The rumor mill is hot right now with huge news going down behind the scenes in WWE. There are so many things in play due to the peak of WrestleMania season starting. WWE will have to worry about putting together a great show for the biggest annual event of the year. The entire week has become a huge deal with NXT TakeOver, the Hall of Fame, Raw and SmackDown all being apart of the festivities. Raw and SmackDown following WrestleMania now sees new stars debut, familiar faces return, and the entire product reset in a major way.

WWE is already teasing the Superstar Shakeup happening shortly after WrestleMania with talent switching brands from Raw to SmackDown and vice versa. To top this all off, there are rumblings about certain wrestlers getting ready to leave the company. Daniel Bryan being cleared to compete, Ronda Rousey joining the company and other variables have led to other exciting news. WWE is trying their best to keep all their near and distant future plans under wraps for various reasons. Some rumors are things they want fans to be surprised when it happens, and others are things that just paint them in a negative light. We'll look at all angles with twenty-five current rumors WWE doesn’t want you to find out about.

25 Huge Plans For Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe is a popular wrestler that has been on the shelf for a few months now. The rumor going around is that Joe has been cleared and has a big plan for his return. Joe is scheduled to be the first challenger to Roman Reigns when he wins the Universal Championship from Brock Lesnar.

Various live events in April and May are already advertising a main event of Reigns facing Joe in the main event. Joe is likely going to return on the Raw after WrestleMania to attack Reigns and start the program. Both men had good chemistry in the past and it is a great idea. WWE however has to be upset that the rumor is starting to become more popular online.

24 Carmella Cashing In On Raw

Asuka challenging Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania for the SmackDown Women’s Championship means she is likely winning the title. This means Carmella’s future is in doubt when it comes to cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase for a title shot. Most assumed Carmella would have to win the title as the first ever woman to win a MITB match.

However, a rumor floating around online suggests Carmella may end up moving over to Raw and cashing in for that title. Carmella ending Asuka’s undefeated streak via cash-in seems like a horrible idea on paper and losing her title shot may be even worse. The reported move is to throw logic out of the window and pretend the title shot is valid for either show. Our intelligence may be insulted due to WWE booking themselves into a corner.

23 Dean Ambrose Injury May Be Worse Than Expected

Dean Ambrose has been on the shelf for a few months now after being bit by the injury bug. This was a surprising injury considering Ambrose has been the iron man of WWE for the past few years wrestling the most matches. Ambrose was originally scheduled to appear at Axxess during WrestleMania weekend to meet fans for autographs and pictures.

It was recently announced that Ambrose was recently removed from his lineup. PW Insider reported that this could be a bad sign that his rehab is not going as well as WWE hoped. The rumor is that Ambrose is not healthy enough to travel out to New Orleans and spend time with the fans. Ambrose being absent from WrestleMania in general is a bummer, but his fans have to be even more crushed they can no longer meet him.

22 Rob Gronkowski Considering Signing WWE Contract

WWE hates when contract negotiations become public knowledge. It hurts them in multiple ways. The surprise element is taken away if the performer does end up agreeing to a deal. This also gives leverage to the person in negotiations if it shows that the public has interest in them joining. NFL star Rob Gronkowski has been rumored to be considering a move to the squared circle.

Gronkowski has already appeared in WWE helping his best friend Mojo Rawley win last year’s Andre the Giant Battle Royal Memorial. The dangers of football have led to many stars retiring early. Gronk stated he was considering retirement at the end of last season and has yet to commit to returning to the New England Patriots. Some fans may create a backlash against another celebrity coming into the fray.

21 WWE Only Cleared Daniel Bryan to Prevent Him From Wrestling Elsewhere

Daniel Bryan getting cleared to compete in time for WrestleMania is a huge story for WWE. The battle between Bryan and the doctors has been going on for almost three years now. Bryan believed he was never going to get cleared despite every doctor outside of WWE saying he was healthy enough to compete. Many are wondering what exactly influenced WWE’s doctors to change their stance since nothing changed regarding Bryan’s head.

A rumor is that WWE feared Bryan leaving when his contract expires in September. New Japan, Ring of Honor and various independent promotions are thriving to new peaks currently. The idea of Bryan returning would have just added more fans to the growing brands. WWE possibly clearing someone they believe is a health risk solely to keep him away from competition would be a horrible look for the company.

20 Bayley Heel Turn Was Initially Planned 

Another interesting tidbit in the Raw women’s division focuses on Bayley. The career of Bayley has been rather disappointing over the past year. It is easy to forget she successfully defended the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 33. Things have gone downhill since then as she was destroyed by Alexa Bliss and moved further down the card.

Dave Meltzer reported that Bayley was scheduled to turn heel at some point last month. A live event card for Madison Square Garden saw a planned match of Elias and Bayley vs. John Cena and Nikki Bella. Bayley ended up being replaced by Sonya Deville. The rumored plan was for Bayley to be a heel before this match and continue playing the role on the live event. WWE apparently changed plans and now Sasha Banks will be the one playing the villain role in their feud.

