WWE Rumors 2014: News About Brock Lesnar, Bad News Barrett, Ric Flair, Steve Austin

WWE Rumors 2014: News About Brock Lesnar, Bad News Barrett, Ric Flair, Steve Austin
Here's the latest rumors and news from around the WWE, including Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, and Roman Reigns (WWE)
Zachary Stieber
9/19/2014
Updated:
9/19/2014

The Night of Champions is coming up this weekend and SmackDown is on tonight.

Check out the latest WWE news and rumors below.

Lesnar Will Beat Cena Again

The rumors lately indicated that WWE wasn’t sure whether Brock Lesnar would beat John Cena again. But the latest intel indicates that Lesnar will win, and retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

“The finish is still being worked out, but that’s the planned result right now,” reported Cageside Seats.

Bleacher Report said in a “bold prediction” that Cena will lose, in fact tapping out to Lesnar.

“This time, Cena may not go down via pinfall to The Beast Incarnate. This time, Lesnar could make WWE’s No. 1 draw tap out. It would surely be a moment that no one expects, and if it happens, it could impact Cena on a very intense level,” wrote Tom Clark.

Lesnar Bringing in the Money

Lesnar reportedly signed a one-year, $5 million deal to return to WWE, according to PWInsider.

Many people said that it was too much money, but it appears that Lesnar’s return may be paying off.

“In Lesnar’s first pay-per-view back he headlined Extreme Rules with John Cena, helping the show post a 22 percent increase in buys. The same year at SummerSlam, he closed the show with Triple H, and that event saw another healthy 21 percent increase in buys,” reported Bleacher Report.

However, Wrestling Observer Newsletter indicated that Lesnar’s appeal may be decreasing.

“Secondary market ticket prices for WWE Night of Champions are the lowest so far for a pay-per-view led by Brock Lesnar. This is because the event isn’t sold out while other events with Lesnar at the top of the card sold out well in advance,” it said.

Bleacher notes, though, that the rematch is automatically less of a draw, and that ticket sales alone aren’t the clearest indicator of drawing power. Still, there’s cause for concern, which the league will try to address in the coming months.

Barrett to Return Soon

Bad News Barrett says that he'll probably be back in two months.

“I had surgery on my shoulder two months ago, and I should be back in December,” he told DNA India.

“I really want to get back, it’s fun doing things like this, coming to India to connect with fans and all, but I really want to be back in the ring.,” he added.

“Dolph Ziggler is running around with my Intercontinental Title right now. He didn’t beat me for it, so I soon as I come back I want my title back.”

Flair to Return Soon?

Ric Flair had multiple surgeries recently but could return soon.

“WWE is expecting to put Ric Flair back on television soon,” Cageside Seats reported.

“He had been scheduled to work this week’s SmackDown and Night of Champions shows but was forced to cancel due to health issues. He’s already healing and should be back shortly.”

Steve Austin Likely Not to be at WrestleMania 31

News that Steve “Stone Cold” Austin restarted rumors that he'll be at WrestleMania 31.

But Rant Sports says that he probably won’t be at next year’s event.

“Speculation about this deal meaning a match is certainly premature. Sure, there could be a deal in place for Austin to make his long-awaited comeback at the biggest show of the year. Sure, Austin could be playing everybody and secretly preparing for one last throwdown in the squared circle. But until there’s more to go on — besides a business deal and Austin saying he’s trying to get back in shape — let’s cool it on the return rumors,” it said.

“A Stone Cold return would be the best thing for WWE’s business. But based on everything he’s said since his retirement, you have to believe the answer is still no.”

MORE:

WWE Night of Champions 2014: Rumors, Matches, and Predictions; Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Dean Ambrose Return?