WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Daniel Bryan, Hulk Hogan and More

Not surprisingly, Daniel Bryan is dominating the WWE rumor mill following his retirement on Monday. Even rumblings of a potential Hulk Hogan return found themselves overshadowed by buzz about Bryan.

Bryan laid out a number of answers during his farewell speech on Monday's Raw, but there are still some lingering questions. How did the rest of the WWE crew respond to word of his exit? Did Bryan try to force his way out of WWE before this announcement?

A pair of backstage reports offers some insight into both items.

Other stories making the rounds include WWE's reported plans for Shinsuke Nakamura and the latest word on what's ahead for Braun Strowman. The big man may have a high-profile opponent awaiting him at SummerSlam.

The King of Strong Style to the Main Roster?

Nakamura is set to take on Sami Zayn at NXT TakeOver: Dallas. Will the company then use him as a way to boost NXT's profile a la Samoa Joe or is he poised to jump to WWE proper?

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc), WWE does plan on promoting Nakamura to the main roster but wants to use NXT as a way to transition him to the company. The report also noted that he is expected to use new entrance music, and it's not guaranteed that he will keep his name.

If this rumor turns out to be true, WWE will be making the absolute right move. Nakamura is too big of a star to not promote to the biggest stage available.

He's potentially WWE's next marquee star. As fun as it would be to see him engage in long rivalries at NXT with the likes of Finn Balor and Zayn, his place is at SummerSlam, the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania.

It looks as if WWE recognizes that but simply wants to work him into the mix after a stay at NXT.

Updates on Braun Strowman

Vince McMahon is high on Strowman despite his limitations. That much has been clear from all the reports coming out about the big man.

The latest pointed to McMahon coming to his senses, but only to a degree.

According to PWInsider.com (h/t Wrestle Zone), Strowman is improving, and sources told the site that the big man can do a lot more than we have seen him do on TV thus far. Additionally, the report noted that booking Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar around SummerSlam is being discussed. 

PWInsider.com (h/t Wrestling Inc) also reported that WWE may have already changed its mind about having Strowman face Undertaker. The company apparently caught wind of the negative reaction online to the bout and so decided to switch gears.

With a roster loaded with rising stars, it's baffling to think that WWE is reportedly considering wasting a Lesnar match at a premier event on a green, wooden giant.

Strowman has potential as a monster heel, but he isn't a top-level guy worthy of facing someone of Lesnar's caliber.

Hopefully, the report on Undertaker vs. Strowman being off is true. That match promised to be a flop, Giant Gonzales vs. The Deadman all over again.

Perhaps WWE allowed word of that potential bout to leak so it could gauge the audience's reaction.

Hulk Hogan and WWE Mending Fences?

Don't read much into the rumors surrounding Hogan and a potential return to WWE.

Looking at the report where they all started reveals nothing concrete. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestle Zone) reported that some of the people considering bringing in Hogan for an appearance noted that it seemed as if Hogan believed he would be back with WWE shortly, perhaps as early as WrestleMania.

There has been no word on that from WWE's end.

Evan Agostini/Associated Press

This sounds like The Hulkster simply being optimistic. He certainly wants to believe that his WWE exile will be over soon, but the company has made no indication that it has changed its mind.

In time, WWE will likely welcome back Hogan, but expect more time to pass. The sting of his racially charged comments that leaked last year is still too fresh.

Backstage Word on Bryan's Retirement

When Bryan tweeted on Monday afternoon that he was set to retire, the Internet caught fire with speculation of whether this was part of a storyline or he was only retiring to make his way to TNA or Ring of Honor.

But an impassioned speech cleared things up. This was real. He is done.

It appears, though, that Bryan wasn't sure of that just a few weeks back. According to F4WOnline (h/t Wrestling Inc), Bryan asked for his release, but WWE denied him. This was much like the scenario with Rey Mysterio recently. Bryan then reportedly underwent additional medical tests just before the Royal Rumble.

It looks like the results from those tests convinced Bryan to quit.

He had to be getting restless beforehand, as he was stuck in limbo. It's not hard to imagine him trying to wiggle out of his contract to go wrestle somewhere else. That is, until he realized the extent of his brain injuries.

Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com also added on Monday before Raw, "I was told that word spread today within WWE about Danielson [Daniel Bryan]. As of a few hours ago, the description was the mood was very somber backstage."

That's not surprising in the least. Everyone from Ryback to Vince McMahon, Hogan to John Cena had kind things to say about him. How could one not be down after seeing such a good person and hard worker no longer be able to do the thing he loves?