19 Women Will Not be allowed on Saudi Arabia show

The upcoming live event in Saudi Arabia in late April is set to be one of the biggest shows of the year. WWE is attempting to become a major brand in that market with this show meant to attract a big crowd. Huge attraction matches have been planned for the event. There will be a 50-man battle royal for the biggest rumble match in company history, including a rumor of The Undertaker joining.

John Cena is set to face Triple H in a main event attraction match. Samoa Joe, Seth Rollins, The Miz and Finn Balor will compete in a ladder match. However, one major absence from the show is the entire women’s division. Given the culture differences there, the ladies of WWE will not be allowed to perform. WWE looks horrible appeasing this request considering how much they preach equality for the women’s movement.

18 Hulk Hogan, New Smackdown GM?

News continues to come out that indicates WWE is considering bringing back Hulk Hogan. The company essentially blacklisted Hogan by firing him and refusing to do any business with him after the racist tirades came out in his sex tape leak. Dave Meltzer reported that WWE was in talks with Hogan and could attempt to bring him back as a ‘sympathetic’ figure seeking forgiveness for his mistakes.

Hogan and Triple H were spotted talking to each other at the Andre the Giant HBO documentary red carpet event. Considering WWE’s role in helping HBO produce this special, Hogan likely would have been blacklisted if they requested it. WWE allowing Hogan at this event and posting pictures of him on their Instagram is another positive sign for his return. However, the company has issued statements denying he’s coming back. The rumors of him replacing Daniel Bryan as SmackDown General Manager is not something they want discussed.

17 CM Punk Considering Wrestling Return for All In

One big concern for WWE regarding competition is the All In show set to take place in Chicago during Labor Day weekend. Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks are financing the show to prove they have enough star power on the independent circuit to sell out a 10,000+ seat venue. Time will tell if they are able to accomplish this goal, but there is a lot of hype for the show.

The biggest rumor is that CM Punk may be making his first wrestling appearance since walking out on WWE over four years ago. Punk is beloved in Chicago and a close friend of the Young Bucks. Matt Jackson has admitted to trying to talk into a return for months now. This would be the ideal scenario of coming back home and sticking it to WWE to make an impact.

16 Shane McMahon Wrestling Will Be Huge Health Risk

The news of Daniel Bryan teaming with Shane McMahon at WrestleMania to face Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn presented a shock to fans. Most expected it when Bryan was cleared, but news of Shane’s health issues put that belief in jeopardy. Shane suffered serious pains during a family vacation in Antigua that kept him hospitalized there for many days.

It was revealed that McMahon is suffering from diverticulitis. He also suffered an umbilical hernia that will require surgery once the infection is cleared up. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Shane is 100% certain he will be able to wrestle in just a few weeks, but it is apparently a huge risk. How ironic is it that Shane will be the bigger health risk in a match where he’s teaming with a guy WWE refused to clear for over two years now?

15 Ronda Rousey Set To Run Through Raw Women's Division in 2018

WWE is attempting to have Ronda Rousey win over the fan base by going against Stephanie McMahon and Triple H. Fans reacted with boos at Fastlane when she was cutting a promo during her contract signing. However, it completely turned around for the better when she put the fear into Stephanie and slammed Triple H through a table.

Stephanie is a good enough heel to get the fans clamoring for Ronda to destroy her at WrestleMania. Things will likely change for Ronda when she moves into other feuds going forward. The biggest criticism towards Rousey is that she will get all the major opportunities ahead of the other women in the company. This is indeed the plan as Rousey is rumored to go undefeated, defeating all the Raw women, and becoming champion, until at least next WrestleMania. If fans catch on, they are sure to turn on her.

14 Elias Outselling Roman Reigns in Merchandise

Roman Reigns is the obvious choice as the face of the company with John Cena transitioning to a part-time performer. Even the biggest critics of Reigns would often guess he is the biggest star on the Raw brand. However, the merchandise numbers don’t indicate that Reigns is that much more of a seller than his peers. A surprising name has the top-selling shirt at WWE live events and the website.

Elias has been revealed as the king of merchandise so far this year. WWE seems to love Elias, but the idea of him selling more merchandise than Reigns and some of the other big names is not the kind of fun fact they want to share on their programming. Roman’s merchandise numbers are considered weak for his position in the company and losing to a mid-carder is a bad look.

13 Big Cass Returning Soon

WWE loves to keep the status of injured wrestlers quiet in hopes of their return being a big surprise. Big Cass has been out since the week of Summerslam following a brutal injury in a match against Enzo Amore. WWE has done a good job keeping it quiet regarding the status of Cass. No one has referenced him on television and he is essentially a forgotten man on social media since he doesn’t tweet.

Rumors are circulating that Cass is already cleared and will return soon. It is unknown if WWE wants to have him do anything at WrestleMania, but the worst case scenario would see him back on the Raw after. Considering fans have minimal excitement for Cass, this is one of the less anticipated returns. If you take away the surprise factor, there’s basically nothing left.

