WWE Rumors: Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton and Friday's Top WWE News

Here we are, nearing the end of 2011, and WWE is poised for big things at the start of the new year. Where we go after the Road to WrestleMania is anyone's guess. But at least there does seem to be a plan for the first four months of 2012. 

WWE has to start the year out strong because WrestleMania 28 is supposed to be the biggest event in company history, the network—which looks like a disaster the more you read about it—needs to get momentum behind it and business can't keep trending down. 

We hold out out hope for the future because we know what WWE can be when everything is going right. So here's hoping that Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H put it all together and give us all something to smile about. 

But before we can close the book on 2011, we still have some news to discuss, so let's get to it. 

BROCK LESNAR MAKES WWE FANS ANGRY

It turns out that when you are a former WWE star who moves on to bigger and better things in mixed martial arts that you still feel a need to distinguish between your current job and former employer, which is what Lesnar did at a UFC 141 press conference.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Lesnar ever escape the shadow of his WWE past?

Our Take: While I don't think it's fair to label him as the "former WWE star" since he hasn't been that for nearly eight years, that is what made him famous and will always define him to the mainstream audience. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Angry Lesnar Responses

WWE fans are clamoring for Lesnar to make a return to the ring at some point, but for now it is best to just enjoy the ride that he is on with UFC. He is entertaining and no one brings in an audience like he does, win or lose. 

Deeper Dive

Brock Lesnar Calls WWE "Fake" (B/R)

An Inside Look At Lesnar vs. Eddie Guerrero From 2004 (B/R)

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NO ONE KNOWS HOW LONG RANDY ORTON WILL BE OUT

The details of Orton's back injury are starting to become clear. According to WWE.com, he herniated a disc on the left side of his back and that is causing him a great deal of pain. But what we still don't know is how long he will actually be out of action. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: What do we really know about Orton's injury?

Our Take: The herniated disc is all that we really know. In the same article, it says that Orton will be out for a few weeks. But multiple reports from other sites said that he will be out for six months. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Injuries That May or May Not Be Serious

Keeping track of this whole situation since it broke on Tuesday night has made my head hurt. I can only imagine what it is like for people in WWE, because it is clear that a very select group of people know exactly what is going on. 

Deeper Dive

Randy Orton's Conflicting Injury Reports (B/R)

News On Orton's Back Injury (WWE.com)

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MAGAZINE STARTS FAKE JEFF HARDY RUMORS

Apparently there was a rumor that got started in a Mexican magazine called Super Luchas suggesting that Jeff Hardy is actually the man behind the "It Begins" videos. The talk even got so loud that Hardy and TNA had to respond by calling it bogus. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: Would WWE even want Jeff Hardy back?

Our Take: We are talking about WWE and Vince McMahon, so I would never put anything past him. That said, Hardy is so unreliable as a performer that it would take a lot of work on his part to be brought back. 

Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Hilarious Rumors That Don't Make Sense

The magazine wrote the rumor as a joke, which actually makes them look a lot less credible to the people that didn't realize it. I think that a better joke would have just been them saying that Chris Jericho is not the mystery star. 

Deeper Dive

Will Jeff Hardy Ever Return To WWE? (B/R)

Details on the Jeff Hardy Rumors (Wrestling, Inc.)

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ALBERTO DEL RIO NEEDS TO GET TOUGHER

While he is currently nursing a groin injury that is going to keep him out four-to-six weeks, Alberto Del Rio could come back and be an even more aggressive heel than he was in the past. This is because Vince McMahon wants him to act that way because he is more believable than any other heel, according to a report in the Wrestling Observer.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is that why Del Rio told the Bellas to shut up?

Our Take: I don't know about you, but when I think dominant, intimidating heel, I think of someone listening to the Bella Twins arguing before telling them to go away. He just needs to be booked stronger to get over, not necessarily an angry direction. 

Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Ways To Get Del Rio Over

I want to think that Del Rio is going to become the top heel that we expected him to be at the start of 2011, but it is entirely possible that WWE has done so much damage to his character that the fans won't ever get behind him. At least they are going to try something to help him now. 

Deeper Dive

Possible Contestants In WrestleMania 28 Money In the Bank Match (B/R)

Vince McMahon Gives Alberto Del Rio An Ultimatum (Wrestling Observer - Subscription Required)

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