Mami's back and at the forefront of the pro wrestling rumor mill.

Rhea Ripley returned to Raw Monday night, just over three weeks before SummerSlam, and immediately intensified the ongoing storyline involving Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan.

Was this always part of the timetable and will she be a full-blown babyface moving forward, or will she continue to operate in shades of grey as a result of her affiliation with The Judgment Day?

A potential new opponent, Stephanie Vaquer, joins Ripley in this collection of rumors and innuendo, as does the latest on Adam Cole's return from injury and Daniel Garcia's contractual situation with AEW.

Update on Rhea Ripley's Return

Rhea Ripley returned on Monday's Raw, furiously stomping to the squared circle and chasing off Liv Morgan before confronting her beau, Dominik Mysterio.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that Ripley's return "had been discussed for a television return internally for almost a month." Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported that while the rest of The Judgment Day is listed on the heel side of internal rundowns, "Rhea Ripley is now listed as a babyface."

There was little choice but to book Ripley as a full-blown babyface. Not only did she have the sympathy of the fans who watched her relinquish her title due to a shoulder injury that forced her to the sidelines the week after WrestleMania XL, but she was the scorned lover returning to avenge the advanced Morgan had made on her on-screen love interest.

Ripley was already trending toward being a babyface as one of the most popular stars on the roster, too, thanks to fans' reaction to her work and undeniable aura.

Up next is the continuation of the storyline involving Morgan, the women's champion's revenge tour, and what it all means for Ripley's on-screen relationship with Mysterio.

Ripley is a legitimate star in WWE, someone who can headline a premium live event and a performer can be a centerpiece of a top storyline. Her return bolsters the Raw roster heading into SummerSlam, which is likely why top officials made the call to bring her back, even if she is not yet ready to return to the squared circle.

Stephanie Vaquer Was Backstage at NXT Heatwave

Former New Japan Pro-Wrestling STRONG women's champion Stephanie Vaquer has signed with WWE, as revealed Wednesday night by Shawn Michaels on X.

Before that news broke, Vaquer was backstage at NXT Heatwave in Toronto, Sapp reported.

The international star rose to prominence in CMLL and New Japan Pro-Wrestling before gaining more exposure at AEW's Forbidden Door pay-per-view, where she battled Mercedes Moné in one of the show's best matches.

Sapp stated in his report, "CMLL has allowed talent out of their deals when they've had big US offers" and revealed that Vaquer had pulled out her CMLL and NJPW bookings citing "personal reasons."

It is not surprising that WWE would want to sign Vaquer given her obvious talent. She was the star of the Moné match as she was highlighted throughout, thanks to a dominant middle portion.

Now, she will report to Orlando and the WWE Performance Center, where she will likely get her star with the company as a member of the NXT brand.

With the wealth of talent on that women's roster, she has the potential to further build her reputation with strong performances before blasting off to the main roster, where matches against Ripley, Bayley, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, and more await.

Latest on Adam Cole and His In-Ring Return

Adam Cole has been out of action since suffering a broken ankle at AEW's Dynamite: Grand Slam 2023 while attempting to help MJF in his world title match against Samoa Joe.

He has appeared as an on-screen character since, revealing himself to the mastermind behind the Devil storyline and even ate a big brainbuster from MJF as late as May's Double or Nothing pay-per-view.

He has not been able to return to the squared circle however.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required) reported that the former Ring of Honor and NXT world champion "still has a little time left out of action" but remains hopeful that "it's not much longer," (h/t Cageside Seats).

Cole was one of the biggest free agent signings in AEW history in August of 2021 and while he has had his fair share of moments in the promotion, has been hampered by significant injuries.

He suffered a pair of concussions in 2022 that threatened his career and was in the midst of the biggest storyline in the company before the ankle injury put him back on the sidelines.

Cole is one of the most celebrated performers of the last decade, thanks to his work in ROH and NXT, and still has plenty left to offer AEW when he is cleared to compete. Hopefully, that time is soon and he can resume a career that is already decorated with accomplishments and championship gold.

Daniel Garcia Update

Daniel Garcia is one of the most promising young stars on the AEW roster and after a brutal attack by MJF two weeks ago on Dynamite, appears poised to wrestle the biggest match of his career against the Salt of the Earth as soon as August 25 in Wembley Stadium at All In.

Meltzer reported (subscription required) that Garcia's contract is up in October unless he has already re-signed with the company.

Fightful Select's Sapp had previously reported that, "one top AEW name said that they don't believe he's going anywhere, and even think he's re-signed."

Garcia re-signing with AEW makes sense, both for him and the company.

One of the most talented technicians in the industry despite his relative youth, Garcia has already had the opportunity to work alongside the likes of Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, MJF, and Will Ospreay and clearly has the support of management, as based on this recent run.

A run he has earned through his strong performances against top stars.

He has established a connection with fans is on the precipice of a major push that would catapult him into world title contention. Leaving now and having to essentially start over would not make sense.

Garcia is as close to a homegrown talent as there is in the company. Seeing his run through is only appropriate, beginning with what will likely be a show-stealer against MJF, if it does in fact occur in London.