The pro wrestling rumor mill in early October tends to settle down just a little with some of the bigger events to finish the year farther out.

But not this October.

No, this October, WWE's Bad Blood is a heavyweight event in its own right, mostly because of that blood feud between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre and fan speculation that a guy named The Rock might walk back through the door to throw his weight around with Roman Reigns and the Bloodline.

There are major happenings across the board, though, whether it's a big star's eventual return to AEW, Becky Lynch buzz and even a slight rumbling when it comes to Brock Lesnar.

Busy might be an understatement at this point. Here's a look at the most notable rumors and whether fans should buy or sell on each.

AEW Star Return Soon?

Let the rumor mill tell it, Adam Cole is on his way back to AEW quite soon.

So says a report from Fightful Select (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats) that says Cole should be back "sooner than later," hence creative firing up ideas for his return.

That would seem to make some sense, as Cole has been on the shelf for roughly a year after suffering a broken ankle. It was a horrific time for an injury, too, given his super-hot storyline with MJF that appeared only to be getting more compelling.

AEW has tried to sprinkle Cole into programming and stories at rare times over the duration of his absence, which has been longer than usual, presumably due to the severity of the injury. It would be easy enough to see him getting right back after MJF in some way, or getting with someone like Wardlow.

But if the mill is firing up now in a way that isn't talking about the severity and the like, never mind it's been roughly a year, then it feels like a buy.

Verdict: Buying

Brock Lesnar Update?

Is the Brock Lesnar hiatus about to end?

Lesnar has been off WWE programming since 2023's SummerSlam (that strange feud with Cody Rhodes). As recently as August, it was reported by Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Headlines' Joseph Galizia) that he would remain out until WWE's legal team approves his involvement after the Janel Grant lawsuit.

According to Slice Wrestling, WWE officials are now more willing than in the past to bring Lesnar back to programming.

This one feels like a sell, though. Even when strictly looking at things from a WWE booking perspective, the need for part-timers involved near the top of cards just isn't there. The new era under Triple H has been so strong that even yanking Lesnar back on stage might not be worth it for a showdown with someone like Gunther when it could go to another rising star like Bron Breakker.

Verdict: Selling

Bad Blood Early Start Explained?

WWE is bound to catch some fans off guard over the weekend with the Bad Blood PLE.

It does, after all, start at 6 p.m. ET, up two hours from normal start times.

That's an unexpected change, with Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News) reporting that WWE wants to be in the clear of UFC 307's start time.

A WWE PLE occupying the same night as a UFC pay-per-view event makes this reason enough for a buy. While there isn't much concern about an audience crossover when WWE goes up against NFL, NBA or other sports, there is obviously big crossover with UFC events that have a PLE feel.

It could be a good thing for WWE, too, leading to a well-paced show that wraps things up neatly on time.

Verdict: Buying

Becky Lynch Contract Buzz

Becky Lynch's status as a possible free agent has captivated pro wrestling fans for a few months now.

A new rumor, though, suggests there's nothing to it.

According to WrestleVotes Radio (h/t Rajah.com's Jeff Whalen), Lynch still appears on WWE's internal rosters, which could suggest that an extension of her contract has already been signed.

This is an interesting one. Lynch appearing on the sheets could be mere due diligence. Heck, it could be negligence. It probably doesn't mean a contract extension has been signed one way or the other.

That said, we're buying that Lynch will re-up with WWE when what Triple H has called a "hiatus" is over. The reasons are many, but she simply feels like a WWE-lifer with plenty left to do in the promotion when she's ready.

Verdict: Buying

Bobby Lashley Next to Aew?

Bobby Lashley is the last major piece of the puzzle for a Hurt Business revival in AEW.

MVP and Shelton Benjamin are already there. Fightful Select (h/t Ortman) reported that Lashley's debut will happen soon while also hinting that the trio signed deals weeks prior to the other two's debuts.

It makes too much sense to sell. Lashley is the biggest, literally and figuratively and holding his surprise debut for last would generate the most hype for fans. They might even be able to play it into a storyline, such as another faction getting after MVP and Benjamin for being outnumbered.

No matter how they do it, Lashley towering over the rest of the AEW roster feels like a matter of time.

Verdict: Buying