WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Lana, Jinder Mahal and More

The Superstar Shake-up has brought post-WrestleMania change to WWE programming and monumental opportunity for stars who may not otherwise receive them.

One such performer is Jinder Mahal, who turned his arrival to SmackDown Live into a shot at the WWE Championship at the upcoming Backlash pay-per-view.

Another is Lana, the former Ravishing Russian whose on-screen pairing with real-life husband Rusev pigeonholed her into the role of manager. Now a member of the Tuesday night roster, she appears poised for success of her own as she embarks on a singles career between the ropes.

Those two Superstars found themselves at the heart of two of the biggest WWE rumors of the week but were not alone. Also grabbing headlines was WWE universal champion Brock Lesnar, whose plans for the next six months appear clearer than they were a week ago.

Jinder Mahal: WWE Champion?

According to a report from Cageside Seats, a WWE Championship run for Jinder Mahal does not appear likely: "At this point, WWE is not planning on having Jinder Mahal win the world title at Backlash, but that could change depending on how the build is received."

That "could change" line is interesting in that WWE Creative is still at least receptive to the idea of the Maharaja winning the championship. Should the faction consisting of him and The Singh Brothers garner enough momentum in the weeks ahead of Backlash, do not be surprised to see Mahal win the title at the May 21 pay-per-view or later, maybe in Philadelphia at Battleground on July 23.

It would not be the first time a perennial midcard talent came from out of nowhere to enjoy a main event push and, ultimate, get over to the point that Creative put the top prize in professional wrestling on him. That is the exact scenario that played out in 2004 when John Bradshaw Layfield underwent a character retooling, feuded with Eddie Guerrero and ultimately won the title at Great American Bash.

SmackDown has taken great pride in its status as the "land of opportunity" and has made good on that nickname, promoting stars who otherwise could not sniff television time elsewhere. Perhaps no star has benefited more than Mahal, who is eyeing a run at the top of the industry with future Hall of Famer Randy Orton as his proverbial dance partner.

Lanalina?

When WWE Creative finds a gimmick it likes, it does not let a bump prevent it from making the airwaves. In late 2016, the Emmalina gimmick failed to make air, scrapped on the night of its big debut. According to PWMania.com, Lana will pick up where Emma left off, becoming the blonde bombshell character originally meant for the Australian in-ring specialist.

"It has been rumored that Lana has basically been given the Emmalina gimmick that Emma was forced to abandon after WWE officials didn't think she could pull off what they were looking for."

The report continued, "This is indeed true as WWE plans on using some of the aspects they had in mind with the Emmalina persona for Lana. There has also been talk of Lana dropping her Russian accent. While that's currently undecided, there is a good chance of that aspect of her character being dropped."

If this is true, it would explain the sensual video packages in which Lana essentially chair dances for the WWE Universe.

A performer whose wrestling skills are far behind her character work, Lana could benefit exponentially from a gimmick in which her major attribute is being gorgeous. The lack of in-ring substance will be masked by the presentation of the character, which will only help Lana as she transitions from the role of arm candy to an in-ring worker.

Breaking her away from Rusev may prove controversial, especially given how poorly that worked out the first time, but it is essential for both of those Superstars' continued growth as on-air performers.

Brock Lesnar's Summertime Plans

The WWE universal champion has been conspicuous in his absence since the April 3 episode of Raw and as the summer months approach, fans are wondering when they may see Lesnar next. According to a report by Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t WrestlingInc), Lesnar's dates before and after the July 9 Great Balls of Fire pay-per-view have not been solidified as of yet but "Lesnar will be around a lot more for this championship reign than his seven-month 2014-2015 run."

Dave Meltzer noted that where there is smoke, there is fire in regards of Finn Balor and Seth Rollins: "While Lesnar will likely face both men before WrestleMania 34, there's currently nothing officially set regarding those matches or Lesnar's opponents through WrestleMania, although he is expected to be facing Braun Strowman in July."

The Strowman revelation is no big surprise. From the moment The Monster Among Men confronted The Beast Incarnate after WrestleMania 33, it appeared likely those two mammoth Superstars would lock horns for the top prize on Raw.

Fans have witnessed Rollins vs. Lesnar before, though under very different circumstances. Most interesting is the idea of Balor vs. Lesnar. The Balor Club leader is returning from major shoulder surgery, and given Lesnar's penchant for tossing his opponents around the ring with German suplexes that oftentimes lead to those Superstars landing on the head and shoulders, it would appear such a formula would be problematic for the Irishman. 

Regardless, it is nice to see WWE Creative at least has a rough outline of what it wants to accomplish with Lesnar. That is a stark improvement over the 2014-15 run, where it sometimes felt like The Beast was being booked on the fly outside of the Reigns match at WrestleMania 31.