WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Brock Lesnar, Sting and More

Brock Lesnar's next WrestleMania opponent and Sting's WWE contract are among the most notable stories to come out of the rumor mill.

Lesnar may either be taking on a movie star or a strongman next year. Sting, meanwhile, is apparently close to officially coming to WWE, something fans have heard several times before. 

In other news, WWE is reportedly setting up a compelling bout for SummerSlam, planning on bringing in a former Pro Wrestling Illustrated Woman of the Year and keeping some aging stars on the bench. 

Backstage reports provide the rumors and what's been happening on-screen provides hints at what fans can look forward to. The following is a look at that swirling info, attempting to make sense of it all. 

Matches to Expect?

The process of building a WrestleMania starts early. Not even two weeks removed from WrestleMania 30, WWE is reportedly cooking up ideas for the next one. That includes a possible main event and a chance for an emerging star to dramatically elevate his stock.

F4WOnline, via Josh Isenberg of Wrestle Zone, reports the following:

"

There are two names that have been mentioned when talking about Brock Lesnar's opponent at WrestleMania 31. The first is The Rock, who was rumored to be Brock Lesnar's opponent at WrestleMania XXX.

Another name being discussed is Cesaro.

"

Lesnar vs. The Rock is not a new idea. "The Great One" told Peter Rosenberg that this was the original plan for this year's event.

Of course, this was before The Rock followed his match with John Cena at WrestleMania 29 with a surgery to repair torn muscles.

Lesnar's profile shot up after becoming the first man to defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania. The Rock's profile will forever be high. The star power will be plentiful as these two foes meet.

The possibility that Cesaro could get a crack at "The Beast Incarnate" is both surprising and mouthwatering.

Both Cesaro and Lesnar both currently have Paul Heyman in their corners. The story of them colliding is made more interesting for that reason. Each wrestler's power and the chance that Cesaro could achieve a career highlight here are among the reasons to green light this idea.

The difference in standing makes it a less likely option than Lesnar vs. The Rock, though.

WWE is reportedly considering another rising-star-versus-marquee name bout. F4WOnline, via Isenberg of Wrestle Zone, reports, "Triple H vs. Roman Reigns has been penciled in for this year's WWE SummerSlam."  

It's easy to see this happening as Evolution and The Shield have already taken swipes at each other, both in the ring and online.

Reigns has also been the benefactor of huge moments at the Royal Rumble and Survivor Series. A SummerSlam moment may await him next.

TNA Stars Headed for WWE?

Sting fans have to be getting tired of reading reports of "The Icon" getting close to signing with WWE. Rumors of this happening have gone on for months with no resolution.

It appears that his long-awaited arrival is imminent, though. According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, the Sting deal is done in principle and "it's just a matter of the final contract being signed."

While that sounds like celebratory news for those dreaming of seeing Sting work for WWE, it's hard to get too excited.

Fans have watched big moments roll by with no Stinger in sight. WrestleMania 30 came and went without him. The same was true for Raw the next night and on the April 14 edition of Raw that was a tribute to Sting's old tag team partner. 

Wrestling Observer Newsletter, via Gene Mrosko of Cageside Seats, previously reported that "there is a working idea that he does one WWE match and then retire, which everyone presumes at this point will be with Undertaker at WrestleMania 31."

With Undertaker's streak over and him not looking great in the ring against Lesnar, many speculate that his career is over. If that's true, one has to wonder if that makes Sting change his mind. What other dream match is waiting for him in Vince McMahon's company? 

Meanwhile, a less talked-about former TNA star could be headed to WWE as well.

F4WOnline, via Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc, reports that, "Lisa Marie Varon (Victoria, Tara) may be back to work for WWE in some form here soon, most likely as a NXT trainer." It makes sense that WWE would eye her for this spot as she's almost a decade and a half worth of experience.

Even at 43, she's a better all-around wrestler than a good chunk of WWE's Diva division.

This is the same company, though, that put Sara Del Rey in the trainer's room rather than in the ring. Del Rey was rated as the No. 4 best female wrestler by Pro Wrestling Illustrated, via ProFightDB.com, just two years ago.

Veterans Staying Away From the Ring?

After The Shield steamrolled over The New Age Outlaws, it looks like Billy Gunn and Road Dogg will be hanging up their boots for the time being.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter, via Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc, "The New Age Outlaws will likely be off WWE TV for a while as the loss to The Shield at WrestleMania XXX was the blow-off for their run."

This is not shocking in the least. The 50-year-old Gunn spent some of his post-match time coughing up blood.

The Authority has shifted personnel anyway. Kane is going back to his masked-monster days and Triple H has since reformed Evolution.

While the group is missing a certain "Nature Boy," the above report also notes that Ric Flair will not be a part of the Evolution reunion. 

Perhaps that changes, but it's not Evolution without "The Dirtiest Player in the Game" just as The Four Horsemen with J.J. Dillon just wasn't the same. Flair doesn't have to wrestle either. The trio would benefit from a Hall of Famer in their corner.

The longer Evolution's feud with The Shield's goes, the more chance that WWE changes its mind on this. Flair has been doing appearances for the company anyway.