WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Goldberg, John Cena and More

Goldberg snarling in a video game commercial and staring at a Suplex City sign was enough to get WWE fans buzzing about the powerhouse's potential return to the ring. Speculation surged hours after the ad aired.

But this looks to be a case of excitement getting in the way of reality. One backstage report pointed to Goldberg's contract not being the kind many fans are hoping for.

As for John Cena, it's WWE plans for him that are the subject of one of the latest rumors. He is poised to be a key figure in the upcoming brand split.

Other rumors touched on more changes with the roster, why Summer Rae's been out of action and what may have influenced WWE to bring back the brand split.

Raw and SmackDown Plans

On Monday's Raw, Shane and Stephanie McMahon told The New Day that nothing's been decided regarding the brand split set for next month. There is likely an air of truth to that, but WWE has apparently been discussing the idea of having one key chess piece head to Tuesday nights.

F4WOnline.com reported (h/t Wrestle Zone) that WWE wants to put SmackDown on the same level as Raw. That could include having Cena move to the blue brand. The report also noted that USA Network's unhappiness with SmackDown's ratings may have led to the brand split.

WWE wanting to elevate SmackDown is welcome news.

The show has been a distant second to Raw in prestige for years. Making Cena a SmackDown-exclusive Superstar would certainly have a hand in offsetting that. He would give the show star power, and pairing him with some of WWE's newer faces would be a winning formula.

More Roster-Trimming?

Damien Sandow, Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes are now all gone. Whether the releases were requested or simply expected, they came down several times over during the past weeks.

It's hard to imagine, but there may be more on the way.

According to PWInsider (h/t PWMania.com), there are rumors of more releases coming. Some talent is reportedly under the impression that there will be more cuts.

Normally, one wouldn't be surprised by this. Low-rung wrestlers like Jack Swagger rarely appear on TV. But that changes with the brand split coming.

WWE will suddenly have to divide its roster between two shows. It's going to need Swagger, Mark Henry and the like. Why wouldn't the company wait to see how things play out with Raw and SmackDown being separate entities first before deciding on who it does and doesn't need?

However, the rumored cuts could involve behind-the-scenes personnel instead.

Summer Rae's Quiet Return

As seen on CageMatch.net, Summer returned to the house show circuit in late May after missing about a month of action. WWE never announced why she was gone, but she may have been suffering from a concussion.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t F4WOnline, Wrestling Inc), she was injured during WWE's European tour—possibly with a concussion, although that was never confirmed.

Credit: WWE.com

WWE has been quiet about injuries of late. The company still hasn't announced what sent Luke Harper to the disabled list, for example.

One would expect even more of a tight-lipped approach if it was indeed a head injury. WWE is in the midst of lawsuits over concussions, so it minimizing news on that front wouldn't be surprising.

Regardless of what was ailing her, there's no need to rush her back. The company is having enough trouble showcasing more than three or four women at a time. It would be better to wait until the upcoming WWE draft to bring her back into the fold.

Goldberg's Deal

Don't read into Goldberg's appearance in the WWE 2K17 commercial that premiered on Monday's Raw. Some fans will view this as a precursor to him returning to action. Some will take him looking at a Suplex City sign as a hint of a future rematch with Brock Lesnar.

Nothing points to any of that so far.

Wrestling Observer Radio noted (h/t F4WOnline, Wrestling Inc) that Goldberg's deal is with 2K Sports rather than WWE. The report mentioned that Vince McMahon would have to sign off on it, but there is no word on there being a wrestling-related contract in the works.

Goldberg has been a harsh critic of WWE for years. He hasn't wrestled in 12 years. A comeback isn't impossible, but it's not something anyone should be counting on.

Instead, fans will have to settle for controlling the powerhouse via their video game controllers.