WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Finn Balor, Eva Marie and More

Eva Marie enjoyed her first weekend with WWE during WrestleMania weekend in 2013.

According to rumors preceding this year's Showcase of the Immortals, her career in Vince McMahon's company has come to an end before she could achieve anything remotely resembling in-ring success.

The former Total Divas star is not the only NXT alum making news just days before Sunday's Mania.

Finn Balor has worked numerous WWE live events in recent weeks, and if new reports prove true, there was a method behind the company's choice to return him to in-ring action this close to WrestleMania.

Who else popped up in week's rumors and how might the news regarding them affect their futures under the WWE banner?

Eva Marie Gone From WWE?

Raj Giri of WrestlingInc reported Monday afternoon that Eva Marie, the polarizing redheaded competitor straight off the set of Total Divas, is finished with WWE.

"After asking around, a source at WWE informed me that the company will not be renewing Eva's contract. Eva had been with the company since 2013 and was a featured cast member of Total Divas for the show's six seasons. No announcement has been made by either side, but Eva is apparently done with the company."

If that source is accurate, it brings an end to a run that appeared promising last summer but petered out following a wellness policy violation that resulted in a 30-day suspension.

A former college soccer player, she appeared to be on the fast track to success in WWE. After being drafted to SmackDown Live during last July's brand extension, she received a fairly impressive push that saw her repeatedly get out of matches for a variety of reasons.

Her over-the-top entrance and arrogant strut to the squared circle infuriated fans and left them eager to see a favorite babyface such as Becky Lynch or Nikki Bella get their hands on her. Unfortunately, her story now goes unresolved.

Not someone who appeared wholly passionate about the industry in which she found herself, she has apparently already taken steps to distance herself from the company, per Giri's report:

"

Since the suspension, Eva has changed her hair color back to black and filmed two movies. She has also stopped mentioning wrestling on her social media accounts, instead posting messages related to her movies and fashion line. She has also removed references to WWE on her Twitter profile, although 'WWE Superstar' still appears on her Instagram account.

"

Any appearance in Orlando for this weekend's event appears unlikely.

Who Was WWE's Choice to Replace Seth Rollins Against Triple H?

When Seth Rollins suffered a knee injury that threatened his place in one of WrestleMania 33's marquee bouts, WWE officials worked hard to find a replacement for The Architect.

Enter Finn Balor, the former NXT and WWE Universal champion, who was returning from a severe injury of his own right. Ironically, it was an injury suffered while competing against Rollins at last August's SummerSlam.

According to former WWE writer Brian Maxwell Mann (h/t Cageside Seats), the leader of Balor Club was the company's choice to replace Rollins and square off with Triple H in what would have been the Irishman's biggest and most important match to date.

That does explain the interactions Balor has had with The Game at live events, including one Saturday night in White Plains, New York. At those shows, Balor teamed with Sami Zayn and Chris Jericho to battle The Cerebral Assassin, Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe in major Six-Man Tag Team matches.

Balor is an elite star on Raw and a Superstar who figures to play a major role in the brand's post-WrestleMania plans. Whether that involves a program with Triple H or a return to championship glory remains to be seen.

For now, though, it must be rewarding for Balor to know he is valued so highly by management that it would put him in a position to work with a future Hall of Famer in one of WrestleMania's top contests.

Asuka: NXT For Life?

According to Cageside Seats, NXT women's champion Asuka will not make her main roster debut post-WrestleMania.

"There are apparently no plans to promote Asuka from NXT to the main roster anytime soon," the report states.

That is disheartening news for Asuka, who has done everything there is to do since her arrival in NXT back in 2015. Undefeated during her stint with the brand, she stands head and shoulders above her peers. In fact, she has been booked so strongly since arriving that management has had a difficult time building competent competition for her.

On Saturday, she will defend her title against Ember Moon at TakeOver: Orlando. If the above report is accurate, it appears the showdown with the Houston native may be the start of a rivalry that carries over into the spring and summer months.