Backstage WWE Rumors: Latest on Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and More

Roman Reigns will headline his seventh WrestleMania on April 2, but might that main event signify the end of his historic run as undisputed WWE universal champion and send him on an extended vacation?

The Tribal Chief's status beyond The Showcase of the Immortals headlines this collection of wrestling rumors, which also features the latest on the WWE Hall of Fame, its headlining inductee, and a potential return for one of the industry's most decorated stars.

Roman Reigns to Take a Post-WrestleMania Break...Maybe

Roman Reigns is set to take a substantial break from WWE following WrestleMania 39, WrestleVotes told GiveMeSport.

Assuming he drops the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in the main event to Cody Rhodes, WrestleVotes stated, "I can imagine there's probably a significant break, at least a month even longer, until there's a major show that requires Roman Reigns. You may not see him until SummerSlam though. He'll be away for a little bit."

WrestleVotes followed up later, adding a caveat via Twitter.

Of interest is the idea that the decision on the main event of WrestleMania has yet to be determined, despite all evidence pointing to Rhodes ending The Tribal Chief's historic reign.

If Reigns does drop the titles, it makes sense that he would take a break from WWE television. For a guy who has had a lighter schedule over the last year, his name and star were omnipresent on WWE television, with top stories revolving around him even on nights when he was not in the building.

Taking time off and allowing the company to move forward is probably the right call, though it would create questions about where The Bloodline go without Reigns leading them. How does that element of the overarching story in WWE advance without the central figure?

Those are questions that will be left to Triple H and the creative team should the expected outcome become a reality.

Latest on Randy Orton's WWE Return

Randy Orton has not appeared on WWE television since last May, a streak that appears ready to come to an end.

Mike Johnson at PWInsider Elite reported The Viper is set to be in Los Angeles for WrestleMania, an indicator that he will be returning sooner rather than later (h/t Cageside Seats).

Orton is a huge star in the industry and a guy who will benefit WWE programming immediately, from both name-recognition and in-ring ability perspectives.

What will be interesting is to see how Triple H utilizes his former star pupil.

We have yet to see what Orton looks like from a character perspective under the new creative regime. Does he stay babyface or revert to heel? Does he stick with Raw or go to SmackDown? Does The Game dare go back to RK-Bro or move on?

Those are all questions surrounding a potential comeback for the third-generation star. The uncertainty breeds intrigue, and for a guy who has been around as long and accomplished all that he has, that is exactly what Orton needs upon his return to the squared circle.

Rey Mysterio's In-Ring Future

WrestleVotes also told GiveMeSport that WrestleMania 39 was intended to feature Rey Mysterio's retirement match at one point,. That is not necessarily the case any longer.

"This storyline kind of reinvigorated him a little bit. So I don't know if he agreed to do another full year. ... I don't know if he's going to drag this out with Dom until they feel like it's complete," the insider reported.

There is plenty of reason to be reinvigorated, too.

The angle with Dominik is red-hot, and the moment Rey finally strikes back at his spoiled son and agrees to the match will be magical. The reactions The Master of the 619 is getting for the work he is doing with his child would make it hard for anyone to hang it up at this point.

Then there is the Hall of Fame induction, which typically comes after a Superstar has finished their career, but we have seen Edge, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Lita and Trish Stratus continue performing while they can.

Mysterio is likely no different. Forcing him into a premature retirement would only cause him to look elsewhere for an opportunity to get back in the ring, à la Ric Flair with Impact Wrestling.

Mysterio, 48, is in that rarefied air alongside Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Eddie Guerrero and Ricky Steamboat as the best wrestlers of all time. He has earned the right to go out on his own terms, and if he continues to perform at the level he is, WWE should allow him the platform to do so.

Update on Stacy Keibler and the WWE Hall of Fame

Johnson also reported that Stacy Keibler will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of this year's class.

The 43-year-old got her start in WCW as the winner of a Nitro Girl Search and became an on-screen character within a year. The sale of that company sent her to WWE, where she became one of the most popular women on the roster.

Not a traditional in-ring performer, she was more of an on-screen personality on Raw and SmackDown while serving as an ambassador for WWE in media and promotional appearances. Her time with the company coincided with an era of programming in which women's wrestling was not always treated seriously by WWE or its fans.

One of the biggest stars on the women's roster during her time with the company, she channeled it into appearances on Dancing With The Stars, The George Lopez Show and other mainstream opportunities before departing in 2005.

Are there other women who belong in the Hall of Fame, such as Victoria and Jazz? Yes, but their exclusion does not mean Keibler does not deserve to be there.

Johnson ended his report by stating there would be one final entrant in this year's class after Keibler, with no tag team making the cut.