WWE: Backstage Update on “Big” Bronson Reed Distal Bicep Tear Injury & Return Plans, Brie Bella Provides Update on Broken Scapula Injury, Ilja Dragunov WWE Departure Update & More Talent Contracts Set To Expire By This October, New Giulia Trademark

Aug 20, 2026

Backstage Update on “Big” Bronson Reed Distal Bicep Tear Injury & Return Plans

As noted before, “Big” Bronson Reed has been out of action for WWE since this past February due to a distal bicep tear injury and surgery. Reed recently posted a photo on Twitter of his new muscular physique he has been working on while training for his eventual in-ring return to WWE.

WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that one source within WWE’s merchandise department stated that Reed’s name recently surfaced in talks backstage.

It was reported that WWE officials currently have plans for Reed to be presented as a main event-level heel when he returns from his injury.

In regards to a potential return date, Fightful reported that their sources stated that Reed is currently expected to be back “before long.”

Brie Bella Provides Update on Broken Scapula Injury

As noted before, WWE Hall of Famer Brie Bella has been out of action since WWE’s SummerSlam 2026 Night 1 event earlier this month due to a shoulder injury that was later revealed to be a broken scapula.

A recent episode of The Nikki & Brie Show podcast featured co-host Brie providing an update on her recovery from her broken scapula injury.

“I did start physical therapy. It was okay. It’s tough. Getting the arm out of the sling and trying to move around, I was like, ‘Holy…’ I’m doing all my exercises. I get my first X-ray this week or next week. I’ll be getting it every two weeks. In five weeks, going for my CT scan and we’ll see if the bones are fusing. Fingers crossed. If not, I don’t know what they’ll do.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Ilja Dragunov WWE Departure Update & More Talent Contracts Set To Expire By This October

As noted before, Ilja Dragunov’s contract with WWE recently expired and he is departing from the company.

The Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez reported that his sources stated that Dragunov and WWE officials had been strongly negotiating a return for him to WWE television as recently as this past June.

Alvarez reported that it is currently not known why talks between the two side did not lead to a return for Dragunov.

In a follow-up report, Alvarez reported that his sources stated that besides Dragunov, several other main roster talents who haven’t been on WWE television much of late currently have their contracts expiring by this October.

WWE Files New Giulia Trademark

WWE filed a new trademark for “Giulia” on August 18 for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Portion of trademark filing:

IC 041: Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment.