WWE Rumors: Buzz on Road to WWE Survivor Series 2016 for Week of October 31

WWE Hell in a Cell 2016 is in the books, and the WWE Universe felt its reverberations this past Monday on Raw. Goldberg was there. Charlotte was there. Sasha Banks was not. And it led many people to speculate whether Banks was legitimately injured.

If she is injured for real, it wouldn't be surprising after the beating she took this past Sunday. If she is not, it reinforces Banks' status as one of the most talented workers in the business. Like her friend and rival, Bayley, Banks is a master of telling stories and selling injuries over extended periods of time.

There are a lot of interesting rumors out there this week, and most of them are either tied to the aftermath of Hell in a Cell or to the buildup for Survivor Series. Here are the best tidbits that we've picked up so far. And since these are rumors, take everything with a grain of salt.

Finn Balor Won't Be Back in Time for the Royal Rumble

Credit: WWE.com

After getting buckle-bombed into a barrier by Seth Rollins at SummerSlam, Finn Balor's labrum was torn, his cartilage was damaged and he was slated to be out for six months. That placed his return in February 2017, with enough time to build to WrestleMania.

But according to Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats, WWE was hopeful that Balor could return earlier, perhaps in time to make a surprise appearance at the Royal Rumble. There is precedent for this; WWE loves to surprise its fans, and John Cena's early return from injury at the 2008 Royal Rumble is one of the legendary moments of the pay-per-view.

However, the prospect of an early Balor return is looking less and less likely. And perhaps that is for the best; he needs to make sure he's completely healed, lest he comes back too early and injures himself again.

The Jeri-KO Breakup

Credit: WWE.com

The best bromance in WWE history may be coming to a close—and sooner rather than later. Ortman reported that Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho will break up, and that process may be starting as early as Survivor Series.

The cracks have been growing for quite some time. Jericho nearly called Owens a stupid idiot several weeks ago. And multiple wrestlers have warned Jericho that Owens will stab him in the back. Perhaps this is why Jericho has taken on a comedic edge with The List of Jericho. If and when Owens does kick him to the curb, The Prizefighter will get massive heat for doing so.

Austin Aries to Undergo Surgery

Credit: WWE.com

They don't call Shinsuke Nakamura The King of Strong Style for nothing. Last Wednesday, Austin Aries took a brutal Nakamura kick to the face. Onlookers knew it was legitimate; the officials had to stop the match, after all.

Aries then posted this barf-inducing photo on Twitter. Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported that Aries sustained an orbital bone fracture and that he will be undergoing surgery this week in Birmingham, Alabama. His slated return is the first quarter of 2017. This is looking to be a minor setback, but it's nothing that this rising star cannot recover from.

Sasha Banks Might Be Legitimately Injured

Credit: WWE.com

Sasha Banks had to be helped to the back by officials after her Hell in a Cell match against Charlotte, and she was absent on the following night's Raw. According to Ortman, this sparked speculation. Was she injured for real?

Per Busted Open radio (h/t Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc), which recently interviewed Ric Flair, there were two dangerous spots that were taken out of the match due to the fear that Banks would get injured. The decision was made in-ring during the show. Flair also hinted that one of the spots involved a moonsault—his daughter's, presumably. 

If true, this could explain why the high spots during the match seemed awkward or poorly paced. It might also lend credence to the idea that Banks was injured during the match. That would be a legitimate reason to nix a dangerous stunt.

A Change in Plans for Charlotte and Sasha Banks

Credit: WWE.com

And lastly, here's the rumor that's going to generate the most controversy. According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc), the Charlotte win was not the original plan.

The original plan was for Banks to go over, just as she was scheduled to go over at SummerSlam as well. It was Vince McMahon's decision to have Banks drop the belt. He reportedly liked the idea of a Bayley vs. Charlotte feud happening sooner rather than later.

This is a disappointment to all of Banks' fans, and losing high-profile matches has become an unfortunate trend for The Boss. Hopefully she'll get another high-profile shot at the title before WrestleMania season and, this time, walk away the winner.