WWE Rumors: Buying or Selling Buzz on John Cena, Dolph Ziggler and More

The Royal Rumble is one of the biggest pay-per-view extravaganzas of the year, so it only makes sense the WWE rumor mill would be churning out new reports ahead of the show, involving some of the most prominent stars in the industry and their booking plans in the wake of the January 28 event.

John Cena, Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan are three former world champions and at the forefront of this week's top rumors and speculation. How might those rumors affect them and WWE Creative in the foreseeable future, and should fans buy or sell the speculation?

John Cena's Post-Royal Rumble Plans

According to Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Cageside Seats for the transcription), John Cena is slated to work Samoa Joe in several post-Royal Rumble bookings. The feud, hinted at when Joe called Cena out during Monday's Raw, would not reach WrestleMania 34, though.

"Still, a program with Joe is seen as filler to get to bigger plans for him at WrestleMania. Observer Radio speculated his match against Undertaker there could be set up at Raw 25 in two weeks."

At this point in his career, Cena should rightfully be utilized as a special attraction, competing only in the most prominent WrestleMania matches.

Buy or Sell?

Buy. Love or hate Samoa Joe, The Destroyer is not a star the level of a Cena 'Mania opponent. He has been phenomenal since his main roster call-up and has routinely performed up to the level of the top stars the brand has to offer.

It may be insulting to be considered a stop-gap of sorts for Cena ahead of WrestleMania, but that role will allow him to continue building credibility with fans, who will buy into him even more for having worked with a star the stature of Cena.

The success of the program will depend almost exclusively on whether or not Joe is allowed to go over at all. If he is beaten down and dispatched of in short order, without ever getting over on Cena, it will be a failure and every bit as insulting as such a role appears on the surface.

Dolph Ziggler's WWE Return

According to Cageside Seats' Randall Ortman, Dolph Ziggler will be returning to WWE programming sooner than later.

"Dolph Ziggler is expected to return either at Royal Rumble or the SmackDown episode days later."

The revelation curbs any speculation that Ziggler is gone from WWE and suggests he may have a high-profile role on SmackDown Live as WrestleMania season ramps up.

Buy or Sell?

Sell. Don't sell it because Ziggler does not deserve the opportunity for a high-profile storyline or a big return post-Rumble; sell it because it almost feels too soon to bring Ziggler back.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and while The Showstopper's absence has allowed the brand to initiate its United States Championship Tournament, returning so shortly after the new champion is crowned does not allow the story to breathe.

Let the champion have a few weeks to establish himself, whoever it may be, then have Ziggler re-emerge and dispute the new titleholder's claim to the championship. That way, the champion gets his reign over with audiences while the heat for Ziggler's eventual return can continue to build, similar to the dynamic that existed between Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels way back in 1994.

A Daniel Bryan Heel Turn?

The Wrestling Observer (h/t Cageside Seats) recently discussed Daniel Bryan's role on SmackDown in the near-future and how it may affect his status beyond WWE.

"The Observer has speculated that WWE could be turning Daniel Bryan heel in an attempt to hurt his mainstream value if he leaves later this year."

One cannot fault WWE management for protecting its best interests if the celebrated in-ring competitor is to leave the company upon the completion of his contract. Still, it is not ideal.

Buy or Sell?

Sell. If WWE Creative has a genuine interest in turning Bryan heel for storyline purposes, a move that would fit the narrative currently told every Tuesday night, perfect. He has done a fantastic job of flirting with the fine line between babyface and villain over the last month, and the result has been a rejuvenation of his on-screen persona.

If the company is manipulating his character to affect his future earning ability, it should be ashamed of itself.

Yes, WWE is a mammoth business, but Bryan sacrificed his body for the love of the sport and has been good for the company. He is a three-time WWE champion and provided the company with one of its most memorable WrestleMania moments in recent history when he defeated Triple H, then Batista and Randy Orton in 2014.

Punishing him because he still has a desire to compete, even if it means leaving the promotion, is a cheap move that will not work anyway.

If Bryan's career has taught us anything, it is that the leader of the YES! Movement has adapted and evolved to the point that he will always get over with the audience, either as a lovable underdog or a vicious and badass in-ring competitor.