WWE: Backstage Update on WWE’s Interest in Brock Rechsteiner, Backstage Update on Royce Keys Injury Angle at 8/3 WWE RAW Show, WWE SVP of Global Strategy & Creative Operations Departure Update, New Trademark

Aug 8, 2026

Backstage Update on WWE’s Interest in Brock Rechsteiner

As noted before, Brock Rechsteiner, son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner, is believed to have been signed to a WWE NIL deal since January of 2025. Rechsteiner was drafted by the New Orleans Saints at this past April’s 2026 NFL Draft event but he is currently suspended for the first six games of the 2026 season due to him recently violating the NFL-NFLPA’s performance-enhancing substances policy.

Fightful Select reported that one WWE higher-up official source stated that they were excited about the prospect of the Rechsteiner joining their company in the future. This same source spoken to reportedly stated that they believe Rechsteiner’s recent suspension in the NFL won’t hinder that prospect and there is a “99.9 percent chance” of WWE offering him a contract once his NFL career is done.

It was reported that WWE officials have had their eyes on Rechsteiner since his college football career days. It was also reported that WWE officials currently do not expect Rechsteiner to participate in a tryout and are willing to sign him outright to a contract. It was also reported that Rechsteiner is believed to have communicated to WWE that he would be interested in a pro wrestling career with the company whenever the time comes.

Backstage Update on Royce Keys Injury Angle at 8/3 WWE RAW Show

This past Monday’s WWE RAW show in Des Moines, Iowa featured Jacob Fatu defeating Royce Keys in a Street Fight match. This match was notable for a post-match angle involve Fatu attacking and bloodying Keys after repeated running hip attacks into the corner with the last one involving Fatu wrapping a chair around Keys’ neck.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the reason for the post-match beatdown angle by Fatu was simply just for storyline reasons and not WWE officials writing out Keys as a way to cover for a legitimate injury.

WWE SVP of Global Strategy & Creative Operations Departure Update

As noted before, Patrick Dooley, WWE SVP of Global Strategy & Creative Operations, had “quietly” departed from WWE this past July.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources confirmed that Dooley had departed from WWE.

Those spoken to reportedly stated that this decision came from above WWE at the Ari Emanuel-Mark Shapiro level of TKO Group. Those spoken to reportedly also stated that there was a general surprised reaction over Dooley’s departure from the company.

WWE Files New Trademark

WWE filed a new trademark for “The Mike” on August 7 for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

This is the nickname that Pat McAfee had given to The Miz in a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show after The Miz had confronted Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, who also goes by the same “The Miz” nickname.

I am The Miz! The Mike will NOT become a thing!!!! https://t.co/p3EI4D7JLg
— The Miz (@mikethemiz) August 7, 2026

Portion of trademark filing:

“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.”