Cody Rhodes defeated Kevin Owens to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship at Bash in Berlin on Saturday, leaving fans to ask one question: What's next for The American Nightmare?

According to industry insiders, we know what isn't.

That topic headlines a collection of internet wrestling rumors that also looks at the behind-the-scenes info on Giulia's NXT debut, a reduction of house shows on the WWE schedule, and the latest on Bryan Danielson's All Out pay-per-view title defense against Jack Perry.

Cody Rhodes' Bad Blood Plans

Despite Michael Cole saying as much on commentary after Cody Rhodes' victory over Kevin Owens in Germany, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE is not planning to book the undisputed WWE champion against Solo Sikoa at Bad Blood on October 5.

That is probably for the best as their SummerSlam match was the worst of Rhodes' otherwise excellent run as champion and he does not need to be intertwined in the Bloodline feud.

That should be exclusively reserved for Roman Reigns at this point, at least until The Rock is ready to return and put into motion whatever it is WWE has planned for him and Rhodes entering WrestleMania 41 season.

There is more story to tell with Owens, who Rhodes defeated cleanly after The Prizefighter failed to find his killer instinct and deliver the apron powerbomb that likely would have netted him the title.

Telling that story benefits both men in a way the Sikoa feud would not and gives Rhodes the spotlight heading into a show based in his hometown of Atlanta.

Internal Reaction to Giulia

The mood in the NXT women's division changed Sunday night at No Mercy with the arrival of Giulia, who wasted little time expressing her intent to challenge Roxanne Perez for the women's title.

Fightful Select's Corey Brennan wrote: "WWE had big plans for a Giulia and Roxanne Perez matchup dating all the way back to NXT Stand And Deliver, where Giulia was shown in the crowd prior to Perez's title win over Lyra Valkyria."

Brennan could not say with certainty that Perez was kept out of the loop regarding Giulia's debut, but given how other surprises have been handled by NXT management, it would not be surprising.

The insider added: "Giulia's hard date for beginning with NXT was said to be No Mercy, allowing her to finish off her Marigold dates, including her final date that was added in order for her to compete in a gauntlet match against anyone who wanted to wrestle her before she left."

The Japanese star is a potential game-changer for NXT; she is a performer whose in-ring work speaks for itself and whose aura will help win over fans in a promotion where presentation is key. She figures to be the face of the women's division alongside Perez for the foreseeable future before becoming a major name on Raw or SmackDown.

It will be interesting to see if WWE puts the title on her right away, booking her to defeat Perez in Chicago as part of the gold brand's debut on The CW Network, or if it makes her work for the title a little longer.

Either way, she will likely be a champion before the end of the year and establish herself as the central figure in a stacked division.

Reduction of WWE House Shows

WWE appears to be reducing the number of house shows on the schedule, and talent is not upset about it.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported: "Though talent haven't explicitly been told that house shows are being cut back, they've noticed the trends and have unanimously told Fightful they're in favor of the reduced schedule."

Remaining on the domestic schedule for 2024 are stops in Columbus, Georgia and Huntsville, Alabama in September ahead of a UK and Ireland tour. There is nothing else scheduled in the U.S. until December's highly profitable holiday tour.

It's not surprising that talent is in favor of a reduced schedule, if for no other reason than the amount of overseas travel that has gone into the schedule thus far in 2024 alone. There have been events in Australia, France, Saudi Arabia, Scotland and Berlin so far this year.

Adding that much more international travel to the equation may create a desire from talent to jump on planes and travel all over the United States for shows that were not televised.

It also helps preserve bodies and reduce injuries, keeping Superstars more readily available when needed to start TV programs or high-profile storylines leading into PLEs.

The business has evolved and, outside of the fans' desire to see the performers in a more unfiltered environment, there is no need for more house shows at this point.

Latest on Bryan Danielson vs. Jack Perry

Sapp also reported that, while Bryan Danielson will have input on who his final matches as a full-time performer will be against, it is an "AEW call."

Since his return earlier this year, it's been clear that Jack Perry has been one of Tony Khan's projects. From the presentation of the Scapegoat gimmick to his introduction to The Elite and the one-sided victory over Darby Allin at All In, everything has been pointing to a significant run for the TNT champion.

That includes, apparently, a world title matchup against Danielson on pay-per-view.

The two will clash Saturday at All Out in a contest that will likely end up being the best of Perry's career as Danielson has a tendency to deliver those matches for his opponent.

How The Scapegoat hangs with one of the best to ever lace a pair of boots could ultimately determine what the future holds for the 27-year-old and what he can accomplish.

Perry has a history of performing up to the moment but thus far in his heel run, it has been evident that he is a better babyface performer. Time, and Saturday's PPV, will tell if he can bring the goods in one of the final matches of Danielson's storied career.