Rumor Roundup (May 24, 2014): Daniel Bryan, WWE title plans, Brock Lesnar return, more!

For many fans, reading about rumors -- and trawling the sites that traffic in them -- has become as popular as watching the matches themselves. In this daily column, we take a look at the biggest rumors and weirdest stories being churned out by those pro wrestling "news" sites.

Important reminders: Rumors are "rumors" and not "news" for a reason, folks. That which has not been confirmed as legitimate news or fact will be made clear.

Rumors of the Day:

• The latest word is Daniel Bryan will be appearing on next Monday night's episode of Raw and he will be relinquishing the WWE world heavyweight championship. The idea, apparently, is not to rush him back too soon, instead focusing on his long term health. Bringing him back and having him drop the belts himself gives them the ability to book a segment to gain a ton of sympathy for him on his way out so he can be really hot upon his return. It is expected he'll be right back in the main event scene when he does come back.
  

• As for what they'll do with the WWE world heavyweight title, it doesn't appear as thought there are any plans in regards to the Payback pay-per-view (PPV). That show is all but totally booked up already and considering the new model with the WWE Network, there's no need to alter current storylines. Instead, they'll build to Money in the Bank, with the current idea being two Money in the Bank matches: One for the WWE world title and one for the briefcase to challenge for it anytime the winner wants over the next year. That could change, of course, but it's one possibility, apparently the strongest one right now.

• If everything goes according to plan, the winner of the title could end up defending it against either Daniel Bryan or Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. You can expect Lesnar back, by the way, just after the Battleground event.

• Another match to expect for the Payback show, and if not Payback then Money in the Bank, is Summer Rae vs. Layla with Fandango as special guest referee. Really, that's the only direction they could go with this program.

• Rusev vs. Big E is no longer happening, for whatever reason. So what's the plan for Rusev? Your guess is just as good as anyone else's.

• No idea about this, but it's the Rumor Roundup, after all: The reason Ric Flair was shot down when he requested to work with Dolph Ziggler is because WWE didn't like the idea of two loose cannons working together. The Miz is the guy Flair will work with because he's a company guy and they feel like he can be counted on to do the right thing at all times, no matter how wild Flair may get.

• Despite WWE and NBCUniversal re-upping recently, there has been no update regarding TNA and Spike TV. It's quiet now but a new deal is expected to be struck by the time this one runs out. There is worry, however, that ratings haven't recovered and it will only get worse come football season with the NFL offering Thursday night games on network television during the first half of the season.

If you have heard of any interesting rumors that you'd like to add, feel free to post them in the comments section below. Just remember they are rumors and not confirmed as fact, so please take them for as such.