Buying or Selling Surprise Returns Buzz and Latest WWE WrestleMania 39 Rumors

The biggest pro-wrestling-rumors week annually has not disappointed.

With the two-night spectacle that is WrestleMania 39 starting on Saturday, the past week has been a fun, wild sprint to the finish line in the rumors and buzz department.

As always, chief among those rumors are the rumbles of the possible surprise returns of big names. Tack on buzz about the actual order of the cards on both nights, who might get the best of who and future storyline plans, and almost no sport can compare when it comes to rumors that intrigue and build hype at the same time.

Here's a look at the most recent notable rumors and whether fans should be buying or selling those ideas.

Randy Orton's Return

Buzz continues to circle around Randy Orton.

At first, it seemed the speculation was just centered on the idea Orton would merely be present around Mania itself for the weekend. That's not too shocking, as WWE often has even injured and retired Superstars around at events.

But according to WrestleVotes (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), Orton wants to make his official return during the event itself on one of the nights.

That's an easy buy, too. Orton has been out of action since May, and while there haven't been a ton of updates on his injury status, the fact partner Riddle has been gone from the company as well suggested he and WWE would save his big return for a massive stage.

The massive stage is this weekend, and it should be thrilling to see if Orton heads back to the tag division or something much bigger (perhaps an encounter with old friend Cody Rhodes?).

Verdict: Buying

Logan Paul's Contract Is Up

At this point, it's hard to imagine a WWE without Logan Paul.

That's a sentence longtime hardcore wrestling fans would have never thought possible even a handful of years ago. But Paul's stunningly natural fit in the business and amazing in-ring skills have made it possible.

But is it coming to an end? Paul suggested on his Impaulsive podcast (around the 28:30 mark) that his contract ends at Mania.

As if, right?

In the era of blurred lines whenever they make appearances within WWE or otherwise, this feels like the workiest of works. Unless Paul himself wants out, there's zero chance WWE will let his contract expire.

Beyond his current feud with Seth Rollins, which may or may not actually end at Mania (perhaps it extends to Backlash), Paul is a no-brainer to have at King and Queen of the Ring in Saudi Arabia in May. Money in the Bank is in July and SummerSlam is August. If nothing else, this feels like an attempt at adding even more intrigue to the must-see clash with Rollins.

Verdict: Selling

Other Returning Superstars

When it comes to other Superstars who have been missing in action for a while, Riddle and Shinsuke Nakamura are close to the top of the list in the minds of fans.

Fitting, then, that they have come up together in buzz ahead of Mania.

When it comes to Riddle, PWInsider reported (h/t Wrestling Headline's Marc Middleton) that he could return over the weekend or on the Raw after Mania, with the plan being his remaining on the red brand.

And on Nakamura, Wrestling Observer (h/t Middleton) noted that he'll make a return to on-screen storylines after Mania.

Both make a ton of sense. Nakamura hasn't been on television since November, but he has worked house shows and overseas for WWE. Getting him back in mid-card title scenes during a new "season" is a no-brainer.

Riddle hasn't been in a match since early December, but getting him involved in Mania works because he could be in a wide range of things—from teaming with or even working against Orton to potentially going after all manner of championships.

Verdict: Buying

Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa Reunion?

In a Triple H-led creative, it wouldn't register as too much of a shock if he dipped into some of the successful NXT greatest hits from over the years.

But does that include reuniting Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa?

According to WRKD Wrestling (h/t Ortman), that's an idea that has been floated during Mania season. It's one of those things that is big enough to feature on Mania itself, if not get a big moment during the Raw after Mania.

One could argue, though, that shoving the two together right upon Ciampa's return might not feel earned. Ciampa hasn't been on WWE programming since last September following hip surgery. Gargano has been all over the place in 2023, teaming with Dexter Lumis, feuding with Baron Corbin and losing in Elimination Chamber.

WWE can't just bank on every single fan knowing what happened in NXT, so properly building up both guys before getting them together, either as a team or feuding, would make the most sense.

Verdict: Selling