WWE WrestleMania 2014: Analyzing Latest Rumors Surrounding Anticipated PPV

No matter how you may feel about the current state of the WWE, it's hard to believe the company won't have some surprises in store for WrestleMania XXX. 

The massive pay-per-view is consistently the biggest event of the year, but with Sunday's installment marking the 30th anniversary, it's quite clear the WWE is upping the spectacle to an entirely new level. 

The Hall of Fame class is one of the greatest of all-time, the card is chalk full of intriguing matches and it would actually be a little surprising if a couple of swerves, guest appearances or unbelievable moments weren't thrown our way. 

With that being said, let's take a look at the most recent gossip surrounding Sunday's highly anticipated PPV. 

Backstage Criticism Over Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker Feud?

According to F4WOnline, via WrestlingInc.com's Marc Middleton, there are individuals among the company who are not happy with the buildup for Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker: 

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There are people within WWE who believe that Brock Lesnar should have been booked differently and as more of a threat to The Undertaker, since the only point Lesnar did anything to Taker was the go-home angle on RAW this week, and that was still a sneak up from behind distraction with the announcers calling Lesnar a coward.

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Things could have been worse. The report states that Vince McMahon's original plan was for The Undertaker, who will look to extend his undefeated streak at WrestleMania, to not be touched at all during the build-up. But that obviously changed, as Lesnar delivered the F-5 during the go-home Raw last Monday:

The "coward" route they've taken with Lesnar is certainly questionable at best. Sure, you can't risk hurting 'Taker, but Lesnar is one of the most physically impressive specimens the sport has ever seen, and building him up as an unstoppable monster capable of ending The Deadman's streak likely would have created more intrigue. 

Still, even with the controversial buildup, this match has loads of potential inside the ring. If Lesnar and Undertaker deliver a strong match, no one will remember what happened beforehand. 

Who Will Join the Battle Royal?

Photo courtesy WWE.com

We know there will be at least be three surprise appearances on Sunday night, as the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is still missing entrants Nos. 28, 29 and 30. 

According to WrestlingInc.com's Marc Middleton, it sounds as though Rob Van Dam will fill one of the spots.

RVD is extremely popular throughout the WWE universe, and his aerial ability would add an exciting dimension to a match that will provide lots of bodies to cushion the 43-year-old's highlight-reel spots. Moreover, both he and Jericho have been teasing a return:

Speculation for another spot has also been swirling about Alexander Rusev, an up-and-coming physical monster who had a solid appearance at Royal Rumble and is actually the favorite to win this match, according to Bovada. 

Assuming those two make it in, it wouldn't be surprising if the final participant was another former star. 

According to F4WOnline, via Middleton, the WWE has contacted "every megadraw of the last three decades that is still alive" for a potential cameo appearance. 

That is enticing, to say the least. 

The Shield Breaking up Soon?

Although it's not guaranteed to happen at WrestleMania, where the members of The Shield are expected to further boost their burgeoning careers and go over the New Age Outlaws and Kane, a breakup is still expected at some point. 

F4WOnline, via Middleton, reveals the rumored plan:

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We noted before that there is still a plan in place for The Shield to split up. The plan is for Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to play the heel tag team while Roman Reigns will be booked as a top singles babyface.

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It's not exactly surprising. 

The WWE made it clear at Royal Rumble and the subsequent months that it has very high hopes for Reigns. Many figured a breakup of the explosive trio was coming in time for a triple-threat match at WrestleMania. 

Plans clearly changed, but it's something to keep your eye on. 

While it will be good to see Reigns get a push in the singles circuit, hopefully Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins continued to be pushed, as well, because they are similarly tantalizing and full of potential.