WWE Rumors: Examining Latest Buzz Around Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman and More

The impending war between Samoa Joe and Brock Lesnar has created a buzz around the Raw brand that could well lead to the altering of plans for the WWE universal champion going forward, and the extension of their rivalry, the rumor mill revealed this week.

The Destroyer and Beast Incarnate are not the only two stars to have made headlines over the past seven days.

A certain Monster Among Men is en route back to Raw, where he figures to interject in the Universal Championship picture and avenge an attack at the hands of one of the brand's elite competitors.

And what of the UFC icon who ignited her own women's revolution in mixed martial arts? How might Ronda Rousey play into WWE plans this summer and beyond?

Find out with this collection of rumors from around the internet.

Samoa Joe vs. Brock Lesnar to Extend Past Great Balls of Fire?

Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats reported Tuesday that Samoa Joe's feud with WWE universal champion Brock Lesnar may continue past the July 9 Great Balls of Fire pay-per-view.

"Officials are happy with the start of the Samoa Joe vs. Brock Lesnar feud and are open to extending it past Great Balls of Fire if ratings and other factors indicate there’s fan interest in a longer program," Ortman said.

It is hard to find fault with management if the reports are accurate.

Joe has seized his opportunity and, in two superb television segments, has done more to drum up excitement for a Universal Championship match than anything WWE Creative has done in the wake of Lesnar's victory at WrestleMania.

The intensity with which he approaches his segments strikes a nerve with a fanbase tired of the laid-back, emotionless promos from his fellow top stars. They want the fury, the anger and the rage. It lends a sense of urgency and seriousness to the flagship show it has been missing for months.

Joe's work with Lesnar and Paul Heyman, including the pull-apart brawl on Monday's episode of Raw that generated buzz and excitement for the titanic clash, has brought a renewed anticipation to the WWE product and elevated him to the top of the card.

If his rivalry with Lesnar generates a ratings resurgence or even drums up fan interest that has not been there for weeks, Joe will have earned the right to continue his war with Lesnar over the top prize on the red brand.

Braun Strowman Cleared to Return

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported Tuesday Braun Strowman has been cleared to return to action, well ahead of the six-month timetable WWE announced.

"The word backstage at Raw was that Strowman was cleared to return to WWE action a week ago and will be back as soon as WWE Creative plots his return into Raw storylines," Johnson said.

The PWInsider.com writer continued: "Strowman underwent surgery in mid-May following the WWE European tour. At the time, WWE reported he had suffered a shattered elbow and would be out six months. That was likely stated in order to showcase Strowman making a huge superhuman comeback early."

If the report is correct, The Monster Among Men's return could leave Raw with an embarrassment of riches.

The intensity of Samoa Joe-Brock Lesnar feud has made up for his absence, while Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt and Finn Balor are all credible Universal Championship contenders.

If anything, the early success of Joe vs. Lesnar creates a bit of intrigue as to where Strowman fits in. Does he resume his rivalry with Reigns? Does he target Balor?

Or does a showdown with the champion at SummerSlam make the most sense?

Whatever the case may be, it will be up to Strowman to rediscover the fury behind the performances that preceded his injury and continue his unexpected rise to supremacy if he hopes to stand out in a crowd of immensely talented individuals.

Ronda Rousey to Finally Appear in WWE?

At Wrestlemania 31, Ronda Rousey joined Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in an in-ring showdown with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. At the time, it appeared as though the company was laying the groundwork for a monumental Mixed Tag Team match, perhaps as early as the following year's Showcase of the Immortals.

It never happened.

Rousey did not appear on WWE television again. Instead, she endured a perilous run in UFC, suffering two straight defeats. Her star in the MMA world damaged, it may be time for her to take her talents to the squared circle.

Ortman reported Rousey may finally be on her way to Vince McMahon's promotion.

"Talk of Ronda Rousey doing something with WWE has heated up...because she followed a bunch of company and Superstar Twitter accounts."

The timing of the report is interesting in that the promotion is beginning its build to SummerSlam, the second-most prestigious event of the year and a show that has routinely featured some of the biggest matches of the calendar.

Rousey, despite her recent defeats, is still a massive star in the sports world. Bringing her in for a match or a high-profile segment of some sort would attract casual viewers and generate interest for a show that WWE will be hoping packs Barclays Center in New York.

Whether that involves the Raw or SmackDown women's division or the renewal of her issues with The Authority remains to be seen.