WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Undertaker, Dudley Boyz and More

With the buzz of SummerSlam and Monday's Raw still crackling, questions now emerge about Undertaker's and The Dudley Boyz's WWE futures.

The Deadman's health is a hot topic on the rumor mill. Fans worry that, like last year, he walked out of his match against Brock Lesnar hurt. As for Bubba Ray and D-Von, online discussion revolves around what WWE's plans for them are after they crashed the party at the Barclays Center on Monday night.

Are the former tag team champs just going to pop in and out?

In other stories, rumors point to why we haven't seen Lana wrestle and WWE's possible discussions with the World Wrestling Network (WWN). But first, let's see what the latest backstage reports tell us about Undertaker's condition.

Undertaker Updates

Moments after Undertaker's battle with Lesnar at SummerSlam, he appeared to collapse as he made his way up the entrance ramp. New Age Lucha shared video of what looked like The Phenom falling to one knee:

This was after the show was over. Was this real, then?

Concern soon spread. Fans wondered whether Undertaker had suffered another concussion. It appears that he was indeed hurt, but not as bad as that video makes it look:

Dave Meltzer reported in the F4WOnline Monday Update, "We don't believe there was a serious injury, and he wasn't hospitalized. But he did go home and is not expected at Raw." PWInsider's Mike Johnson wrote, "I am told that while Undertaker was banged up from a very physical match, he returned to his hotel last night straight from the venue."

"Banged up" is a far better state than he was in last year, when he spent the night after WrestleMania 30 in the hospital.

Meltzer's and Johnson's stories point in the same direction. It's not surprising that a man of Undertaker's age getting in the ring with a beast like Lesnar would be smarting afterward. It appears that Undertaker's health isn't anything to worry about, though.

WWN Working with WWE?

There has long been talk of WWN (the parent company of EVOLVE) working out some kind of partnership with WWE. The latest on that is promising for those looking forward to the idea.

Writing for PWInsider, Johnson reported, "WWNLive's Gabe Sapolsky and Sal Hamaoui are in town and backstage at the WWE NXT Takeover: Brooklyn event, likely to continue discussions about their potential working relationship with NXT."

The fact that officials from another promotion were backstage at the live special is telling in itself. That's a rarity with WWE. You're not going to see Dixie Carter visiting backstage at Night of Champions.

This doesn't confirm anything, however. Johnson is merely putting two and two together. There has been no word yet on WWE coming to an agreement with WWN.

This is a story that is not talked about nearly enough. Should a deal come together, it would be a revolutionary move, as WWE would show itself to be willing to adapt its usual way of doing business. Besides, it would open the door for a number of talented wrestlers to make it to NXT.

Backstage Word on Lana

There may be a reason beyond just lazy storytelling why Lana and Summer Rae continue to catfight without it leading to an actual match.

Meltzer mentioned on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Wrestle Zone) that an undisclosed medical situation is reportedly keeping WWE from clearing her to compete.

There hasn't been anything else to go on with this story. No other major sources have confirmed any kind of injury or ailment holding her back. It doesn't mean it's not true, but it's something to avoid taking for a fact just yet.

WWE seems to be pointing toward a mixed-tag match between Lana and Dolph Ziggler and Rusev and Summer Rae. If Night of Champions comes and goes without The Ravishing Russian stepping into the ring, these rumors are going to catch fire.

Dudley Boyz Contract Situation

The New Day's victory celebration ended abruptly on Monday's Raw. The Dudley Boyz charged back into WWE, laying out the tag team champs.

After the excitement wore off, fans' minds naturally turned to the question of what's next for Bubba Ray and D-Von. How long are we going to get to see them smash folks through tables?

The answer is reportedly for the foreseeable future. According to PWInsider Elite (h/t Cageside Seats), The Dudley Boyz are back under a multiyear deal in which the pair will work both TV and house shows.

That's makes perfect sense. The tag team division needs both new faces and some established stars to put over younger guys. The Dudley Boyz can do both.

And it's easy to imagine them working for a few more years and then getting a Hall of Fame induction.