WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Steve Austin, Rusev and More

The prospects of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin coming back to the ring and officials' plans for Rusev highlight the latest WWE rumors.

Fans seem to be prematurely pumped about Austin competing at WrestleMania 31. Jim Ross shot down that rumor just as one involving Rusev and The Rock has begun to make its way around the Internet.

Backstage reports offer insight into what WWE was thinking with The Rock and Rusev's confrontation on Monday's Raw, as well as a possible route for The Ascension and an update on how the company views Christian.

The Bulgarian Brute's future could see him go after a midcard title. Following that, could going one-on-one with The Great One be on his schedule?

Possible Plans for Rusev

Sheamus is currently tangling with The Miz. He may have a date with Lana's monster afterward.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports (subscription required; h/t Wrestle Zone) that officials have discussed placing Rusev into a feud with Sheamus over the United States Championship.

That would be a smart move. Wearing the U.S. title is an easy way to further Rusev's anti-America campaign, as he could brag that no American is worthy of holding that title. It would also signify his climb up the WWE ladder.

Rusev and Sheamus' battles promise to be physical and intense.

What's in store for Rusev after that? After The Rock and Rusev exchanged words on Monday's Raw, there is talk of their paths crossing down the line.

According to F4WOnline (h/t Wrestling Inc), WWE officials chose to have The Rock not hit Rusev with a Rock Bottom or People's Elbow in the interest of keeping the rookie looking strong. The report notes the feeling backstage that while a Rusev vs. The Rock match at WrestleMania 31 match is doubtful, it is a possibility.

That's not a possibility most fans would have imagined before this showdown. If The Rock was healthy, available and willing to wrestle, the more likely candidate to face him would be Brock Lesnar.

A Lesnar vs. Rock rematch only benefits WWE in the short term, though. Going with the unexpected move of having The Brahma Bull take on Rusev elevates an emerging star in a major way.

There's little reason to get excited about this potential clash right now. The bout is just an idea at this point, one that goes against WWE's recent pattern of pairing The Rock with a megastar at WrestleMania.

The Ascension on the Rise?

The Wyatt Family looks to be shrinking. During the last two editions of Raw, WWE aired vignettes that hinted at Luke Harper and Erick Rowan leaving the clan.

Bray Wyatt may not be alone for long if that happens. According to F4WOnline (h/t Wrestling Inc), there are currently rumors surrounding a potential call-up for The Ascension followed by a pairing with Wyatt.

While not as perfect a fit for Wyatt's crew as Harper and Rowan, Viktor and Konnor would make intriguing additions to a revamped Wyatt Family. That would allow Wyatt to keep up his cult-leader gimmick and have two bruisers to boss around.

The Ascension are currently busy with Hideo Itami at NXT.

That feud could stretch on for months. After it wraps up, there's definitely a case to be made for promoting the former tag champs to the main roster. 

Making them someone's henchmen seems unlikely since they're being booked as such destructive forces on their own.

Perception of Christian

Aside from an appearance here or there, fans haven't seen much of Christian. That is reportedly due to negative feelings WWE has about him.

On Wrestling Observer Radio (subscription required; h/t Wrestle Zone) Dave Meltzer said the following: 

"

For Christian, there’s people who think that he's too fragile now, because of his age and because he keeps getting hurt. I think the mentality is that his wrestling days are over, and they probably want to keep him somewhere, but they haven't offered him a spot as an agent or as a trainer. I don't know if they will, but they haven't cut him yet.

"

WWE having shaky confidence in Christian's ability to stay healthy is understandable. He's been out of action a number of times over the last few years.

But if it's going to pay the guy, it makes sense to get more out of him.

Why not have him do commentary on SmackDown? Why not have him host more Peep Show segments? 

It seems as if WWE doesn't know what it wants to do with Captain Charisma and is just tabling the decision for later. Meanwhile, he gets to cash his checks without taking a single bump.

Steve Austin 

Do not buy tickets to WrestleMania 31 based on the possibility that Austin will make his return to in-ring action.

The Texas Rattlesnake mentioned training for a comeback on his podcast. That led to the assumption that he was talking about WWE and WrestleMania.

J.R. wrote on his blog that Austin was only referring to training at Gold's Gym again. The Hall of Famer added, "While Steve always keeps an open mind on returning to the ring for one last match, that's not an immediate goal of his or even on the back burner." 

It's far more likely we see Austin doing the kind of work that Hulk Hogan is asked to do right now, acting as a spokesman and making appearances.

Whether it's a role like that is unclear, but the company is reportedly discussing having Austin do more. PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports, "I can confirm that we've heard from those within WWE that there's been talk of Austin having a greater role in the company in 2015."

Any amount of Austin in WWE would be welcome. Just don't expect him to stomp a mudhole in anybody.