WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around AJ Lee, Brad Maddox and More

WWE fans know better than to blindly believe everything published online. The rumors surrounding AJ Lee and Brad Maddox are good reminders of that.

There are plenty of stories out there about AJ leaving the company and Maddox no longer working for WWE. It doesn't take much digging to find out, though, that they aren't ones to trust.

Speculation fuels those rumors. The same is true for word of Maryse possibly coming back to WWE.

Believe the rumblings about her joining forces with The Miz, and you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Better to appreciate the Divas who are actually on the roster, one of whom is rumored to be soon splitting from WWE.

The "AJ Lee Is on the Way Out" Rumor

Word has been going around that AJ is nearly done with WWE, leaving perhaps as early as after Survivor Series. While the rumor may be gathering steam on the Internet, there is little reason to believe it.

The most we have to go on for now is, as Nick Paglino notes on Wrestle Zone, the Divas champ being advertised for WWE shows only up until the TLC pay-per-view.

That could be the result of anything from AJ taking a short break to her just not being listed for events she will eventually be working. Those listings aren't comprehensive, they're just samples of who is scheduled to be there.

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

No legit source has confirmed her potential departure. Bryan Alvarez mentioned the rumor on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Wrestle Zone), but he didn't say it was true.

The rumor has nothing solid to stand on. It's largely speculation based on her not being advertised for events past mid-December.

For now, ignore the familiar "AJ is quitting" stories. She's a rumor magnet and unfounded reports tend to zero in on her. Remember, there were a litany of reports that AJ was pregnant right before she returned to action in June.

The "Maryse Is Set to Return" Rumor

The Internet is also flush with talk of Maryse coming back to the ring.

This time, the catalyst is The Miz teasing fans on Twitter. WWE.com recently posted a poll asking which power couple was the fans' favorite. The Miz was happy that he and his wife were on the list and said that "maybe" fans would see "MarMiz":

That's all it took to get fans speculating and eventually believing that a Maryse return was imminent.

Don't go banking on her being a WWE Diva once more, though. There has been nothing beyond Miz's tease to think that she's coming back.

In fact, Maryse took to Instagram with a message that sounds a lot like an explanation of why she's not part of the roster anymore, writing, "I do not miss traveling 280 cities a year":

Take that as a "no" to her making a comeback right now. There's little reason to believe otherwise. Her dying her hair platinum blond again doesn't count.

The "Brad Maddox Has Been Fired" Rumor

Despite what you might have read, Maddox didn't follow The Great Khali out of the WWE.

Khali's contract expired this month and WWE didn't renew it, per Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com. That followed the company moving his profile to the "alumni" section of WWE.com. Fans have since noticed that Maddox's name is in that same section.

The resulting assumption is that WWE released Maddox as well. Places like Pro Wrestling Mag have even reported his supposed release as "breaking news":

The problem is, it isn't true. His profile is where it has been since The Authority fired him onscreen. It has nothing to do with his real-life status with the company.

Johnson reports that "Maddox in the WWE.com alumni section is playing off the fact he was fired on TV. He's still under contract."

For the moment, he's one of WWE's benchwarmers and among the first who would be cut if more budget trimming were needed. But the under-utilized talent is still on the payroll, despite rumors of his tenure being over.

Don't grieve for the end of his career just yet.