WWE & AEW Rumours: WWE Using AI For Storytelling, AEW Not Mentioning Andrade On TV, Backstage Reaction To Brock Lesnar

It is a pretty wild day for reports and rumors across both WWE and AEW, with the October 18 rundown featuring an array of topics such as WWE’s use of AI in storylines, The White House taking inspiration from WWE, AEW stopping Andrade’s being mentioned, and much more!

WWE To Integrate AI Into Creative Process

WWE is set to potentially enter a new era of storytelling per a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and it isn’t good news for aspiring writers. It is noted that a new Senior Director of Creative Strategy was hired, and with this has come the beginning of an integration of AI into the creative process in WWE, expanding from videos and graphics to storytelling. WWE now reportedly has a contract with Writer AI, which has been fed WWE content to inform storymaking decisions. However, the Observer revealed that it pitched a storyline involving AEW talent Bobby Lashley in which he became obsessed with Japanese culture, despite him not being on the WWE roster. 

Internally, it is believed that once any bugs are sorted out then the AI system will begin having a big effect on WWE programming. There is fear of AI taking jobs within WWE, and there has also been a belief from some that those in power at TKO don’t have an understanding of the fundamentals of pro wrestling storytelling. 

WWE Bragging About Being Inspiration For White House Response To Jeffrey Epstein Files Scandal

The White House has made several big responses to the Jeffrey Epstein files scandal over the last few months, though it seems as though some of the responses given have been inspired by the WWE, with the company bragging about one promo in particular that those in the White House used to inform their statements. 

It is stated by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that someone in the White House press office texted a big WWE official and told them that Paul Heyman’s recent promo about the controversial Brock Lesnar in which he compared The Beast to names like Mohammed and Jesus in terms of them all receiving criticism, was part of the inspiration behind the Republican’s response. 

AEW Staff Told Not To Mention Andrade

After Andrade’s return to AEW programming shocked fans following his WWE exit, news emerged of Andrade reportedly in breach of the non-compete clause in his WWE contract - something multiple parties were unaware of due to him being fired outright. In light of this, there has been talk of this contract preventing Andrade from wrestling elsewhere for an entire year.

Fightful Select have reported that AEW have told producers and staff to not speak of Andrade at all, with commentators not allowed to mention him and for him to not appear in video packages, social media posts, or elsewhere. WWE reportedly sent AEW a cease and desist following his return on Dynamite a few weeks back. 

Unhappiness Within WWE Over Brock Lesnar Being Brought Back

Brock Lesnar returned to WWE programming at SummerSlam 2025 after two years away from the company, in which time he was named in the ongoing sex trafficking lawsuit involving Vince McMahon and former WWE employee Janel Grant. When it comes to the response from those in WWE, feelings were mixed about Lesnar’s comeback, per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

Nearly everyone was kept in the dark about the return, with there being negativity especially from WWE’s female staff, one of whom was stated to be “disgusted”. When it comes to Lesnar’s work in WWE thus far, there are many who believe he didn’t move the needle outside of a big pop upon his return, and many held the opinion that his segment with R-Truth on SmackDown was so bad that it was embarrassing. 

Vince McMahon ‘Widely Hated’ Within WWE

WWE has steadily been mentioning Vince McMahon a little more often on programming, after his name seemed to be previously blacklisted after his exit from the company. Although a fair few current WWE stars attended his recent birthday party, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has revealed that McMahon is still “widely hated” within WWE by almost everyone. 

That being said, the recent releases of Kylie Rae and Ridge Holland, who are pregnant and injured respectively, would not have happened under Vince McMahon due to him valuing loyalty. 

Why WWE Released Wes Lee

One of the biggest and more notable WWE releases over the last couple of weeks is that of Wes Lee, who was a standout name throughout his NXT career and a former NXT North American Champion. Despite him still being just 30 years of age, WWE made the decision to cut him from the roster. Per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the decision to fire him came due to the fact that those on the main roster simply had no plans to use him.

One person in WWE noted that Wes Lee has been ready for a call-up for five years, but the main roster has just had no interest in calling him up and using him, so it became pointless keeping him on board in the face of newer and younger names coming into the developmental system. 

WWE Plans For Chris Jericho Revealed

There has been plenty of talk about Chris Jericho’s future in recent months, with the former AEW World Champion being absent from programming amid his contract reportedly running down. When it comes to the belief within WWE, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has noted that the belief is that Jericho will be coming in for a retirement tour and a Hall Of Fame induction. 

There were also recent discussions of an AJ Styles retirement tour in 2026.