Drew McIntyre and Joe Hendry linked to returns as Bayley contract and John Cena Classic rumors surface
Drew McIntyre and Joe Hendry have been connected to imminent WWE returns after filming wrapped on a WWE live-action ReelShort project in Los Angeles, and the company's handling of Bayley's status and plans for a John Cena Classic were among the items in a WWE Rumor Roundup published on August 30, 2026.
The roundup collected reports from outlets including PWInsider and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter to outline a series of backstage developments and creative directions circulating on social media and among wrestling reporters. PWInsider reported that production on the ReelShort microdrama has finished in Los Angeles, a development linked to potential increases in television appearances for talent involved. Dave Meltzer's notes in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter formed the basis for reporting on Bayley's contract situation and other creative plans. The edition also flagged scheduling and broadcast questions around a proposed John Cena Classic.
PWInsider's report on the ReelShort project said production wrapped in Los Angeles, a situation that could allow Drew McIntyre to resume more regular WWE television appearances. The roundup noted McIntyre has been absent from programming since WrestleMania 42, where he was defeated by Jacob Fatu in an Unsanctioned Match, and contrasted that with Jacob Fatu's recent return to RAW alongside The Bloodline. Joe Hendry's return was also documented: he reappeared during the pre-taping of the August 31 edition of Raw in Cleveland, Ohio, on the Friday before the roundup's publication.
Dave Meltzer reported that WWE's ongoing references to Bayley suggest officials expect her to remain with the company and believe she will sign a new contract; the report does not state that Bayley has already signed a new deal, only that the promotion expects her to do so. That framing was presented as the promotion's internal assumption rather than confirmation of a completed agreement.
On the proposed John Cena Classic, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter said the promotion is eyeing December 12 for the inaugural event, although the date has not been officially locked in and no platform has been confirmed. The proposed date creates a potential clash with Wrestlepalooza: Perth, which is already announced for December 12 at RAC Arena in Australia; WWE is scheduled to host SmackDown at the same venue on December 11 and RAW on December 14. The promotion has not revealed where the John Cena Classic would take place, who would compete, how the show would be structured, or where it would be broadcast.
Meltzer also described the main-roster arrival of OTM (Bronco Nima and Lucien Price) as being presented in a manner comparable to the debuts of The Nexus and The Shield, with the new alliance immediately woven into major storylines. He noted the idea of pairing Royce Keys with OTM emerged about a month ago and that the new trio could eventually be involved in a WarGames match. Prior plans to separate Nima and Price were abandoned after Jeremy Borash explored sending Nima to AAA to join Los Perros Del Mal and NXT began developing a split storyline; AAA began writing Nima out of that angle and WWE instead kept Nima and Price together, bringing them to the main roster where they allied with Keys during their RAW debut to form a faction.
For now, December 12 is being treated as the working date for the John Cena Classic, WWE has not confirmed a broadcast partner, and officials are reportedly operating under the expectation that Bayley will re-sign while Drew McIntyre could return to more regular television work now that the ReelShort filming in Los Angeles is complete.