Top 5 WWE Rumors of the Week - 23rd April, 2018

The Top 5 Rumors of the Week is back after a fairly long hiatus! I decided to give it a rest of WrestleMania season because the sheer number of WWE related rumors cropping up was off the charts and it was almost impossible to keep up and pick five of the best rumors.

Anyway, without further ado, we have a lot to cover on this week's rumor mill roundup with reasons for absences, potential WWE signings and much, much more. Here are the Top 5 WWE Rumors of the Week - 23rd April, 2018.

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#5 Reason Alexa Bliss is absent from WWE

Alexa Bliss is

recovering from surgery?

Alexa Bliss has only made one appearance for WWE since WrestleMania, wrestling in a tag-team match against Nia Jax and Ember Moon in a losing effort. Since then she's not been at house shows, hasn't appeared on live television and isn't in South Africa with the rest of the Raw Superstars.

Whilst no official reason has been given for Bliss' leave of absence, the speculation is that Bliss is at home resting up and recovering from minor surgery but is still expected to be back and ready to go in time for Backlash to compete in her Raw Women's Title rematch against Nia Jax

#4 Is Keith Lee WWE bound?

More signs Keith Lee is going to WWE

Keith Lee is a charismatic, extremely talented and unique big-man wrestler who seems on the path to WWE, especially given his recent matches on the independent circuit.

Firstly, Lee gave this farewell speech at an AAWPro event. Secondly, Lee lost the PWG Title to Walter this week, and the WWN title to Austin Theory over WrestleMania weekend. It seems that Lee is dropping all of his independent wrestling belts which is a surefire sign he's joining WWE.

Still not convinced by the above, or Dave Meltzer confirming it in a Wrestling Observer Newsletter? How about hearing it from the man himself? Albeit cryptically.

Hmm, what put this on your mind? I'd say this.If one phrase holds true in wrestling, it's "Never say never."Only time unveils what the future holds.Until then, we continue to grind 😁😁 https://t.co/6wTX5vi7g8

— Keith Lee (@RealKeithLee) April 13, 2018

#3 WWE has big plans for Samoa Joe?

Samoa

Joe

to be a big player on SmackDown?

Samoa Joe recently moved from Monday Night Raw to SmackDown Live, which seemed like an odd move considering he was in the process of trash talking Roman Reigns on a weekly basis and is set to wrestle 'The Big Dog' at Backlash.

However, it seems that there is a reason Samoa Joe was moved to SmackDown with PWStream reporting that WWE wants to keep Reigns and Joe apart after their Backlash clash because Reigns will be the top star on Raw and they have big plans for Joe on Smackdown.

Per source: Samoa Joe moved to #SDLive to avoid Reigns. The two will have a match soon, however following that, Reigns, as expected, will be running #Raw. As such, Joe wouldn’t be a pivotal part of the show. WWE want him to play a big role — he wouldn’t be on Raw, hence the move.

— PWStream (@PWStream) April 22, 2018

#2 Bobby Lashley to be added to a title match at Greatest Royal Rumble

Bobby Lashley immediately thrust into the title picture

The WWE clearly didn't bring Lashley back to WWE just to interrupt performances from Elias and take part in multi-man main events as the latest rumors surrounding the recently returned WWE star suggest he's being thrown straight into a title match at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

It has been reported that local advertisements in Saudi Arabia have Bobby Lashley as competing in the Intercontinental Title ladder match which also involves Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, The Miz and Seth Rollins.

#1 Dean Ambrose's return date revealed?

Is 'The Lunatic Fringe' on the fringe of a WWE return?

During a recent interview with KFM 94.5 radio station, Seth Rollins may have revealed when Dean Ambrose is expected back from injury. Obviously, there could be kayfabe involved, and things could change but here's what he had to say

"He had some pretty extensive triceps surgery earlier this year so he’s definitely still on the mend and rehabbing. But he’ll be back and better than ever, you wait. Summertime, maybe late Spring. Somewhere in there, I think, whenever that wily guy gets back to normal”

Using our powers of superior deduction we can estimate that this puts Ambrose in line for a return at Summerslam, WWE's big summer show. Maybe the Shield will reunite again?