Here's your WWE Rumor Roundup for Saturday, December 21, 2025, featuring the latest backstage news and speculation from around the wrestling world.
WWE Implements Hiring Freeze, Turns Away TNA & AEW Talent
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE has recently informed wrestlers from both TNA and AEW that the company is not actively looking to bring in new talent at this time. "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," Dave reported. The belief internally is that WWE's developmental pipeline is already stacked with performers who are either main roster-ready or very close to it, making outside signings largely unnecessary for the moment. The reported hiring freeze is not absolute—Meltzer clarified that exceptions could still be made for truly elite performers like Chris Jericho or Leon Slater.
Trick Williams Officially Called Up to SmackDown
According to Bodyslam.net, former TNA World Champion Trick Williams has officially been called up to the WWE main roster and is now listed internally on the SmackDown brand. Williams appeared in a backstage segment during the December 26 SmackDown taping, where he confronted WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. The two-time NXT Champion has not competed in NXT since the November 18 episode, when he lost an Iron Survivor Qualifying Match to Myles Borne. Williams is engaged to Lash Legend, who is also on the SmackDown roster.
WWE Offers Contracts to NJPW IWGP Tag Team Champions
WWE has made contract offers to Yuto-Ice and Oskar, better known as the Knockout Brothers in NJPW, according to Self Made. The duo currently holds the IWGP Tag Team Championships after defeating Taichi and Tomohiro Ishii at Destruction in Kobe in September. Multiple sources have confirmed to Self Made Pro that WWE is still very much looking "everywhere" for talent recruitment, including international markets, particularly to bolster their tag team division. The Knockout Brothers advanced to the semi-finals of the 2025 World Tag League before falling to Gabe Kidd and Yota Tsuji, cementing their status as top-tier talent.
Jacob Fatu Expected to Return Soon After Dental Procedure
According to Fightful, Jacob Fatu is expected to make his WWE return soon after being sidelined with a dental issue. The Samoan Werewolf was written off television on the October 17 episode of SmackDown after being found backstage in a pool of blood with teeth scattered on the concrete floor. Per the report, Fatu's absence was due to a legitimate dental procedure that required him to take time off for recovery. Backstage sources at Survivor Series indicated that Fatu could be back on the road within the next few weeks, though no exact date has been confirmed. The former United States Champion's return will be a major boost for SmackDown heading into Royal Rumble season.
Nikki Bella/Cooper DeJean Dating Rumors
Social media erupted this week after WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella posted an Instagram video from her trip to Philadelphia that included footage of her posing in Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean's locker and celebrating with the 22-year-old after the team's 31-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The 42-year-old Bella and DeJean have been spotted together at multiple WWE events since August, including Raw tapings in Philadelphia. However, on The Nikki & Brie Show podcast, Bella seemingly dismissed the dating speculation, revealing she hasn't been romantically involved with anyone recently and joked that she hasn't even kissed anyone "in a long time." Neither Bella nor DeJean have officially commented on the nature of their relationship.