WWE Rumors Roundup for Week of April 6 Ahead of WrestleMania 34

WWE WrestleMania 34 is just days away, and the rumor mill has officially ticked into overdrive.

Whether it be surprise returns, possible match outcomes or even just the suspicion of a famous name appearing, never is the online speculation about WWE more intense than it is with Mania just around the corner.

And this year's event is no different. From the possibility of a major heel turn to the latest on The Undertaker's future, here are the final rumors ahead of WrestleMania 34.

Shane McMahon Turning on Daniel Bryan?

It's hard to argue that most of the fan interest at WrestleMania will be fixed around Daniel Bryan's much-anticipated in-ring return.

Bryan will lace up the boots again this Sunday after finally being medically cleared by WWE—but the latest speculation seems to suggest he will be kicking off his wrestling career again with a loss.

That's because the talk is Shane McMahon is going to turn on Bryan, per Randall Ortman at Cageside Seats. Specifically, it's noted that a turn is the "popular word going around".

It would make sense on one level. If Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were to win, it would be far more beneficial to have them do so via controversial circumstances, not only to keep their feud with Bryan going, but also to protect Bryan.

It makes little sense inflicting a clean defeat on Bryan in his first match back. So, per the latest rumors, the smart money is that Shane will be turning heel.

Who Did WWE Ask to be Ronda Rousey's Partner Before Kurt Angle?

As well as Daniel Bryan's return to the ring, there will also be plenty of interest in how Ronda Rousey's official in-ring debut as a WWE competitor pans out.

She will, as everyone knows, be teaming with Kurt Angle to take on The Authority—though reports this week have suggested WWE initially turned in a different direction before opting for Angle.

That's because the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Cageside Seats' Ortman) reported that former WWE champion Batista was actually contacted about being Rousey's partner.

Batista hasn't been seen in the company since leaving shortly after WrestleMania XXX, so a return this year would have been something of a surprise to see The Animal back this year.

But the report went on to mention that eventually, WWE opted for Angle.

Time will tell whether it proves to be the right decision.

Several Big Names Ready to Return From Injury?

WWE's already-crowded roster could be about to get a whole lot busier.

With one of the most stacked WrestleMania cards in years, it's clear the company has an abundance of talent from which to pick from.

And, per the latest reports, a handful of big names are ready to return from injury and join the mix, too. 

This week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter detailed that the likes of Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy, Big Cass, Big Show and Drew McIntyre are all ready to return from injury.

McIntyre's return to NXT competition will be timely, given there is likely to be a number of call-ups to the main roster after WrestleMania.

But how the company fits the likes of Joe, Hardy and Cass into its planning will be fascinating. Cass, in particular, seemed set for a big push before injury: it remains to be seen whether that will still be the case this summer.

What is Happening With The Undertaker? 

Right now, arguably the most fascinating aspect of the entire card at WrestleMania concerns a guy who may not even be wrestling on the show at all.

For weeks, it looked as though The Undertaker vs. John Cena would be locked in for the event, seeing two of pro wrestling's biggest names do battle.

But Monday's go-home edition of Raw saw Taker mysteriously absent, leaving fans wondering whether the match was set to happen at all.

Well, it appears there's a reason for his absence. Dave Meltzer reported for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Raj Giri at WrestlingInc) that the idea for Taker's no-show was Vince McMahon's.

Meltzer's source said McMahon believes the fans are already invested in the idea of the Undertaker showing up, so there was no need to promote his appearance further.

Meltzer added that while it's not known if any planned segment will lead to a match, "it was scheduled to be a match several months ago."

So it seems as though fans will get their Cena-Taker showdown: but it isn't completely clear what it will entail just yet.