WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Cody Rhodes, Ryback and More

WWE may have been in contact more with Cody Rhodes than Ryback of late, despite the former no longer working for the company and the latter still being under contract.

The latest round of WWE rumors offered an update on where both Superstars stand with Vince McMahon and Co. Rhodes left to venture into the independent scene but could be working out a deal concerning his likeness. As for The Big Guy, his stalemate with WWE officials continues.

Ryback looks to be just waiting for his contract to expire so that he can follow Rhodes' lead and wrestle on smaller stages.

Other rumors point to WWE preparing to raid the NXT women's division and Simon Gotch potentially getting injured at a house show. But first, let's touch on a few stories from last week.

Quick Look Back

Last Monday, Paige wrestled on Raw despite reports of her having a run-in with law enforcement. The booking didn't match up with the rumors. But we may now know why.

The confusion began after Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that Paige was taken to the hospital in Las Vegas after being detained by police. The former Divas champ then went on to challenge Charlotte the next night.

That could be because the incident that led to her getting handcuffed wasn't her fault at all. Fellow WWE star and Paige's boyfriend, Alberto Del Rio, reportedly gave Court Bauer of MLW Radio (NSFW language) some valuable info about what happened that night.

Bauer said that Del Rio told him that he and Paige were being harassed by hecklers. A disturbance followed, even after the couple left the hotel. Police soon arrived.

That would explain the initial handcuffing as police were trying to quell the situation and figure out what was going on. If the Del Rio story is true, then WWE would have no reason to punish Paige.

And hopefully no one went out and bought a load of Kurt Angle T-shirts anticipating his return. His comeback isn't as concrete as it first sounded.

Angle appeared on Mark Madden's radio show in Pittsburgh last week. When asked about coming back to WWE, Angle said, "Will I return? Yes, I don't know when." That, along with rumors, per PWInsider (h/t Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc), and speculation floating around about WWE trying to fill out its rosters after the upcoming brand split in July, had many envisioning Angle stepping back into a WWE ring.

That doesn't look to be something happening anytime soon.

Angle cleared up the situation in a sit-down with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. The former WWE champ said, "I had a talk with WWE. It's confidential. I will not be returning for the draft. Possibly in the future, most likely next year, but that is not a guarantee."

That's for certain. Nothing in the wrestling world is a guarantee.

Ryback's Future

Unless they have been perusing his work on the WWE Network, fans haven't seen Ryback in action since May. The powerhouse went home after a contract dispute, which he detailed in a blog post on May 3.

There has been not only been no progress between company and performer, the two sides may not have been speaking at all.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson reported:

"

WWE sources indicate there has been no communication between WWE and Ryback since the former WWE Intercontinental champion and the company hit a snag in their contract negotiations. It would appear that Ryback will be hitting the independents soon and we have also heard he is working on a supplements line.

"

It looks as if WWE is simply willing to let Ryback walk, while The Big Guy is set on working somewhere else. As much as the company has showcased him in the past, it's surprising that WWE wouldn't at least try to sit down with him.

THOMAS SAMSON/Getty Images

With the brand split on the way, talent is going to be an even more vital resource than usual. But as it stands, the New Era promises to be one that doesn't include Ryback.

NXT Women Getting Called Up?

The women's division at both the NXT and main roster levels could be on the verge of major transformations.

It's not clear what WWE's plans are for its women when Raw and SmackDown become two separate shows again, but the safe bet is that both shows will have plenty of NXT flavor. According to PWInsider Elite (h/t Middleton), there has been talk of bringing up Bayley, Carmella and Nia Jax.

Bayley has long been ready to perform for a wider audience. Carmella and Jax, though, are more works in progress. Sticking around the developmental brand a bit longer would be beneficial for both women.

But WWE has shown that it isn't exactly patient with the call-up process. Dana Brooke moved away from NXT this year long before she was ready.

If these rumored call-ups all happen, Raw and SmackDown will suddenly have lots more depth. NXT, however, will have to rebuild its women's division. That would make four talents lost on top of Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Emma in the past year.

Gotch Nicked Up?

Thanks to WWE keeping so quiet about its injury list, fans don't know what's going on with Gotch of The Vaudevillains.

The former NXT tag champ was reportedly hurt at a house show in Jacksonville, Florida. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer wrote: "Simon Gotch was shaken up after being kicked in the face. We don't have an update past the point that after the kick, he rolled to the floor and never got back in the ring, and needed help to the back and they put up an 'X' sign."

Gotch responded to all the buzz that and other reports created with a touch of humor. He tweeted a famous Mark Twain quote, seemingly poking fun at it all:

The only thing that cleared up, though, is that Gotch's typing fingers aren't out of commission.

The mustached grappler didn't compete on Monday's Raw, but that could just as easily have been because of booking rather than him being banged-up. The Vaudevillains haven't been a high priority for WWE lately, healthy or otherwise.

Communication with Cody

Yes, it appears WWE has been talking with Rhodes, but it's not about him making a return.

The man formerly known as Stardust has been busy setting up dream matches on the indies against the likes of Angle and Roderick Strong since leaving the company last month. It hasn't taken long, though, for Rhodes to start talking business with WWE again.

Johnson of PWInsider reported: "We've heard there's been communication over the last few days between WWE and Cody Rhodes, who just departed the company."

Before one gets too excited, know that the deal may just be regarding merchandise. Johnson wrote: "There's been discussion about the company signing him to some sort of deal similar to their Legends deal, which would allow the company to release merchandise, etc. using his likeness."

It's best to just enjoy the indy portion of Rhodes career for now. He may only be coming back to WWE in action figure form for now.