WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Brock Lesnar, Sami Zayn and More

There are some stars whose stature within WWE is such that they can alter or completely change booking plans.

This week in the world of WWE rumors is information regarding one such Superstar, who went from originally working with one performer to finding his way into the marquee match of this year's WrestleMania 33.

Also on tap are details surrounding a lovable babyface underdog whose time as a prominent star on Monday nights may be drawing near.

Finally, which Superstar with ties to the current WWE product will become immortalized in the WWE Hall of Fame come WrestleMania weekend?

Find out the answer to that question and more with this week's look at WWE rumors and news.

Brock Lesnar Nixes WrestleMania Plans

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t WrestlingInc.com's Raj Giri) recently reported that Brock Lesnar, originally scheduled to face Shane McMahon at WrestleMania, nixed those original plans for The Showcase of the Immortals. "He certainly didn't want to do it," he said of Lesnar's willingness to work with the prodigal son.

Moments after brutalizing Randy Orton to a knockout decision at SummerSlam, Lesnar flattened McMahon with an F-5, seemingly setting in motion a rivalry that would lead into the most significant event of the year.

The Goldberg feud happened, and the former WCW star opted to stay with the company, creating a much more intriguing program for Lesnar to partake in. Even if Goldberg had not re-signed with the company, there is no guarantee Lesnar would have worked with McMahon.

Even if he had agreed to, fans witnessed just last year when he worked with Dean Ambrose how underwhelming a performance Lesnar can turn in when he is not invested in a specific match or rivalry. Whether it was grandstanding from a massive star or a simple declaration that he did not want to work a "spectacle" match with McMahon is irrelevant.

All that matters now is that Lesnar focuses his attention on Goldberg and improving on their previous bouts at the biggest show of the year.

Sami Zayn's Downward Spiral

Since Finn Balor's injury last August, Sami Zayn's status on Raw has improved tenfold. He has become a prominent babyface on the Monday night show, giving Braun Strowman his first substantial feud and regularly competing against the likes of Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho and Seth Rollins.

The recent babyface turn of Jericho and the impending return of Balor, though, leaves Zayn's place on the roster in doubt.

According to a recent report by Cageside Seats' Randall Ortman, Zayn will see his profile diminished in the coming weeks.

"With Finn Balor back and Chris Jericho now a babyface (and planning to stick around), Sami Zayn isn’t expected to be featured in high-profile angles on Raw moving forward."

Unfortunately, Zayn has never been given a strong enough push to suggest this scenario will not play out. It also raises this question: Would Zayn benefit from a trade to SmackDown, where the babyface side of things are not nearly as strong or plentiful as they are on Monday nights?

A dynamic performer who has the ability to generate sympathy from any audience he competes in front of, Zayn is one of the best, purest babyfaces in the industry. His work is deserving of an uninterrupted push that is not dependent upon roster depth.

It does not appear that will be coming anytime soon.

A Regal Hall of Famer

According to PWInsider.com (h/t Ortman), William Regal will be the next inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.

A former intercontinental, European and tag team champion, not to mention the 2008 King of the Ring, Regal is an all-time great performer whose penchant for infuriating audiences with his prudish demeanor and despicable antics are second only to his willingness to poke fun at himself for the entertainment of the audience.

He is a fantastic professional wrestler, an in-ring technician who can wrap his opponents up like a pretzel, and he is a tough Brit whose contributions to the industry include bringing that stiff, hard-hitting style to the States in the 1990s.

A major star for both WCW and WWE, he has more than earned the honor. His greatest contribution, though, may be his work as a talent scout for Vince McMahon's company. Currently working for Paul "Triple H" Levesque's developmental program, Regal scours the globe for the next stars to compete in the rings of NXT, Raw and SmackDown.

Having begun his career as a circus competitor, fighting locals for money, he competed on the biggest stages known to professional wrestling, and if reports are true, he will take his place among the greatest of all time on April 1.