WWE Rumors: Buzz on Road to WWE Backlash 2016 for Week of Sept. 8

WWE is just days away from its first brand-exclusive pay-per-view with the return of Backlash on Sunday, but the rumor mill this week focusses on plenty of action elsewhere in the company.

Even though SmackDown looks set to put on a compelling show this weekend as WWE moves further into its New Era with two pay-per-view shows a month, most of the big talking points this week concern what is happening on Raw.

That said, there's still one interesting note as Backlash nears—as well as one concerning a former WWE Superstar.

Wade Barrett to Ring of Honor?

It has been four months since WWE parted company with Wade Barrett, and there's still no real clue as to what his next move will be in the wrestling world.

While guys like Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes have left WWE and thrown themselves straight into other in-ring projects, Barrett has instead decided to focus on his acting career.

However, that looked to have changed this past week when Ring of Honor icon Prince Nana tweeted the following:

Does that mean Wade is on his way to ROH? Well, apparently not. Wrestling Inc noted that Nana was merely joking around and that it's not going to be happening anytime soon.

A guy as talented as Barrett is bound to command plenty of attention as a free agent. Although ROH isn't on the radar now, it could well happen in the future.

Cesaro's WWE Future in Question?

Cesaro fans will have been relieved on Wednesday when news emerged from WWE's live event in London that he managed to get his first win on the board in the marathon series between himself and Sheamus:

That means with three matches to go, Cesaro still has a chance of winning the series. Beyond that, however, his future looks increasingly less clear.

According to 411Mania (h/t Inquisitr), there's speculation that The Swiss Superman could be set for a dramatic exit from the company. It was also suggested that Cesaro is approaching the end of his current WWE contract and has as little as a month remaining on it.

Those rumors increase speculation that he has not signed a new deal as of yet, and with him being outspoken about his position in the company immediately following the draft, kayfabe or not, it will certainly get people talking.

Surely Cesaro won't leave just yet?

Roman Reigns' Upcoming Plans

Raw closed on Monday with the door left open for Roman Reigns in the WWE Universal Championship picture.

Kevin Owens will face Reigns on next Monday's show, and if The Big Dog wins, he'll go straight into the mix for the title at Sept. 25's Clash of Champions alongside Seth Rollins.

But the daily rumor roundup from Cageside Seats earlier this week should give a clearer picture as to what is going on.

It's reported that Reigns will not be in the title picture for that upcoming pay-per-view, meaning he is set to lose on Monday's Raw to Owens.

Furthermore, Cageside Seats noted that with Rusev out of action, Reigns will enter a feud with Chris Jericho to keep him ready for Rusev's return.

This is hugely encouraging news, as it leaves Owens and Rollins in the title picture and has Reigns beefing up the midcard elsewhere.

That same report also noted that John Cena won't be at Backlash this weekend. He's working an international tour with stops in Manila and Shanghai.