Here’s your WWE Rumor Roundup for Thursday, December 19, 2025, featuring the latest backstage news and speculation from around the wrestling world.
WWE Producing John Cena Retirement Documentary
Per WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE is producing a documentary centered on John Cena’s retirement tour. The project is expected to chronicle Cena’s final year in WWE, which concluded with his emotional farewell at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13. The documentary would mark another collaboration between WWE and their content partners, similar to previous behind-the-scenes projects documenting major WWE moments.
WWE and Netflix Planning Stranger Things Crossover
WrestleVotes also says a promotional crossover between WWE and Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things is expected to happen soon. While specific details about the collaboration format remain unclear, the crossover would further strengthen WWE’s growing partnership with Netflix. The streaming service began airing Monday Night Raw earlier this year as part of their landmark $5 billion deal with WWE.
Maxxine Dupri Push
Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer claims WWE is marketing Maxxine Dupri as a wrestler who works hard to improve, but he suggests the actual reason for her push is her marketability based on appearance.
According to Meltzer, the hard-work narrative serves to deflect from the perception that she’s being pushed primarily for her looks. Dupri recently captured the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and has been featured prominently in training vignettes with Natalya.
WWE Hiring Freeze
Meltzer also notes that WWE is not actively recruiting talent, unless you're a legend like Chris Jericho. “We were told that of late, talent from both TNA and AEW who have called WWE have been told that they aren’t looking at hiring new people. The idea is that they have so many in developmental, many of whom are ready that they don’t need new people."
WWE and Fanatics Eye Netflix Podcast Expansion
A source told Front Office Sports that WWE and Fanatics plan to expand their podcast network, which currently includes shows hosted by Stephanie McMahon, Cody Rhodes, The Undertaker, and Logan Paul. The companies have recently vetted talent for new programming and are in discussions with Netflix about bringing WWE video podcasts to the streaming platform. This comes as Netflix aggressively expands its video podcast offerings with deals for Barstool Sports and iHeartMedia content.
Royal Rumble 2026 Start Time and Card Details
WrestleVotes reported that WWE’s Royal Rumble 2026 will start at 2 p.m. Eastern Time after internal debate. The early start accommodates the 10 p.m. local time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the event takes place on January 31. Per Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the show is tentatively planned as a four-match card featuring two Royal Rumble matches and two championship bouts, though the specific title matches have not been finalized.
