Buying or Selling Roman Reigns' Upcoming Schedule and Latest WWE and AEW Rumors

The calendar might say June and the super-busy, triple-event May stretch might be over for pro wrestling, but the rumor mill seems to be going as strong as ever for WWE and AEW.

That's not too much of a shocker given some of the names involved. There's CM Punk's return hanging over the debut of a new AEW show. In the other direction, there are notable absences worth pondering, such Bray Wyatt's from WWE.

Keep in mind that traditional, actual in-ring things continue to happen that captivate, too. Look at the Bloodline saga orbiting Roman Reigns, one of the best storylines of modern times, if not ever. There are questions and buzz about where things might go from here with big WWE events looming, too.

Here's a look at the most noteworthy buzz on the rumor mill, plus whether to buy or sell it as June really gets going.

WWE wanted Bray Wyatt's Fiend back

Before his extensive absence, Bray Wyatt's amazing return eventually soured most onlookers because he rarely had actual matches. Instead, he cut near-weekly promos trying to drive home character development for the likes of Uncle Howdy.

Notably absent was the character "The Fiend." And according to Fight Fans (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), WWE didn't like Howdy or the Pitch Black match at the Royal Rumble and wanted to see Fiend return.

That obviously hasn't happened—and who is surprised that slapping a supernatural character like Wyatt into a match sponsored by Mountain Dew didn't have a good end result?

Sarcasm aside, it's no shocker WWE wants to do something to make Wyatt more interesting. Fiend might not be the right answer and the booking handled it horribly last time, but the character was super-over and interesting.

Verdict: Buying

AEW could develop into full brand split

CM Punk will be on the first episode of AEW's Collision on June 17, a development leading outsiders to theorize the company will indeed move to a full-blown brand split.

According to Fightful Select (h/t Ortman), the company told superstars that Collision may represent a "soft" brand split that could eventually develop into a "hard" split.

But it's time to sell the idea of a rigid brand split. Yes, AEW has too many talents and too little broadcast time, so the presence of another show could let some underused talents and storylines really shine outside of the weekly Dynamite structure.

But AEW is savvy and modern enough to see how a brand split harms WWE and how their biggest competition just can't resist the urge to have its biggest names on both weekly shows. Keep in mind super flops like the nonsensical "wildcard rule" and other miscues.

This isn't suggesting AEW couldn't pull it off, but like Cody Rhodes' stipulation to never challenge for a title again, a hard split is probably something the company won't box itself into anytime soon.

Verdict: Selling

Roman Reigns will defend at next major PLEs

This summer doesn't figure to be a light workload for Roman Reigns.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Ortman), Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal title at both Money in the Bank and SummerSlam.

While Reigns has skipped events and shows during the course of his run at the top and WWE did just introduce another men's top title, currently held by Seth Rollins, he's not going to up and miss the company's two biggest events of the summer.

This is especially the case when both events will feature critical table-setting for the run to the next WrestleMania. Reigns just got betrayed by The Usos, likely setting up a solo feud against Jimmy Uso, which is potentially a match for MITB or even SummerSlam. After that, perhaps another solo feud against Jey, with Solo Sikoa looming in the background too.

It feels inevitable WWE will use these critical points on the calendar to further the family-based tale, especially considering 'Mania might be reserved for a non-family ending to Reigns' run.

Verdict: Buying

WWE has big plans for Damian Priest

One of the next big things in WWE could be...Damian Priest?

So says some new buzz. According to WRKD Wrestling (h/t Ortman), WWE will place Priest in the Money in the Bank ladder match because there is hype within the company for him as a possible main-eventer.

This one is a tough buy, though. Much of the praise for Priest stems from his match against Bad Bunny at Backlash from Puerto Rico. But that was a super-friendly environment and a one-off situation, not something that will translate.

Plus, the 41-year-old Priest isn't believable as a briefcase holder because what's the plan then? Rollins will be involved with other top names, likely Cody Rhodes, while Reigns will have Bloodline things to deal with.

While Priest might be in the ladder match itself, he's not a sudden main-eventer because of one match and he projects to be much better off in his current track as a member of The Judgment Day—which happens to be one of the best things running in pro wrestling as it is.

Verdict: Selling