WWE Rumors: Buzz on Road to WWE Royal Rumble 2017 for Week of Jan. 6

WWE's first big pay-per-view of 2017 is just a matter of weeks away, and plenty of details are already starting to emerge about the Royal Rumble on Jan. 29.

However, this week's latest rumor roundup focuses on plans from WWE beyond the Rumble. 

With the company constantly scouring the market for fresh talent, there is speculation WWE is lining up a move to bring back some familiar faces later this year.

There's also talk about how often WWE fans can expect to see Goldberg in the ring in the first part of 2017, as well as an inside scoop on the WWE Hall of Fame.

Rick Rude Headed to the Hall of Fame

Rick Rude is one of the greatest heels in wrestling history, and it seems that he is headed for the WWE Hall of Fame, according to reports that have emerged this week.

PWInsider Elite (h/t Corey Jacobs of Wrestling News) reported that Rude, who tragically died in 1999, is going to be inducted at this year's ceremony.

This will please plenty of wrestling fans. Whether it was in WWE or WCW, Rude was one of the most unmissable stars during the 1980s and 1990s.

This feels like the least his legacy deserves. Whether he was working alongside Randy Savage and Jake Roberts in WWE or clashing with Sting in WCW, Rude is a deserving inductee into WWE's most illustrious class.

Hopefully this one proves to be true.

Is WWE Interested in The Hardy Boyz?

Is one of WWE's most dynamic tag teams in history about to return to the company?

A fair bit of water has passed under the bridge since Matt and Jeff Hardy left WWE. But in the last year or so, they've been at the heart of TNA's most engrossing storyline, with Matt becoming Broken Matt Hardy.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc) reported that there is interest from WWE in bringing back Matt or Jeff to the company.

The report detailed that TNA has tried to sign the brothers to exclusive deals with the company, but with their commitments on the indy scene, it will take plenty of money to tie them down.

Matt and Jeff will see their contracts with TNA expire next month, and TNA negotiations are in the early stages, according to the report. But can WWE lure one or both of them back to where they started?

The Latest on Goldberg's PPV Deal

The first Raw of 2017 featured an intriguing segment with the returning Goldberg, and now, more details have emerged about his deal for the first part of the year.

Goldberg's confrontation with Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman will have fans interested in what happens beyond the Royal Rumble for the former WCW champion.

Goldberg is going to work every Raw pay-per-view through WrestleMania, per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Middleton).

That means the Royal Rumble later this month, Fastlane in February and the big show, WrestleMania 33.

Will all these plans involve Brock Lesnar? Or will the folks at WWE have something else up their sleeves for Goldberg? It will be interesting to keep tabs on his plans as the relevant shows approach.