Who is up next for Cody Rhodes as he prepares to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship in his hometown of Atlanta at Bad Blood on October 5?

The answer to that question is at the forefront of this collection of wrestling rumors, which also includes the latest on Bret Hart's appearance on Raw, a potential return to WWE, and the status of free agents Bobby Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin.

Reception to Bret Hart's Raw Appearance

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the reception backstage to Bret Hart on Monday was positive and that he was treated very nicely by all, including Triple H.

The Hitman and the WWE chief content officer have a sordid history, dating back to The Game's involvement with the Kliq in the 1990s, so there was plenty of intrigue surrounding how they would get along upon Hart's return to the company.

As Meltzer noted, everything was business-like and respectful, with Triple H likely recognizing the importance of having Hart in the fold.

The Hitman's appearance on Raw was the first time he has appeared on-screen in WWE since he sat ringside at Clash at the Castle in Cardiff, Wales in September 2022.

The second-generation Superstar and five-time WWE champion is one of the most respected and beloved competitors in company history. He was respected and idolized by many in the locker room and is the inspiration for countless others, including CM Punk.

His style has shaped Superstars in WWE and All Elite Wrestling so to see him back on television, getting the love that he did from fans in his hometown of Calgary, made for a special moment.

Update on Cody Rhodes' Bad Blood Match

Meltzer also revealed on WOR that Solo Sikoa is not expected to be the challenger for the undisputed WWE title at Bad Blood in Atlanta, but it could be Jacob Fatu.

Sikoa will challenge The American Nightmare for the championship on SmackDown's USA Network debut Friday night. Rhodes, on the other hand, expressed his desire to square off with Fatu on the September 6 episode, only to see his request ignored by the self-proclaimed "Tribal Chief."

Rhodes vs. Fatu would be an excellent main event, at least based on everything else we have seen out of the champion during this title reign, but one has to wonder if it is too early to run with that match at this point.

Fatu is special, the type of monster who can be built up for months, wreaking havoc and becoming more dangerous with every passing match.

Hot-shotting his title opportunity when it could easily be a significant part of the build to WrestleMania 41 would appear to be a mistake, but knowing the creative forces in place in WWE right now, the likelihood is that plans for every major PLE leading into the biggest show of the year are already laid out and intricately plotted.

If it does end up being Rhodes vs. Fatu, it would place the former in peril and force him to be the resilient champion he has been since winning the title and in front of an overwhelmingly positive audience in his hometown.

Raquel Rodriguez Update

Mike Johnson of PWInsider Elite reported that creative pitches for Raquel Rodriguez have been made, suggesting a return is near (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats).

Rodriguez has not appeared on WWE television since February's Elimination Chamber PLE, when she competed in the same-titled women's match, which was won by Becky Lynch.

The second-generation star revealed shortly after on social media that she had Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and had several months of treatment ahead before she could return to the squared circle.

The 33-year-old has a rich history with both Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, serving as tag team partners and opponents of each during her main roster run. A scenario in which she reunites with Morgan to oppose Ripley would make sense given the fact that The Eradicator cost both the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship when she injured Morgan.

It would also provide Mami with an obstacle to overcome instead of running over Morgan in short order and reclaiming her title when there is still plenty of time to build to that moment.

Bobby Lashley and Co. in AEW?

Bobby Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin have had talks with AEW about coming in under the name "The Hurt Syndicate," Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported.

The trio, along with Cedric Alexander, experienced some of its greatest success in WWE during the pandemic era as The Hurt Business and had hoped to reunite in the company before plans were nixed.

With all three free from their contracts with the company, the opportunity is there for Tony Khan to capitalize on their star power and bring the group to AEW to bolster the roster.

How they would be utilized on a roster that is already brimming with talent is a fair question, but one would have to assume Khan would quickly find something for a star the magnitude of Lashley to do, be it in the world title picture or elsewhere.

Benjamin is also one of the most respected talents in the world, so AEW fans would welcome him with open arms.

How MVP fits in, and whether there would be any wrestling in his future, would be another question, and the difference between singles runs for the others or a trios run for the group as a whole.