WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Braun Strowman, the Hardy Boyz and More

To suggest Braun Strowman is the hottest star in all of WWE would not be a stretch by any means and, as a result, The Monster Among Men finds himself at the heart of this week's WWE rumors.

In the middle of an intense rivalry with Roman Reigns that has generated tremendous crowd heat, Strowman has broken out and is a legitimate star for the flagship show.

What impact will this week's rumors have on the mammoth competitor's upcoming bout with Reigns at WWE Payback?

Why was fellow Raw star Matt Hardy in the news and what awaits two former NXT-turned-SmackDown Live stars this summer?

Find out now with this rumor roundup.

Plans for Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns

At Payback, Braun Strowman will battle Roman Reigns in what should be the main event of the Raw-exclusive pay-per-view.

Considering the high-profile nature of both stars, it will be imperative to protect both men so as to maintain their heat and momentum well into the summer. Cageside Seats reports WWE Creative will attempt to do just that, enlisting a special stipulation for their April 30 contest.

"Expect Braun Strowman's Payback match with Roman Reigns to add a stipulation next week, so Strowman can keep his momentum into a Brock Lesnar program and Roman can lose without taking a pin."

Given the disdain each Superstar has for the other, it would make sense for their second pay-per-view battle to carry some sort of gimmick with it. Given how wild the brawls have been, spilling into numerous parts of the building, a Falls Count Anywhere match may best suit the tone of the program.

The presence of Brock Lesnar at the heart of the potential decision to book a stipulation is interesting.

Even in his absence, he continues to affect both the short- and long-term booking of WWE. While some may complain about him not appearing regularly, that the company has such concrete plans involving him Strowman and Reigns has made for a much more focused, coherent story.

It is, in many ways, a throwback to the days when WWE Creative would plan stories out well in advance and build to them, rather than booking on the fly.

Broken Hardys?

According to Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Cageside Seats), WWE is working with Anthem Sports and Impact Wrestling to resolve legalities surrounding the use of the Broken Hardys characters.

If that is the case, it would not be the first time WWE has worked with Impact Wrestling.

In 2012, Ric Flair joined The Four Horsemen at the WWE Hall of Fame. Flair was under contract to the then-TNA Wrestling at the time and the promotion wanted fair compensation. As a result, Christian appeared for the company he previously worked for from 2005 through 2009. The details of that agreement were reported by F4WOnline.com (h/t WrestlingInc).

Matt and Jeff Hardy became two of the most buzzworthy stars in the industry during 2016 with the advent of the Broken Hardys storyline. Their work for Impact kept that company afloat during a turbulent time and, at the same time, brought a fresh new take on an industry that had grown somewhat stale.

The characters were innovative and fun, awe-inspiring and over-the-top. Soon, chants of "delete" filled arenas across the country as the brothers found new life in this, their second decade in the industry.

It makes complete sense that WWE officials would be eager to acquire the rights to use the gimmick on Raw.

The biggest question will be how much WWE has to pony up in order to secure the rights. Will it have to advertise the company's programming, send one of its stars to the Impact Zone or send monetary help?

It remains to be seen but rest assured, WWE is doing what it can to ensure the Broken Hardys delete the obsolete on Monday nights.

Potential Challengers to Randy Orton's Title

According to Cageside Seats, both Baron Corbin and Shinsuke Nakamura are expected to enter the WWE Championship picture on SmackDown Live sometime this summer.

Nakamura is currently embroiled in a rivalry with Dolph Ziggler, presumably to introduce him to the main roster fans and generate buzz for The King of Strong Style in his new surroundings.

Corbin was previously embroiled in an Intercontinental Championship rivalry with Dean Ambrose that somehow always felt beneath the NXT export.

The thought of both of them joining Randy Orton, AJ Styles and Kevin Owens at the top of the card is appealing in that it strengthens the title picture by infusing two fresh faces into the talented crop that already exists there.

Nakamura could win the title tomorrow and be a suitable face for WWE's Tuesday night brand, while Corbin needs one strong story to support what have been stellar in-ring performances in big-match situations. In either case, WWE has someone capable of carrying the brand on his back for the foreseeable future.