Fightful's Debunkathon and News Extravaganza: Steve Austin, Backstage at TNA, Andrade, Jay White, MORE

Welcome to Fightful Select's Friday tradition: the news roundup and RUMOR DEBUNKATHON.

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• The blurred face in the TNA backstage photo congratulating Mike Santana was Delirious, aka Hunter Johnston.

• When we asked WWE sources about BodySlam.net's report of Def Rebel being on their "final contract," a WWE rep on background said that everyone is technically on their final contract and can be extended or renewed.

• Tony Khan confirmed our Fightful Select report that there were discussions for an AEW training center in Asheville, North Carolina.

• In addition to the AEW roster page, Jack Perry is "Jungle" Jack Perry internally.

• Regarding Jay White's "ready?" tweet, most people around him still expect him to be out for a while.

• We're told the Team 3D/Dudley Boyz retirement element of the Bound For Glory match had been planned for months.

• Cyrus Kowsari said publicly that he was hired to be Senior Director of Creative Strategy in WWE. Triple H says he will lead WWE's transition to AI based storytelling and help add AI into video and graphics.

• Despite being injured, KC Navarro was backstage at TNA Bound For Glory. Deonna Purrazzo was also there.

• AEW is being very careful about what they say about Andrade. Producers were told to not include him in the show, social media was told to not post about him, and commentators were told to not reference him on TV.

• We're told there are conversations about possibly doing a 7 PM start time for Raw again for a couple of December and January episodes, but nothing is for sure.

• Sources that Fightful Select spoke to in WWE expect to be without Seth Rollins in ring for a while.

• In regards to Steve Austin's podcast coming back, we're told it is more than likely happening on a WWE digital platorm

Elsewhere

• Bodyslam.net has reported that Jacob Fatu is battling a non-wrestling injury that could keep him out until 2026.

• One of the most batshit, insane excerpts from the Observer Newlsetter ever: "During the height of the Epstein Files scandal, a White House press office official texted a major WWE official and people in the company were told by Levesque that Heyman’s promo on Lesnar’s return, where he said, “Mohammed was criticized. Jesus was criticized. FDR was criticized. Brock Lesnar was criticized,.” was said to be part of the inspiration for the response the party made. "

• Wrestling Observer also said that John Cena beating Dominik Mysterio for the IC Title at Survivor Series is in play. Fightful has heard that there have been some other significant alternate plans for John Cena considered, with WWE creative shifting.

• WRKD Wrestling said that NXT callups will be happening in short order.

DEBUNKATHON!!

• Perhaps one of the dumbest ass rumors I've ever seen was from Suplex News, saying that Ricky Starks and The Rock would have a meeting following a "backstage incident" with "Ava Raine." Her name hasn't been "Raine" for years, and the post is a lie.

• There were accounts pretending as if The Rock seriously mentioned himself as John Cena's final opponent. He was joking.

• The Rock also didn't say he was involved in booking the match. He said he has a little influence.

• To reiterate again, despite what this fraud catfish account says, there aren't ongoing talks between WWE and Britt Baker

• Sportskeeda has posted slop "3 signs that indicate Dean Ambrose will return to WWE." Well, one of the signs he isn't is that he still has over two years left on his contract.