WWE Rumors: Buzz on Road to WWE Clash of Champions 2016 for Week of September 12

This past Sunday at Backlash, SmackDown put on one hell of a pay-per-view.

The show consistently delivered entertaining matches from front to finish against all odds. Randy Orton was out of action, still concussed from his SummerSlam clash with Brock Lesnar. John Cena was also missing, although he resurfaced this past Tuesday. SmackDown's roster is thin compared to Raw's to begin with; ironically, SmackDown benefits from lowered expectations.

Raw's Clash of Champions on Sept. 25, by contrast, suffers from high expectations. Given Raw's roster, it had better put on a superior show. A PPV that is as good as Backlash would be considered a loss. Merely exceeding Backlash would be perceived as a tie. Clash of Champions has to be a great show to be considered the winner in this friendly brand competition.

The best option might be to have a major surprise at Clash of Champions—perhaps a crazy return or an unexpected heel turn or any swerve that could blow up social media. And if the current buzz is to be believed, Raw might actually have a trump card to deal.

Here are the latest rumors as we continue down the road to Clash of Champions.

Is Goldberg on His Way?

According to PWInsider.com (h/t Cleveland.com), Goldberg was rumored to make an appearance at SummerSlam. He was definitely in New York for the WWE 2K17 red carpet event, and fans at the Barclays Center were chanting his name after the Randy Orton vs. Brock Lesnar match. When the lights in the arena came up to signal that SummerSlam was over, the boos broke out.

But Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats reported that at long last Goldberg might make his return to WWE at Clash of Champions. Goldberg is also negotiating to work a match at some point down the line. With the media blitz surrounding WWE 2K17, it's only a matter of time for that to happen as well. And when it does, the arena will explode with the loudest pop we've heard all year.

No Outside Interference

This past Tuesday, Dolph Ziggler tore into Miz, who cheated at Backlash to retain his WWE Intercontinental Championship. Ziggler demanded a rematch; only this time he wants Miz one-on-one, with no distractions, no Maryse and no fun and games. Ziggler's words may have foreshadowed a match stipulation.

Ortman also reported that Ziggler and Miz might meet at No Mercy on Oct. 9 in a steel cage. If this rumor is true, it would be a perfect escalation to their feud. It would eliminate Maryse from the picture, challenge Miz's "safe" wrestling style and allow Ziggler to continue mocking Miz for being a coward if he tries to back down.

Turning the Page

Credit: WWE.com

Paige has made some big decisions in the past few weeks. Most recently, she got a tattoo of "Alberto," which she absolutely will not regret.

But despite the multiple rumors to the contrary, getting out of her WWE contract does not appear to be one of those big decisions. According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com, Paige is scheduled to appear at the next Raw in Memphis, Tennessee, and she's scheduled for WWE house shows after that.

Paige seemed to confirm that report via social media. And unless this is just a cover for the real turmoil going on backstage, WWE fans can breathe a sigh of relief. She may still be with Alberto Del Rio romantically, but that doesn't mean she's following him out the same door.

Roderick Rumors

Back in 2005, Roderick Strong squared off against Kurt Angle on WWE SmackDown. The match was a squash, and it ended with Roderick howling in pain as Angle twisted his ankle.

Five years later, Strong was the Ring of Honor world heavyweight champion. And now, he may return to WWE as a conquering hero. Steve Carrier of All Wrestling News reported that Strong has signed with NXT. Hopefully, he debuts soon; WWE is calling up the NXT talent as quickly as it is replenished.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Strong? How about Booby Roode vs. Strong? Both of those feuds would be fun to watch and draw money.

You Didn't Imagine That CM Punk Spoof

And lastly, the answer is yes. Yes, the beginning of the Ziggler vs. Miz match at Backlash did look familiar, and no, it wasn't your imagination.

Many commentators noticed that Punk's KO defeat at UFC 203 was similar in both moves and execution. This led to speculation that WWE was trolling the Straight Edge Superstar. Ortman reported that this sequence of moves was definitely not a coincidence, though it seems unlikely that WWE would ever cop to it.

It's either funny or mean and petty. Come to think of it, maybe it's both.