WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Ryback, Vaudevillains and More

Ryback's backstage discussions with management and the reported original plans for The Vaudevillains headline the newest batch of WWE rumors.

The Big Guy was noticeably absent from Monday's Raw. While Superstars skip shows all the time, in this case, this may have been the result of Ryback clashing with WWE.

As for The Vaudevillains, an injury ended their match at Payback 2016 early. What WWE reportedly had in mind for the bout is not a surprise given how things then went down on Raw the next night.

Other rumors touch on Rich Brennan's reaction to getting a pink slip from the company and the shifting plans for Becky Lynch and Emma.

Ryback Contract Dispute 

The Big Guy is reportedly at odds with WWE as he and the company discuss his next contract.

Manish Swarup/Associated Press

Mike Johnson wrote for PWInsider.com that Ryback's "contract with the company expires this summer and the two sides have been, according to several sources, at odds over negotiations for a new contract."

Johnson also noted that he heard WWE sent Ryback home or perhaps the powerhouse himself asked to be pulled from TV.

On F4WOnline.com, Dave Meltzer reported on the situation. He wrote, "Several sources have noted that there was an issue with Ryan Reeves [Ryback], who was scheduled in the Battle Royal tonight on Raw but did not appear on the show."

This sounds like a situation where Ryback believes he is worth more than WWE is willing to shell out for him.

And Ryback's frustration with his spot on the card is no secret. During a recent trip to Dubai, he told radio personality Myles that he was far from satisfied with where he was at the last three WrestleManias. Ryback added, "I've heard in this business hard work doesn't always pay off. So maybe The Big Guy has to go find another world where that does pay off."

Could that other world be TNA? That company may allow him to stand on a higher rung on the ladder, but its financial struggles suggest it wouldn't be able to outbid WWE.

Backstage Word on Emma vs. Lynch 

Lynch and Emma squabbled back and forth before Payback, but ultimately both women remained backstage during the pay-per-view. Officials, though, had reportedly considering placing them on the card.

According to PWInsider Elite (h/t Wrestling Inc), WWE planned to do Lynch vs. Emma at Payback, and it isn't clear why it didn't end up happening.

Lynch and Emma then collided on the Raw after Payback. That may just be all we get of that story, but it makes more sense to keep it going.

Lynch's popularity surged as she sought the women's title this year. Taking advantage of that by putting her in a feud with the revamped Emma would be a great move.

Extreme Rules could certainly use two talented wrestlers like them.

Details on Brennan's Release

Brennan didn't see the end of his WWE tenure coming.

Pro Wrestling Sheet's Ryan Satin broke the story of WWE letting Brennan go last week. Satin later reported, "Our sources say Rich was shocked since he had been assured that his position in the company was safe after Mauro Ranallo was hired back in December and he's not sure what caused things to change."

"

Thank you. Come again. #NewAdventures

— Rich B (@RichBocchini) April 27, 2016"

Not long after word of Brennan's release emerged, Arda Ocal (known as Kyle Edwards for WWE) announced his own departure via Twitter:

"

I have parted ways with the WWE! No hard feelings what so ever. Time to move on to a new chapter. #GoodVibesAndPositiveThoughts

— Arda Ocal (@ArdaOcalTV) April 29, 2016"

This looks to just be a case of WWE shuffling its deck. The company recently hired Cathy Kelley, and Ranallo joined the SmackDown crew in January. Greg Hamilton has been getting increased airtime of late, as well.

If WWE needed to trim its commentary and announcer team, Hamilton or David Otunga would have been better options. Brennan is no Ranallo, but he did strong, consistent work for NXT.

Rumored Original Payback Tag Team Plans 

At Payback 2016, the finals of the tag team tournament ended in a scary moment. Enzo Amore banged his head on the ring and fell unconscious to the floor.

Needless to say, the match didn't continue. And the battle to become No. 1 contender had to be tabled.

The next night, WWE announced that The Vaudevillains would go on to challenge The New Day while Amore healed. That looks to be the direction the company was going to go with anyway.

According to PWInsider (h/t Wrestle Zone), WWE planned for The Vaudevillains to win on Sunday to set up a title match against The New Day. The report also noted that rumors pointed to The Dudley Boyz costing Amore and Colin Cassady the match.

While The Vaudevillains don't have the momentum to be at home in a tag title feud yet, this scenario makes sense. Simon Gotch and Aiden English being heels makes them a better fit as rivals for the champs. Amore and Big Cass, meanwhile, would have had the opportunity to build on their feud with The Dudley Boyz.

A collision between those two teams should be coming in the near future anyway. Amore was released from the hospital on Sunday night.

Hopefully, Amore makes a full recovery in no time at all, and he can get back to doing what he does best.