WWE Rumor Roundup: #30 Royal Rumble entrant, Major twist with The Fiend story, Return update for 7-time World Champion (January 8, 2020)

Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring you the latest news and rumors from the day. With Royal Rumble just a few weeks away, there is a lot of buzz around the event and the plethora of possibilities that surround it.

From Brock Lesnar's plans for the Rumble to a major match plan being cancelled, we have some very interesting stories in store for you today.

So without further ado, let us dive into the big WWE stories of today:

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#5. Bully Ray reveals who could enter the Royal Rumble at #30

While speaking on the Busted Open Radio podcast, former WWE Tag Team Champion Bubba Ray Dudley, now known as Bully Ray, talked about a rather interesting possibility that could take place at the men's Royal Rumble match.

The Hall of Famer stated that he can't rule out a confrontation between CM Punk and Brock Lesnar with Punk entering at #30 being a major surprise.

Brock is standing by himself...end of the match. He ran the gamut, everybody's out. Who the hell is going to be #30? Punk's music hits, the place is absolutely going to go bat$#it crazy. What would the look on Paul Heyman's face be if CM Punk is coming to the ring against his Beast? Who else did Paul Heyman represent besides Brock Lesnar?"

"Now, he's got the two guys..his two biggest successes in the WWE will now be standing face to face. Punk enters the ring. Punk and Brock Lesnar are face-to-face. That 'Hard Camerá' shot shows you them face-to-face splitting right in the middle is this look of horror. Paul Heyman looking like Kevin from Home Alone."

While fans would surely love to see CM Punk return to the ring at the Royal Rumble, the former WWE Champion has maintained that he doesn't intend to return anytime soon. However, we all know to 'never say never' when it comes to the world of WWE.

#4 Interesting unplanned twist in The Fiend's story

What started out as speculation from fans has now become a key aspect of the on-going mythical story of The Fiend. I am talking about the conspiracy theory regarding Superstars undergoing a major change in their character after facing Bray Wyatt.

Both, Seth Rollins and Finn Balor turned heel after losing to Bray Wyatt, Daniel Bryan chopped off his hair and returned to his 'American Dragon' look, and now even The Miz is back to being a heel.

Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue explained that this aspect was not planned by WWE in advance:

“It started off pure coincidence but when it comes to this Miz heel turn, I think maybe the change was leaning towards [John] Morrison and it was planned, and you see several elements building to it.

“But it [Miz’s heel turn] was also a little bit sudden, so I think they’re leaning into what is happening with Bray Wyatt, as they did with KofiMania and like they did with the main event of WrestleMania [35]. They saw the way the wind was blowing and they leaned into it.”

#3. Bret Hart may be 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's next guest

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's new WWE Network show - Broken Skull Sessions - has been a major hit, and has had top names like The Undertaker, Goldberg, and Kane appear on the show. As per reports from Cagesideseats (via Insider), Bret Hart may soon join Steve Austin for an interview.

There’s been talk of Bret Hart as a future guest on Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Session, per Insider.

The 5-time WWE Champion has had quite an interesting rivalry with 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and the two men have competed in brilliant matches in the prime of their careers. So, it will certainly be great to see Hart and Austin reminisce about old times and the matches they used to have.

While the 2-time WCW Champion still makes appearances for WWE now and then, he was last seen at AEW's PPV Double or Nothing where he inaugurated the AEW World Championship. Though many fans believed Bret Hart may become a regular on AEW, his appearance at Double or Nothing remains his only one till now.

#2 Possibility for Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble

'The Beast Incarnate' made a major announcement on Monday Night RAW, stating that he would be entering the Royal Rumble match at #1 instead of defending his WWE Championship at the PPV.

With Roman Reigns most-likely winning the Rumble, there is speculation that Lesnar will face whoever eliminates him from the match at WrestleMania 36. Dave Meltzer of WON noted that it might actually be possible that Brock Lesnar wins the match itself.

I guess he wants to redo that Ric Flair Royal Rumble. Umm, I mean the way to do this. I don’t think Brock as Champion running through and winning, again, I don’t think that makes sense. As far as Brock running through and then make a star by eliminating Brock when they are the last two, that makes all the sense in the world and then building up a WrestleMania match, whether it’s, whoever. Whoever you want to shoot the rocket on.

Roman Reigns is not the guy. It’s been done before. Seth Rollins is not the guy. Who the guy is? There’s a lot of guys that Paul Heyman is got projects on, obviously, you can tell each week who they are, I don’t know if it would be one of them and what I’m thinking with those guys, every single one of them, is to me, main eventing Mania against Brock, I mean it feels quick.

#1 No plans for a Title vs Mask match

This week on RAW, we saw Andrade unmask Rey Mysterio after defeating him in a US Championship match. Afterwards, a maskless Rey Mysterio attacked Andrade from behind and took his mask back.

This led to speculation that a possible Title vs Mask match may be on the horizon. However, Bryan Alvarez revealed on Wrestling Observer Live that there are no such plans as of now.

This show is designed to make me mad - me, Bryan Alvarez. I'm certain of it right now. If you watched that show last night, there is no way you can watch that Rey, Andrade match, forget the finish, there is no way you can watch that match and the angle that they did later and not come to the obvious conclusion that they are going to do a Mask vs. Hair or Mask vs. Title match. Am I wrong? Is there anybody who watched that and didn't come to that conclusion?

Well, guess what! There is no mask stipulation coming up anytime soon. There are no plans to put Rey's mask on the line.