WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Sting, Shinsuke Nakamura and More

Sting is headed for a sendoff from a legend of the squared circle; Shinsuke Nakamura is preparing his exit from Japan. At least that's what the most recent batch of WWE rumors tells us.

WWE Internet rumblings offered answers to several noteworthy questions this week. Who will induct Sting into the Hall of Fame? Where in the blue hell has Sasha Banks been? And is The King of Strong Style really leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling for WWE?

Backstage reports helped provide insight into all of that.

This ranks as one of the most plausible sets of rumors in a long while. There is enough circumstantial evidence backing up these stories to have fans ditch their grains of salt.

Let's dig into all of them, in addition to word that an NXT tag team was backstage at Raw.

Update on Nakamura-to-WWE Rumors

It's looking more and more like Nakamura bringing his jaw-rattling knee attacks to WWE will be a reality.

The rumors began with a report from former WWE writer Court Bauer on MLW Radio (h/t SEScoops' David Bixenspan) of Nakamura, AJ Styles and two members of Bullet Club leaving NJPW for WWE. Fans had reason to be skeptical. That kind of talent raid doesn't normally go down.

WWE acknowledging the rumors last week sure made it seem like it could really happen. This week, news concerning Nakamura's title reign add another reason to start believing.

As Dave Meltzer mentioned on F4WOnline, NJPW will strip Nakamura of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Meltzer also noted that, "Nakamura will continue to appear on New Japan shows for the rest of the month, with his final match on the January 30th show at Korakuen Hall."

"

In an interesting development, New Japan Pro Wrestling has stripped Shinsuke Nakamura of the IWGP IC Championship. https://t.co/7IGn4ItUui

— Joey Styles (@JoeyStyles) January 12, 2016"

That could theoretically be evidence that Nakamura is going to Ring of Honor or TNA instead, but those are both far-fetched scenarios. If the Michael Jackson-inspired megastar is going to leave NJPW, it's going to be for big money, the kind of money only WWE has to offer him.

NXT Tag Team in New Orleans

WWE may have its eyes on Jason Jordan and Chad Gable for a call-up in the near future. The team reportedly traveled to New Orleans on Monday.

Meltzer reported on F4WOnline's Monday update, "Jason Jordan and Chad Gable are backstage at Raw, although I'd expect if they were to wrestle it would be for a dark match."

The match results for Monday's Superstars and Raw tapings on the Internet Wrestling Database reveal that Gable and Jordan didn't work dark matches for either show. No word on what, if anything, WWE has planned for the duo.

The fact that Gable and Jordan were at Raw, though, is noteworthy.

Not every NXT team is hanging out backstage with Vince McMahon and company. Keep an eye out for what else WWE has this squad do. The more opportunities alongside the main roster they get, the more likely they leave NXT for WWE proper.

Top Women's Wrestler Reportedly Injured

Naomi and Tamina Snuka not getting airtime of late may be a result of uneven booking with the women's division. As for Banks, though, there's potentially a better explanation for her absence.

Mike Johnson reported on PWInsider, "Banks has suffered an MCL injury to one of her knees and is not expected back in the ring until sometime next month." WWE has not announced this injury. Banks hasn't confirmed in on social media either.

Still, it's hard to imagine WWE pulling Banks out of the spotlight suddenly unless she was hurt.

Credit: WWE.com

Banks hasn't wrestled since Dec. 28, per CageMatch.net. If she's not injured and the company simply hasn't used her talents at all this year, someone within WWE needs to be fired.

Hall of Fame Update

The Stinger is set to be the only wrestler to be inducted into both the TNA and WWE Hall of Fame. WWE announced Monday that it would induct Sting during WrestleMania 32 weekend.

With that set, the question now becomes: Who ushers him into the Hall? One report pointed to WWE planning on going with the obvious move.

Johnson reported on PWInsider, "The current plan is for Ric Flair to induct Sting into the WWE Hall of Fame this April."

Flair helped launch Sting's career as his archenemy. They battled for the NWA and WCW world titles on countless occasions. Sting and Flair wrestled against each other in the very last match on WCW Nitro. 

Having The Nature Boy do the honors for Sting is a no-brainer. Unless Black Scorpion is available, of course.