Buying or Selling Roman Reigns vs. Rock Match, John Cena at WrestleMania, More Rumors

With the calendar turned to March, things have only intensified on the pro wrestling rumor mill.

Impressive, considering how non-stop hot the buzz has been around the sport for the better part of a year thanks to major returns, free agency rumors and even names like The Rock involved at the very top.

But so it goes as WrestleMania looms. There are rumblings about plans for top Superstars, the possible long-term fallout of those big 'Mania feuds and even speculation around contract statuses, which could lead to even more free agency buzz.

To help fans better manage some of the noise, here's a look at the must-know rumors making the rounds right now and if they are worth believing.

Roman vs. Rock Remains in the Plans

Barring WWE going a triple threat route at WrestleMania 40, it doesn't sound like The Rock and Roman Reigns will actually face off in a wrestling ring anytime soon.

But that doesn't mean it won't ever happen.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), WWE remains adamant, at least internally, that the singles match will still happen.

Easy buy—fan backlash smartly rerouted this planned 'Mania matchup. But it's a no-brainer of a match for the company to have down the line at an event like SummerSlam, or even the next 'Mania.

It's simply too big of a match to not have, especially with the title of Tribal Chief up for grabs, but it doesn't have to be rushed in the manner WWE just attempted, either.

Verdict: Buying

'Mania Plans for Big Names

Let the rumor mill tell it, some of the biggest names in WWE have cemented 'Mania plans.

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reported that AJ Styles and LA Knight are headed for a match at 'Mania, as are Randy Orton and United States champion Logan Paul.

Based on the happenings at Elimination Chamber between these Superstars, those matches would make plenty of sense.

But here's the thing—we're a long ways out from 'Mania still, at least in the pro wrestling world. Just look at how quickly WWE pivoted off Rock-Reigns for the main event of the show.

Maybe this is how things end up, but plans never feel set in stone with WWE until the bell rings.

Verdict: Selling

Big Contract Update?

It feels like fans can finally put Drew McIntyre contract speculation to rest.

As if McIntyre's top-of-the-line booking weren't evidence enough, BWE (h/t Ortman) has reported that he has indeed signed a new contract with the company.

While it might have been fun to see McIntyre in AEW, especially based on his fantastic non-WWE work before his big return, there was zero chance WWE was actually going to let him get away.

McIntyre has simply done far too much at the very top of the company, even before winning Elimination Chamber, to not be back under contract already. He's got a shot at a title at 'Mania and it seems pretty obvious he'll be the first feud for a returning CM Punk, too.

Verdict: Buying

Drama in AEW?

Let the rumor mill tell it, there's some turbulence going on behind the scenes at AEW right now.

According to Wrestling Observer Live's Bryan Alvarez (h/t Ortman), there is frustration with "very little communication" happening before shows, to the point talent arrive for broadcasts and then have no role in the actual show itself. There's also an allegation that some Superstars don't go along with creative and/or have those plans changed.

This one registers as a sell, though. Especially in WWE, it hasn't been uncommon to have scripts changing at the last second before a show goes live, or those even being rewritten as a show broadcasts.

That doesn't sound ideal for many reasons, but most involved in pro wrestling probably know the drill by now. If things were that bad, consistently, this is something that would have boiled to the surface long ago and until it does, it's hard to eyeball AEW as having backstage issues.

Verdict: Selling

Broadcast Plans Update

It has been known for a little while now that WWE's SmackDown broadcasts will be moving off Fox and back to USA Network.

The matter of what day of the week those broadcasts would occur, though, still seemed up for debate.

But according to Meltzer (h/t Andrew Ravens of Wrestling News), the plan is for the blue brand to remain on Friday nights.

Believe it or not, it makes a lot of sense to buy. While it's easy to speculate that WWE and/or the network might want the show in a different timeslot, that might not be the case.

SmackDown and pro wrestling as a whole is a guaranteed layup for consistent ratings. Putting it in an unorthodox timeslot that would never draw that type of consistency that pro wrestling fans bring might just be best for business. It would also keep things nicely spaced out, with Raw at the beginning of a week and NXT in the middle.

Verdict: Buying

John Cena's 'Mania Plans

Given how stacked the WrestleMania 40 card appears, it's a little easy to forget that one John Cena doesn't have a defined or even suggested role for it yet.

And that might not change.

According to Meltzer (h/t MMA Knockout's Fernando Quiles Jr.), Cena's Hollywood obligations could interfere with his ability to show up—and if he does, it would be for a quick segment, if anything.

It was pretty unreasonable to expect anything beyond that for Cena, anyway, at this stage of his career. If he was headed for a speculated retirement match, WWE probably would have started the build (against Randy Orton or someone else?) well before now.

If Cena shows up, hits a safe move or two and moves on, everybody wins.

Verdict: Buying