WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Randy Orton, Sting and More

Survivor Series fueled the latest WWE rumors with rumblings around both who didn't show up (Randy Orton) and who did (Sting).

Backstage word on Orton's return gives some clarity on what WWE has planned for him. It doesn't offer a time frame, though. Reports about Sting don't offer much in the concrete info department either, but it looks as if he's gearing up for more than one match.

Other rumors center on what AJ Lee's loss meant for her future and what happened with what was supposed to air after Survivor Series.

We begin with the man who got everyone talking by ensuring that The Authority went out of power.

Sting's Schedule

From the moment Sting touched down in WWE for the first time, the Internet has been flush with questions about who he will eventually battle.

He has long campaigned for a WrestleMania showdown with The Undertaker, but his actions at Survivor Series pointed to a possible clash with Triple H. We may in fact get both.

According to PWInsider.com (h/t WrestleChat.net), Sting has signed a performers contract, with him possibly wrestling more than one match. The report also notes that WWE intends to tease Sting's next appearance a lot until he's needed for a big event.

It makes sense to plug Sting into a Royal Rumble match against Triple H to build toward WrestleMania. 

Credit: WWE.com

That can properly hype his next bout, be it against The Undertaker or someone else. Thanks to his age and worn-down body, fans aren't expecting a full-on run, but the possibility of a pair of matches is intriguing.

WWE would be smart to pair him with wrestlers who can carry the match's load and ask very little of him. For that reason, Bray Wyatt is an option WWE needs to consider with him at WrestleMania.

Being the last man to face Sting would elevate Wyatt's career like few things could.

Survivor Series Aids AJ Lee Rumors

Rumors have persisted about AJ leaving the WWE in the near future. The fact that she lost and did so in just seconds at Survivor Series only served to fan the flames of that story.

Credit: WWE.com

Reports continue to dispel those rumors, though.

PWInsider.com's Mike Johnson reports that after speaking with WWE sources, he was told "it was simply the way the match was booked that led to the quick ending and loss, not Lee requesting a release, trying to quit, or any of the other stories that seem to be making the rounds." 

The idea that AJ is on her way out has largely been built around speculation. Whispers of her wanting to start a family or her marriage to CM Punk affecting her status at work continue, but so do debunking reports like this one.

WWE booking the Divas title match at Survivor Series this way is likelier a case of the company not respecting that championship and division. It's far from the first time that we've seen the women get shafted in terms of ring time.

And the company is clearly in a short-reign pattern with the belt. Since the night after WrestleMania, there have already been five title changes. 

AJ was a part of every one of them.

What Happened to Survivor Series Post-Show?

In a sign of how last-minute decisions on Survivor Series must have been, the pay-per-view ran long and WWE chose not to broadcast a post-show.

The company had advertised that a WWE Network-exclusive fallout show would air after Survivor Series. Vince McMahon was supposed to offer his thoughts on what went down. He did not.

F4WOnline reports (h/t Wrestling Inc) that WWE had already taped the footage with McMahon but chose not to air it.

Credit: WWE.com

Perhaps the bitter speech he gave on Raw the next night was essentially what he would have said. McMahon's comments are not something fans are going to riot about not getting to see, but it's bad business practice not to deliver on what's advertised.

That's a surefire way to build distrust with your customer base.

Where Was Randy Orton?

The timing was perfect for Orton to make a surprise appearance.

Survivor Series was in Orton's hometown of St. Louis and his issues with Seth Rollins were motivation aplenty to have him screw over Team Authority. As fans who scour the dirt sheets knew going into Survivor Series, Orton was at the arena, ready for a moment that never came.

Instead, Sting made his WWE debut. Backstage word is that The Stinger is the reason the company held back an Orton return.

According to PWInsiderElite.com (subscription required, h/t Wrestling Inc), Orton was backstage at Survivor Series, but WWE officials decided against having him appear at the pay-per-view. The report notes that WWE believed it didn't need both Sting and Orton on the show.

It also indicated that WWE still plans to have Orton feud with Rollins when he does come back.

Sting's arrival was far bigger than Orton's appearance would have been, hometown or not. It appears that the company made the decision at the last minute, as it had both special guests ready to go backstage. This was the right choice.

The Orton attack can come at any time. Sting's debut was a huge way to bolster the pay-per-view and get folks talking and excited just as the free month of the WWE Network is set to end.