WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt and More

Rumors provide WWE fans with a behind-the-scenes look at Daniel Bryan's major announcement and the company's future plans for Bray Wyatt.

Bryan's health status remains a mystery to a degree even after the former WWE champ announced on Monday's Raw that he would be out of action for an unspecified amount of time. Neither he nor the company has come out and said just what injury he's dealing with.

A backstage report does, however, offer more details.

As for Wyatt, he is eventually set for a change in character. At least that's what the reported plans are as of now.

Other rumors cover how WWE is approaching the casting process for Tough Enough and the unexpected nature of the recent choice to bring back the Elimination Chamber. The following is a look at those stories as well as what's going on with Bryan and Wyatt.

Bray Wyatt, Babyface?

The Eater of Worlds has called himself a devourer, a monster and The New Face of Fear. He may be adding "hero to the people" to that list at some point.

According to F4WOnline (h/t WrestlingInc.com), WWE officials plan on turning Wyatt babyface in the future but believe it's not the right time to make the switch now.

Wyatt is a popular star, thanks in large part to his poetic promos. As odd as the idea of him as a face seems, with the right story, a turn toward good has great potential. He can be a protector and a savior, adjusting his rhetoric to fit the change in character.

This isn't something one should count on happening soon, though. Plans change so often that an idea like this can get abandoned in a hurry.

Fans heard whispers of Cesaro turning babyface back when he was with The Real Americans. It's only now just coming to fruition.

WWE's needs change with injuries, new arrivals and fans rejecting the company's plans, like when it tried to push Tensai as a top heel. Consider a potential Wyatt turn something to keep an eye out for rather than something to bank on.

Elimination Chamber Return

If the idea that the Elimination Chamber will be returning as a WWE Network-exclusive show surprises you, you're not alone. The wrestlers themselves reportedly didn't see this development coming.

PWInsider.com's Mike Johnson reports, "The decision to change a planned live event in Corpus Christi, Texas, from a house show to the returning WWE Elimination Chamber PPV was made within the last few days. The announcement came so out of nowhere that talents backstage at Raw were surprised."

This sounds a lot like how the company handled the King of the Ring tournament. In the hunt for more network subscribers, WWE is clearly pulling out any ideas it has cooking.

The trouble is this rushed method makes it hard to hype these shows. The Elimination Chamber event will come just two weeks after Payback, which will arrive only three weeks removed from Extreme Rules.

Once the network's numbers get to where WWE wants them to be, count on this kind of surprise schedule change happening less frequently. Exclusives like this one will instead be built into the calendar.

'Tough Enough' Casting

The returning Tough Enough series is beginning to come together. Chris Jericho is now slated to host it. He'll have Hulk Hogan, Paige and Bryan assisting him.

The show now just needs contestants. WWE is reportedly in the process of sifting through all the video submissions.

According to Johnson, "Casting executives have been picking talents they are interested in based on their videos and conducting Skype interviews with them to determine whether they will go further down the process."

This should come as no surprise to anyone. It's an easy way for WWE to better whittle down the field. These follow-up interviews make perfect sense and are made easy by today's technology.

The company is also posting many of the audition videos on its YouTube page. This allows the company to gauge fan reaction based on traffic, likes and comments. So far, WWE's strategy for the revamped Tough Enough edition is sound.

Backstage Word on Daniel Bryan Decision

Bryan's story took another nosedive. He relinquished the Intercontinental Championship on Monday's Raw. He talked about being hurt and not knowing when or if he could compete again.

That bit of info he shared was the most fans had heard on his status in weeks. WWE has been tight-lipped about the situation. It appears the company was simply waiting things out and hoping for the best.

Johnson writes for PWInsider.com:

"

The decision to bring Bryan to Raw and have him forfeit the belt was made on 5/8 after Bryan as the company received news that results from an MRI on his shoulder meant he wouldn't be returning to the ring after the one month layoff he was given. The company had been hoping Bryan would be back in the ring by later this month.

"

With this in mind, it makes sense that WWE pulled Bryan off TV but didn't strip him of the IC title right away. The company clearly thought he might heal in a short amount of time. No amount of finger-crossing and wishful thinking worked, though.

Bryan's future remains uncertain now. The situation has gone from looking like he might be back at any moment to wondering if he's done competing altogether.

Here's hoping he just needs a bit more rest and can get back to doing what he loves. It would be refreshing if the next Bryan rumor focused on who he might feud with rather than what state his arm is in.