WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Justin Gabriel, Daniel Bryan and More

How Justin Gabriel left the company behind and what lies ahead for Daniel Bryan headline the latest wave of WWE rumors.

Gabriel sought employment elsewhere just before the year's first pay-per-view. While his departure was not nearly as dramatic as CM Punk's last year, it has reportedly left officials upset.

That's how some Bryan fans may feel when his WrestleMania spot is confirmed. The rumored bout for him is a fun one, but not the WWE title shot some folks were rooting for. Still, recent developments on TV make one question if his rumored dancing partner will pan out.

In other WWE rumors, Alex Riley's absence leads to speculation, and Rey Mysterio may finally be set free.

Gabriel's Exit

Just as the Royal Rumble arrived, Gabriel departed. WWE announced that Sunday it had come to terms with the high-flyer's release.

Rumors about why he left have since emerged.

According to PWInsider.com (h/t Wrestle Zone), WWE officials are not happy with how Gabriel ended his tenure there. He reportedly left the arena before the final Raw preceding the Royal Rumble, as the creative team had nothing for him at the time. When Mark Carrano of talent relations went looking for him, Gabriel was gone.

The former tag team champ then told Carrano he was quitting.

We have yet to hear the story direct from Gabriel himself, but this sounds more than plausible. WWE had rarely used Gabriel as of late. It's not surprising at all to hear that he would be frustrated enough to just leave the arena. 

Gabriel has quickly moved on, booking several dates on the independent circuit, including a match at Pro Wrestling Syndicate's Frozen Fallout:

Zack Ryder has to feel a similar disenchantment about his WWE run. He rarely gets opportunities in the ring. Ryder following Gabriel's lead at some point this year won't shock anyone. 

Update on Mysterio

Mysterio has been in more backstage reports than matches over the last year.

That continues as PWInsider.com (h/t Wrestling Inc) reports that negotiations between him and WWE are nearly done. He reportedly could be released from the company soon.

Credit: WWE.com

While this makes sense for both sides, it's hard not to be skeptical. 

Over the past few months, fans have heard everything from WWE prepping stories for Mysterio, according to F4WOnline (subscription required), to, as Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported (h/t Wrestle Zone), a meeting between him and the company that didn't resolve any of their issues with each other.

Until Mysterio is officially "future endeavored," this is a story worth keeping an eye on. However, don't go placing bets that the luchador will be done any time soon. This story has dragged on too long to expect anything else.

Riley's Status

Riley did not appear on the Raw pre-show on Monday night. He didn't work the Rumble pre-show, either.

Normally, that wouldn't cause much of a stir, but he has recently been sending out a series of odd tweets, such as this one:

"

Very soon you will see a man put his life on the line for what he loves #RileyWalks Don't ever try and tell me who I am .

— Alex Riley (@AlexRileyWWE) January 27, 2015"

Fans began to wonder if Riley was being punished or, worse yet, had been released. Riley fans can rest easy.

PWInsider.com (h/t Wrestling Inc) reports that there is no word that Riley is gone from the company. He is expected to be back for next week's show.

WWE can't seem to decide what to do with him. He has jumped around from commentary to wrestling on house shows and now gets his talking gig taken away from him for a second time. While he's not a vital piece of the company, he can be a lot more valuable than a guy who stays behind the curtains waiting.

He's sure to get as frustrated as Gabriel if this keeps up. 

WWE's WrestleMania Plans for Bryan

WWE should probably write the WrestleMania script in pencil. Changes keep coming.

After it was Roman Reigns who landed the headlining spot at the event by winning the Royal Rumble, Bryan was left without an obvious foe to face. The situation has only become more muddled over time.

According to F4WOnline (h/t PWMania.com), WWE planned to go with a Dolph Ziggler vs. Bryan match. The report notes that the match would develop on Monday's Raw.

It didn't. The company instead had Bryan defeat Seth Rollins to earn a shot at Reigns at Fast Lane. The winner of that bout takes on Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.

While there is a great chance that Reigns wins, thus sending Bryan back down the card where he would battle Ziggler, fans can't be sure at this point. He's just one victory away from heading back to the WrestleMania marquee.

The plan may be for Reigns to nab that spot, but there will certainly be some discussion backstage as Bryan's fans apply the pressure to WWE Creative.

At this point, it makes more sense to stick with Reigns vs. Lesnar and Ziggler vs. Bryan. Taking Reigns' opportunity away devalues the Rumble and the power of winning it. Besides, Paul Heyman already expertly sold the Reigns and Lesnar match on last week's snowed-in Raw.