WWE Rumors Roundup for Week of Jan. 11 Ahead of Royal Rumble

With WWE's biggest three months of the year and the road to WrestleMania 34 just around the corner, it is clear that, if this week's rumors are to be believed, the company has some major plans afoot.

This year, there is not just Mania and Royal Rumble to factor into the plans. Before the month is out, WWE will host the 25th anniversary edition of Raw, and as expected, there is no shortage of surprises planned there.

This week's rumor roundup covers that show, as well as this month's Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

There's also an update on The Undertaker's future with the company. Here's what the Internet is speculating about this week in the world of WWE.

Two Former Women's Champions Returning at Royal Rumble?

It's traditional for plenty of surprise returns at the Royal Rumble each and every year, and it appears the first historic women's match is set to be no different.

With 30 slots to fill for the match, it was perhaps inevitable WWE would reach out and contact former women's division stars to return, be that on a one-off or a more permanent basis.

And a report from Mike Johnson at PWInsider this week suggested two former champions could be heading back.

The first, according to Johnson, is Molly Holly. She hasn't wrestled for the company since WrestleMania 25 nine years ago.

However, WWE has reportedly reached out to her to feature in the bout, along with Michelle McCool. 

McCool, per Johnson's report, is not "100 percent locked in" to appear just yet, but she has spoken with WWE about turning up.

No doubt there are more surprises to come. 

SmackDown Stars Showing Up at Raw 25?

The upcoming 25th anniversary of Raw is bound to throw up more than a few surprises.

Expect big returns, huge storylines and a significant step on the road to WrestleMania 34—as well as a few familiar faces from Tuesday nights showing up, if a report from earlier this week is to be believed.

It comes from Randall Ortman at Cageside Seats, who said this week that a number of SmackDown stars are set to show up at Raw 25 to make the event as spectacular as possible.

It doesn't take much guessing as to which Superstars could switch brands for the night. WWE champion AJ Styles is a certainty to appear on Raw, while the likes of Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura may also turn up.

Whether it makes the whole event feel somewhat congested, given the returning names of the past as well, remains to be seen. But it appears WWE is intent on doing as much as it possibly can to make Raw 25 a show to remember.

Eric Bischoff at Raw 25?

It seems WWE's plan to bring back the big names for Raw 25 isn't strictly limited to in-ring talent.

That's because former WWE and WCW authority figure Eric Bischoff has been booked for the show, per a report from Mike Johnson at PWInsider.

Johnson reported that Bischoff is set to make his first TV taping appearance in WWE for more than a decade, dating back to his last appearance in 2007 when he appeared in a segment with Chris Jericho. Ironically, that was for Raw's 15th anniversary.

And it looks like Bischoff will show up again to repeat the trick. 

It's not yet clear what Bischoff is going to be doing on the show. No doubt he'll have interaction with the company's current authority figures, and if Vince McMahon appears too, there could be the possibility to take a real step back in time on a show of such significance. 

The Undertaker Backstage at SmackDown This Week

It's traditionally the time of year in WWE when The Undertaker makes his return to TV.

2017 seemed set to be the final occasion that would happen, though, with it looking likely he had wrestled his final match at last year's WrestleMania when he lost to Roman Reigns.

However, that may not be the case after all.

According to PWInsider (h/t Andrew Thompson of Lords of Pain), Taker was backstage at this week's taping of SmackDown, which will no doubt create feverish speculation about his in-ring future once again.

Has WWE seen the last of The Deadman in terms of active competition? It's unclear right now, but we are bound to find out a whole lot more at Raw 25 this month—a show 'Taker is already confirmed to appear at.