12 Jason Jordan's Career in Doubt

The absence of Jason Jordan has seen him removed from his prior storyline as the son of Kurt Angle and the partner turned rival of Seth Rollins. Jordan was getting in the groove of being an obnoxious heel character right when he was forced to be taken off television. A surgery was successfully performed on his neck in hopes of repairing the injury.

Reports have claimed this is a severe injury that could linger for many years. Jordan is planning to make a return, but it is unknown how his neck will react to wrestling the grueling WWE schedule when he’s back. This could easily turn into a sad story of another wrestler having to retire at a young age. Jordan will hopefully rebound, but fans have no idea of the risk he may be taking by coming back.

11 WWE May Have Asked Rey Mysterio Not To Wrestle on NJPW show

Another instance of a confusing injury in the world of wrestling right now features Rey Mysterio. The momentum of Mysterio has been sky high since his surprise appearance in the Royal Rumble match and an announcement of facing Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger at a New Japan show in the United States. Unfortunately, the latter match was canceled as Rey appeared to thank the fans but stated a torn bicep is keeping him out of action.

The rumors of WWE negotiating a contract with Mysterio is adding doubt to the equation. Dave Meltzer reported Mysterio’s injury wasn’t major. Fan speculation has seen a theory emerge that WWE requested Rey not wrestle on the New Japan show in fear of worsening the injury before he returns. Time will tell if Mysterio returns to WWE soon, but there is doubt regarding why he didn’t wrestle for NJPW.

10 PPV Changes Will Hurt Wrestlers' Pay

WWE will be making changes to the monthly PPV/WWE Network specials. Instead of the shows being exclusive to Raw or SmackDown, it will feature a super show of the best of both brands. While rumors do indicate that the shows will be given an extra hour to make it four hour events with a pre-show, it isn’t a great sign for those outside of the main event picture.

Each brand will likely only get four or five matches every month on the biggest platform. Fewer opportunities means a lot of wrestlers are going to be bumped off the cards they’ve become used to wrestling on. WWE tends to give bonuses and higher pay to the wrestlers working on the PPVs. The rumored changes are reportedly putting fear in the wrestlers realizing their pay could be impacted for the worst.

9 Snickers The only reason WWE Removed Moolah Presence From Battle Royal

WWE made a shocking move when they changed the name of the women’s battle royal. The original name was the Fabulous Moolah Battle Royal, but an uproar from fans caused a change. Moolah has been accused of doing some heinous things during her career to hurt other women. Fans petitioned and filed their complaints online for weeks and a change occurred.

Stephanie McMahon announced it would now be called the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal, so all the attention can be on the athletes rather than the controversy. WWE is trying to present this as listening to their fans. However, this change was due to being pressured from a sponsor. Fans informed Snickers of the controversy regarding Moolah to cause the change. If not for Snickers, WWE would likely have kept the original name.

8 Vince Was The Reason for 205 Live failing

The rumored change behind the scenes regarding 205 Live has Triple H running the program over the past month and a half. Vince McMahon was the main person in charge of the creative backstage. The show was focused on the characters and this was the main reason Enzo Amore was the face of the brand. Enzo being fired caused the entire show to be revamped with Triple H in charge.

Since taking over, we have seen the show reach more popularity for having outstanding matches in the tournament for the vacant Cruiserweight Championship. It only took Triple H a few weeks to make a positive change after many months of horrible content. The show views are reportedly up on the WWE Network following the change. McMahon looks like the big reason for the flop considering the improvement with him gone.

7 Braun Strowman WrestleMania Tag Partner Not Decided 

WrestleMania is the biggest show of the year and one of the biggest events in all of entertainment. Most casual fans believe the show is elaborately planned all year with everything meticulously written for a great program. However, WWE tends to make a lot of it up as they go along. The main event matches have a lot of time invested in it. The lower card matches are not afforded the same opportunity.

Braun Strowman and a mystery partner facing Cesaro and Sheamus is one match that showcases the unpredictable aspect. WWE reportedly doesn’t have a confirmed person in play as Strowman’s mystery partner. Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Bray Wyatt and Samoa Joe have been a few names in rumors. It appears WWE has no idea what they are doing yet and that’s why we won’t see his partner until the actual night of WrestleMania.

6 Bray Wyatt's 'Deletion' Represented his Failing as a Character

Bray Wyatt has been struggling to find relevance since around this time last year. Most fans have already forgotten that Wyatt was the WWE Champion heading into WrestleMania 33 during his awful feud with Randy Orton. WWE moved Wyatt from SmackDown to Raw following the terrible matches with Orton. A combination of both factors led to him once again being an irrelevant mid-carder.

The current program with Matt Hardy saw Wyatt get ‘deleted’ by getting thrown into the lake of reincarnation. Reports indicate that WWE realized just how poorly Wyatt was doing and how far he has fallen. The angle was done to reintroduce him in a revamped way. Bray will likely get a bigger push with whatever change is coming after WrestleMania. Regardless, it is commendable WWE can admit something is wrong and attempt to fix it.