WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Daniel Bryan, The Miz and More

It's not clear how long Daniel Bryan and The Miz will be gone, but rumors point to both WWE Superstars missing Extreme Rules and beyond.

Bryan's Intercontinental Championship match against Bad News Barrett is in jeopardy due to the champ's health. Beyond that, WWE is being tight-lipped about what's going on with the well-maned warrior.

As for The Miz, he is rumored to be out of the picture for the time being as well. It's another opportunity in front of the camera that is said to be pulling him away, not injury. In other WWE rumors, there is confusion surrounding Seth Rollins' signature move and Orton apparently pushed back against a group of fans. 

The biggest story remains what shape Bryan is in and what to expect from him going forward. 

Questions About Bryan's Health

Last week, the European tour ended early for Bryan. WWE pulled him as a "precautionary measure," per a company statement (h/t PWInsider.com). The statement offered no explanation as to why WWE made the move.

However, Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Wrestle Zone) reported that WWE removed Bryan from the tour due to concussion-like symptoms. That may not be the case, though.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports that "WWE sources have denied that and said he was pulled because he had been banged up and the company wanted to give him some rest. If there is a deeper, more serious reason beyond that explanation, we have not been able to confirm it."

Even after those reports, fans have little clarity about the situation. Bryan is clearly not well, but whether it is the aftereffects of his neck surgery last year, concussions or something else entirely, we don't know.

Credit: WWE.com

On Monday's Raw, the announcers mentioned that Bryan was out. Of course, they didn't specify what was wrong with him. The company did announce on WWE.com that "Bryan is undergoing diagnostic testing to see if he can defend his title at Extreme Rules."

That could well be a series of concussion tests.

It would explain why WWE is so unclear about the timetable of his return. The company is sure to be extra careful with that type of injury, especially with Bryan's history of concussions.

The Curb Stomp Gone?

Rollins used a DDT/Facebuster move on Monday's Raw rather then hit the Curb Stomp. That has fans wondering what's going on and if recent rumors that WWE has banned his finisher are true.

According to F4WOnline (h/t Wrestling Inc), the Curb Stomp is not banned, per se, but Rollins will be using his new move instead. The report goes on to note that WWE doesn't want to call attention to the move not being used anymore.

Call it what you want, but that sounds like it's banned.

It's an odd move for a variety of reasons. For one, there are a number of other moves that involve the head if WWE is concerned with causing concussions. Isn't the superkick just as likely to ring someone's bell? 

The timing is strange as well. WWE is about to put on a show where a Chain match, a Chicago Street Fight and a bout inside a steel cage will all be featured. Suddenly, the Curb Stomp doesn't sound so bad.

The news makes Extreme Rules intriguing for a new reason. Fans will be watching—not only to see if Rollins wins but if he uses the Curb Stomp to do so.

If he retains the title through that DDT variant that we saw on Monday night, consider the Curb Stomp done with.

Randy Orton's Reported Incident with Fans

Orton reportedly played a heel role in real life. He went off on some fans who may have been too pushy.

PWInsider's Johnson reports:

"

I heard from a few WWE sources last night that when the WWE crew landed in Albany, NY following the flight back to the United States, there was a pretty sizable group of fans waiting in the baggage claim area trying to get photos and autographs. I was told that Randy Orton pretty much 'berated' the fans for bothering the wrestlers after an extremely long flight and tour.

"

That's not surprising considering the hours the wrestlers work during the European tour. It's a grueling week overflowing with travel. The thought of Orton being short-tempered by the end of it is easy to buy.

Before anyone starts to label him a bad guy because of this, he should put himself in Orton's boots. It's impossible to be the smiling, giving company representative 100 percent of the time.

Besides, this is the same guy who just last week made a kid's day through the Make-A-Wish Foundation:

The Miz Off TV?

With The Miz "brand" on the line against Damien Mizdow on Monday's Raw, many fans wondered if this was a way to write The Miz off TV in order for him to shoot his latest movie. After all, his co-star Paige took a beating last week that seemed to be her exit off WWE programming.

Miz won on Monday night. That left it unclear whether he was still headed for Hollywood or going to collide with Mizdow at Extreme Rules.

According to PWInsider, "The Miz will be doing promotional work for WWE today to promote 'The Marine 4' in New York City and is then slated to head to Canada to film 'Santa's Little Helper' for WWE Studios."

It looks like the Miz-Mizdow feud will be put on hold. And Paige's scheduled title match with Nikki Bella is presumably going to be changed before the event. 

It's not a big loss if The Miz isn't around for Extreme Rules. That was the expectation with rumors of his movie-making schedule going around. It's Bryan's absence at the event that will have the biggest impact.

A no-show from the IC champ will have fans worried about what's next for him.