WWE Rumors: Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio and Thursday's Top WWE News

WWE is about to enter one of its most important stretches of the year. After No Way Out on June 17, everything should start getting set into motion for SummerSlam in August. 

One thing WWE tends to do well, at least when it wants to, is build big matches for its biggest pay-per-views of the year. Considering that Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar is going to be the main event for that show, you might as well start the build as soon as possible to maximize the buy rate. 

If there are grand designs for SummerSlam, the build has to begin in earnest in the not-too-distant future. 

Before we get to see whatever WWE has planned, it is time to talk about what is going on behind the scenes right now. 

BROCK LESNAR'S RETURN BOOSTS EXTREME RULES PPV

When Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena was announced for the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, everyone knew the show would do better than an average B-show. We just didn't know by how much, until now. The show reportedly did 251,000 total buys, with 147,000 domestic. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is that good or bad?

Our Take: It's good from the standpoint that last year's show did 108,000 domestic buys and 216,000 total. It's not that good because it continues to prove that no matter what WWE does, B-level shows are not going to do big business anymore. Lesnar's return should have been one of the biggest buyrates in recent years, yet it was just a better-than-average B-show. 

Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Signs of Pain

It will be interesting to see how Lesnar's second match does, especially considering that WWE put Cena over him at Extreme Rules. Perhaps the name alone will convince people to buy more pay-per-views with him, but WWE is doing its best to tell people that he is no better than a standard WWE guy. 

Deeper Dive

Extreme Rules Buyrate (Wrestling Observer)

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CM PUNK TO FEUD WITH....CODY RHODES

WWE doesn't need to build someone up anymore to put them in the WWE championship picture. That bodes well for Cody Rhodes, who has been getting destroyed on television since WrestleMania and has been rumored for a program with CM Punk. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: How serious is WWE about this?

Our Take: A lot of things get discussed in creative that never end up seeing the light of day. If Rhodes was seriously in the mix for a title push, he wouldn't be losing every match he participates in. Of course in today's WWE, results from last week mean nothing for this week. 

Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Made-Up Feuds

There could be a time when Rhodes challenges for the championship, he has good ability in the ring and on the microphone, but not yet. If WWE tries to push someone to soon, the fans will turn on them forever. It's happened numerous times in the past (Chris Masters, Mason Ryan, Drew McIntyre, etc).

Deeper Dive

Rumored Feud for CM Punk (WrestleNewz)

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REY MYSTERIO'S KNEE INJURY GIVES WWE MORE TIME WITH HIM

While Rey Mysterio is still over a month away from returning following his 60-day suspension for a Wellness test failure, WWE is not looking to get rid of him. In fact, the company is reportedly going to use the 10 months he has been off due to a knee injury to keep him around 10-11 months longer than when his original deal was due to expire. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: How is WWE going to use him with two strikes against him?

Our Take: That is the great mystery in this whole thing. Mysterio is still going to be way over with the crowd, but there could be some heat on him from people backstage due to the violation. Plus, his size, or lack thereof, has never been a quality that endears him to Vince McMahon. 

Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 West Coast Pops

At this point, it will just be nice to have Mysterio back in a WWE ring. There has been so much speculation about his future and return date that getting him on television will be a good change of pace for WWE. 

Deeper Dive

Rey Mysterio's Contract Update (Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

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MORE NEGATIVE REACTION TO RAW'S THREE-HOUR MOVE

When WWE and USA decided to make Raw a three-hour show starting on July 23, a lot of the reaction from within WWE was negative. Less than one week later, the groans keep coming out, with people reportedly comparing it to WCW taking Nitro to three hours and noting that Raw drags at two hours already. 

Question on Everybody's Mind: Will WWE be able to make a three-hour format work?

Our Take: If you want to believe that WWE will dedicate the extra hour to pushing stars and putting on longer matches, that is your prerogative. Personally, I see WWE showcasing the same stars it always does and hoping to get by with smoke and mirrors. 

Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Disasters In The Making

On the plus side, if the three-hour format doesn't work, WWE isn't in such a bad spot financially or in ratings—though they aren't in great shape in either category—it can't just move back to two hours to bring back the show we know and tolerate now. 

Deeper Dive

Internal Reaction To Three-Hour Raw (Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

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Check back for more on the WWE as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of the WWE. For more WWE talk, check out Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss.

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