Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on The Bloodline, United Empire and Mason Rook

The wrestling rumor mill continues to churn out reports on top stars across both WWE and All Elite Wrestling, including The Bloodline and its role at Money in the Bank—if it has one at all.

Dive deeper into the latest on The Usos and Jacob Fatu, AEW's introduction of United Empire, and an update on NXT star Mason Rook in this collection of reports from top industry insiders.

In recent weeks, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu have been abducted or taken out by the 946.

WrestleVotes provided an update as to why that has been the case creatively, reporting on WrestleVotes Live for Fightful Select that this is being done to explain their absence at Money in the Bank in New Orleans.

They noted that the goal is to give Roman Reigns no backup for his match with LA Knight so they can settle that rivalry definitively. The report also suggests The Usos could be next to be written off as the premium live event approaches on October 10.

A key theme of The OTC's world heavyweight title reign has been his ability to retain the championship cleanly, a contrast with the interference-heavy defenses of his previous run.

Reigns won the title from CM Punk on his own and has since successfully defended it against Fatu, Seth Rollins and Penta in great matches and without any help.

Considering Knight's point of contention with Reigns is how his family helped The Tribal Chief beat him in their first meeting, it makes sense that the intent here would be to take the possibility of Bloodline interference off the table, all while continuing to tell the WarGames-ready rivalry between the family and the 946.

How Can Will Ospreay Use United Empire in AEW?

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, Will Ospreay has been permitted to use the United Empire name because New Japan Pro-Wrestling does not own it, unlike the Bullet Club name.

Sapp wrote: "Sources that Fightful spoke to pointed to the fact that Ospreay himself trademarked the name in April of this year with the help of Michael Dockins. There were a number of sources familiar with the situation who confirmed Ospreay does own the name and has the freedom to use it however he wants."

Ospreay has introduced his own version of the group to AEW, with members including Andrade El Idolo, "Speedball" Mike Bailey, and The Brawling Birds' Alex Windsor and Jamie Hayter.

Given United Empire's importance to Ospreay's career, its continuation in AEW is a fitting development for the new AEW world champion. It also gives him allies amid AEW's faction-heavy landscape, which includes The Death Riders, The Elite and The Don Callis Family.

Byan Alvarez reported on Wrestling Observer Live that few people know what is going on with Mason Rook and that the popular NXT star may be out of action for a while.

NXT's social media account reported on Tuesday that Rook was not medically cleared to compete.

The Englishman responded to the announcement on his own social media:

The 29-year-old was headed toward a showdown with Grayson Waller over the NXT Championship based on recent creative, so his sudden absence is a huge blow for the performer and the brand itself.

Rook's long-term health should take priority, and the situation will be worth monitoring as WWE provides further updates.

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