WWE Rumors: Buzz on Road to WWE SummerSlam 2016 for Week of July 28

Returning faces, veterans committing to new contracts and the explosive start to WWE's life after the brand split dominate this week's rumor roundup. 

The first editions of both Raw and SmackDown Live are in the can, and both of them offered up intriguing contenders for the company's two world titles.

On SmackDown, Dolph Ziggler emerged from the shadows to become the challenger for Dean Ambrose's WWE Championship. And on Raw, Finn Balor's debut saw him advance to a huge match against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam to determine the first holder of the new WWE Universal Championship.

Beyond that, though, there is still plenty to discuss. Here's what is being speculated online concerning WWE this week.

Jinder Mahal Returning to WWE

SmackDown saw the confirmation of Shelton Benjamin's return to the company. He was expected to be one of several high-profile names coming back to WWE to support the brand split and roster extension.

But it seems Benjamin will be joined by someone who left the WWE more recently, former 3MB member Jinder Mahal, according to PWInsider.

Mahal's first run with WWE was largely unsuccessful. He failed to get any sort of momentum behind him and will probably be remembered for his time alongside Drew McIntrye and Heath Slater in 3MB, a group saddled with some fairly unflattering storylines throughout its run.

But at the age of just 30, Mahal still has plenty of time on his side. The brand he's drafted to will be crucial, because if he goes to a Raw brand with plenty of star talent, it may be easy for him to get lost in the shuffle.

On SmackDown, however, he could have a better chance of forging a successful career with WWE at last. With time on his side and undoubted talent standing him in good stead, this is a hugely intriguing piece of work from WWE.

Time will tell whether it is a success or not. 

The Dudley Boyz Are Sticking Around

It's been almost a year since The Dudley Boyz returned to WWE to attack The New Day, and although things haven't quite gone to plan since then, it seems they are sticking around.

PWInsider (h/t LordsofPain) reported that they have agreed a new deal with the company, so Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley are set to continue on with WWE for a while longer yet.

They have been working in an enhancement role recently, helping to get over younger tag teams and develop the company's fledgling talent.

But with the duo drafted to Raw and the company split in half, it's possible that there could be one last run at the tag titles for The Dudley Boyz.

They're a fair way down the pecking order right now, but news of their re-signing with WWE is fantastic. On their day, they are still great workers, and as a heel pairing they have added some substance to a tag division that has looked a bit shaky on occasion over the last year or so.

It's unclear what's next for Bubba Ray and D-Von in terms of rivalries, but what we do know is that their next feud will be inside a WWE ring.

Who Booked Balor's Explosive Raw Debut?

Arguably the biggest talking point from the first week of the brand split was the incredible Raw debut of Finn Balor.

The Irishman lit up the company's flagship show during his first night on the main roster and instantly looked at home as one of WWE's major players.

With a shot at the WWE Universal Championship when he takes on Seth Rollins at SummerSlam, it's possible Balor's early weeks on the main roster could get even better. But who booked his sparkling start on Monday night?

It was easy to imagine Triple H, a guy who has worked closely with Balor in NXT, being behind the instant push Finn got.

But when taking a whole host of questions on Twitter earlier this week, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer noted that it wasn't Triple H: 

That's encouraging to see. And after Dolph Ziggler's shock win on SmackDown and WWE fans generally being left surprised at the first week of the brand split, long may it continue.