Backstage Update On Cain Velasquez's WWE Contract Status
Has the former UFC Heavyweight Champion finally signed a full-time deal?
Cain Velasquez debuted to a strong response on this week's WWE SmackDown season premiere on FOX, confronting former UFC rival Brock Lesnar after 'The Beast Incarnate's' squash of WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, with his ground and pound forcing Lesnar to flee the ring and retreat up the ramp.
This came following a week of reports suggesting that the former UFC Heavyweight Champion had been negotiating with both AEW and WWE, though it soon emerged that Velasquez hadn't actually signed for WWE yet.
Dave Meltzer brought an update on the situation during a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. He stated that although we're still awaiting official confirmation, his SmackDown appearance makes it almost certain that Cain has already signed with WWE, as the company probably wouldn't have run such an angle otherwise.
On top of this, Meltzer adds that WWE pulled their original contract offer when it went public earlier in the week, though they clearly went back on this decision.
WWE's current plans call for Lesnar and Velasquez to go head-to-head at Crown Jewel on 31 October. It'll be interesting to see if their worked fight is as compelling as their shoot one was.