WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Steve Austin, Hell in a Cell and More

The bouts WWE reportedly has in mind for Steve Austin at the next WrestleMania and for several stars at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view comprise two opposite sides of the rumor spectrum.

Austin's landing a showdown with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 32 as rumored looks far less likely after The Texas Rattlesnake himself weighed in. He stomped a mud hole in a recent report on his in-ring future. 

As for the matchups reportedly set up for Hell in a Cell, WWE's recent actions point to those being ones fans can expect with one exception. None of them are surprising. Foreshadowing has already provided a peek at what's to come.

Other rumors emerging during September's last days include The Rock's potential WrestleMania opponent, whether Carlito is coming back to the company and a reportedly nixed idea involving NXT. 

Steve Austin Refutes WrestleMania Rumors

WrestleMania 32 could well feature Austin's return to action, but he made it clear that it won't be against The Beast Incarnate.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Fansided) had reported that WWE is considering pitting Brock Lesnar against The Rock, Steve Austin, Roman Reigns or Seth Rollins at next year's marquee PPV. Austin denied that info in an emphatic tweet:

(Tweet contains NSFW language.)

This could be a case of Austin's working the crowd, but it's doubtful.

Austin is routinely the source of comeback rumors around this time. It doesn't matter how often he says he's not coming back to wrestle another match; the conversation rages on. In this case, this is a dream match that WWE would love to pounce on, but it doesn't appear to be happening.

Fresh off Sting's collapsing during his match with Rollins at Night of Champions, WWE would likely be apprehensive about putting a 50-plus Austin in the ring with a monster such as Lesnar anyway.

Carlito Coming to WWE?

The recent rumblings about Carlito's making his way back to WWE look to be turning into nothing.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestle Zone), WWE was interested in re-signing him, but Carlito declined the offer. The report noted that the offer was low.

WWE has welcomed back several familiar faces from The Dudley Boyz to Chris Jericho of late. Carlito would have been an intriguing addition to that list. However, he isn't a big enough star for WWE to break the bank for.

It wouldn't be surprising at all if the two sides had completely different views on Carlito's value.

The former intercontinental champion can always find steady work with his father's World Wrestling Council promotion in Puerto Rico. So, he's not desperate enough to just accept any deal WWE throws his way.

NXT on Raw?

If you had the idea that WWE should dedicate one of Raw's three hours to an episode of NXT, you aren't alone. Apparently, someone within the company offered up that exact thought.

On Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez noted (h/t Wrestling Inc) that in 2014 the idea of having NXT be a part of Raw each Monday was shot down.

As fun as that would be, the USA Network wouldn't be thrilled with the idea of a developmental brand (even as popular as it is) taking over that prime TV slot. NXT serves a different, less casual audience. To mix those two worlds on the same block of time isn't as sure to be a success as some fans would believe.

That's not a real fix of Raw's issues anyway.

Even if Raw is cut down to two hours, WWE has to do a better job of executing the show. Overemphasizing Big Show and Kane would still hurt the product. Misusing guys such as Cesaro and Damien Sandow would leave fans unsatisfied. 

Potential Plans for The Rock at WrestleMania

WWE reportedly still wants two megastars to revisit a rivalry from the Attitude Era. The Rock is penciled in to face Triple H at next year's Showcase of the Immortals, according to F4WOnline (h/t Wrestle Zone).

The report also mentioned that WWE wanted to involve Ronda Rousey in this mix, but with her committed elsewhere, the company is instead eyeing a one-on-one clash between The Game and The Great One.

That's a big match that's sure to draw attention. It's also a boring, safe option. It's in no way fresh and a missed opportunity as well.

The WWE roster is flush with young talent now. To not let any of those guys gets a crack at The Rock instead is a mistake.

However, it's highly believable that this is the direction WWE is going. The company teased the bout with a backstage segment on SmackDown in 2014 and by having them meet in a Rousey-centered scene this past WrestleMania.

Don Feria/Associated Press

Hell in a Cell Possibilities 

Only Lesnar vs. Undertaker is official for Hell in a Cell as of now. Fans can see the card coming together, though, with how things have played out on Raw the past few weeks.

To further confirm those thoughts, a recent report offered a glimpse inside WWE's head. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc) reported that WWE is currently planning the following bouts for the PPV:

• Kevin Owens vs. Ryback (Intercontinental Championship)
• Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns vs. The Wyatt Family
• Kane vs. Seth Rollins (WWE World Heavyweight Championship) 

There are two obvious ones there. The title matches are clearly where the company is headed.

Kane has been hunting Rollins down since Night of Champions. On Monday's Raw, he chased the champ out of the ring and lifted his title in the air.

That's as strong a hint as you get.

Owens and Ryback have collided often of late, too. The Big Guy's getting his rematch at Hell in a Cell is a safe bet.

It's the six-man tag that is least likely to happen. After Reigns and Bray Wyatt's chaotic brawl to end Monday's show, one would assume that a Hell in a Cell match is next.

That's the next logical step. Following up the kind of war they had with a six-man contest would be a letdown. Perhaps Orton and Ambrose team up to take on Luke Harper and Braun Strowman instead.

That offers the show more star power and an already-in-progress story while freeing up Wyatt and Reigns to cause havoc inside the PPV's trademark steel structure.