Rumor Roundup (Dec. 9, 2016): SmackDown title plans, Mickie James, top WWE signing target, more!

Speculating on the rumors surrounding pro wrestling is a favored pastime of many fans, perhaps second only to actually watching the matches. In this daily column, we take a look at the latest rumors being churned out by the pro wrestling rumor mill.

Important reminder: Rumors are just that -- rumors. None of this has been confirmed as legitimate news or fact, it's just circulating around the pro wrestling rumor mill. Remember, take it all with a grain of salt.

Rumors for the Day:

• SmackDown’s top two men’s feuds heading into 2017 will be John Cena chasing his 16th World title reign against AJ Styles and Miz vs. Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental title, per Wrestling Observer.
• Mickie James’s new WWE contract is reportedly for three years.
• High on WWE’s list of potential talent acquisitions as the company’s in "signing mode"? Ring of Honor’s Adam Cole, whose contract is up in April.
• NXT swapping out Sawyer Fulton for Big Damo in Eric Young’s SAnitY stable was due to an upper body injury suffered by Fulton which is expected to keep him out several months.
• E! may be using Paige & Alberto El Patron to promote Total Divas, but WWE apparently isn’t. There’s no pictures, videos or mentions of either anywhere in WWE’s online promotion of the latest episode, which heavily featured their relationship.

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 as such. Have fun with it.