stuff. They got Roman now. Roman is back.”

As previously noted, O’Shea Jackson Jr. also revealed details of a direct conversation he had with Paul Levesque regarding what he described as excessive advertising during WWE shows.

O’Shea Jackson Jr. Says WWE SmackDown Is “Fighting For Its Life” Compared To RAW

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Dragon Lee return timeline speculation has picked up following a short but telling message from the WWE RAW star. Although he has not appeared on television since WrestleMania 42, fans now believe his comeback could be approaching sooner rather than later.

Lee sparked attention after posting a simple “2-3 weeks” message on social media. The post quickly led to discussion among fans, with many interpreting it as a hint about when he could be cleared to return. While the message itself offered no details, the timing has fueled belief that he is nearing the end of his recovery.

Cory Hays later reshared the post and suggested that Lee may have needed time to recover after the physically demanding match he competed in at WrestleMania 42. That explanation aligns with the “2-3 weeks” timeline, which would place his return in the near future if accurate.

Dragon Lee sidelined after WrestleMania 42 ladder match

Lee’s last match took place on night two of WrestleMania 42 in a six-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship. The bout featured a high-risk lineup including Penta, Rey Mysterio, Je’Von Evans, Rusev, and JD McDonagh. Penta ultimately retained the title in what was one of the more physically intense matches on the card.

Following the match, Lee was seen favoring his leg and thigh as he made his way backstage alongside Penta and Mysterio. WWE never confirmed an official injury, but reports at the time indicated he was dealing with multiple bumps and bruises coming out of the contest.

His absence from RAW has been noticeable, especially given the momentum he had built in recent months. Lee had gained increased exposure through matches and segments, including working alongside AJ Styles prior to Styles’ retirement. Even after that, Lee continued to reference Styles by incorporating the Styles Clash into his moveset, further building his connection with fans.

There is also growing interest in where Lee could return. WWE is scheduled to hold AAA Noche de los Grandes in Mexico on May 30, and Lee’s history with AAA makes that event a possible landing spot if he is medically cleared in time.

Despite his absence from in-ring action, Lee has remained visible during public appearances, including WrestleMania weekend events in Los Angeles where he appeared alongside Rey Fenix. With his recovery seemingly progressing, attention now shifts to when he will officially be back on WWE programming.

Dragon Lee Return Timeline Hinted After Cryptic Message

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