Buy or Sell Latest Alexa Bliss, Nikki Bella WWE Rumors, Bloodline Name Change, More

The pro wrestling rumor mill doesn't get more active than this pocket of time just before the highly anticipated Royal Rumble and all the way through to WrestleMania itself.

This year, though, could be bigger than ever for the mill. While The Rock seems to be out of the picture (for now, anyway), WWE has John Cena's retirement tour starting, Roman Reigns and CM Punk tip-toeing around a feud, everyone wanting a shot at Cody Rhodes and possible major returns like Becky Lynch hanging in the background.

That's just to name a few of the things seemingly going on around WWE before the Royal Rumble on February 1. Some of the biggest rumblings right now pertain to major possible returns and even wrestlers jumping from one company to another.

To assist fans in these (awesome) trying times, here's a look at the hottest buzz making the rounds and whether fans should buy or sell one each.

The Rumor

The recent shot of Niki Bella at a Raw on Netflix, it seems, wasn't an accident. According to WrestleVotes, "significant discussions have taken place" about a Bella return to action with WWE.

Reaction

This one always felt like a matter of time, as the Bellas are some of those modern greats that have yet to really loop back and shine in a WWE that has very much changed since they were last with the company.

Buy or Sell?

Buy. What's more interesting than whether this actually happens is the how of the situation. Would this be a one-off Royal Rumble appearance or a full return to shake up the women's division? Either way, it will be nice to see, even if the surprise factor isn't all that high.

The Rumor

The Alex Bliss return saga has taken an interesting twist in recent weeks. According to PW Insider (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), Bliss was supposed to return in mid-January on Raw with some involvement alongside the Wyatt Sicks.

Reaction

A brush with the Wyatt Sicks makes sense for a returning Bliss. But so, too, does a solo return for a run in a women's division that could use a shakeup. That's especially the case, depending on the actual return statuses of names like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.

Buy or Sell?

Huge sell. This "unknown" delay in Bliss' return is exactly what a wrestling promotion might leak in an attempt to keep a surprise Royal Rumble return...a surprise. Plans change by the hour in pro wrestling, too, so it's safe to expect Bliss by the rumble.

The Rumor

The Malakai Black rumblings just keep taking interesting twists and turns. The latest, according to PW Insider (h/t Rajah.com's Jeff Whalen) says that Black won't make a final appearance in AEW and will be off television until his contract expires—which could be after the Royal Rumble.

Reaction

If Black intends to keep wrestling, it would be a bummer to see him miss the Royal Rumble. Perhaps, though, he could be a big surprise on the annual spectacle that is the Raw after 'Mania. Keep in mind that last week, though, PWTorch (h/t Ortman) suggested Black could also choose to retire.

Buy or Sell?

Buy on Black being fully done with AEW, at least. That has obviously been the case after his on-and-off-again limited appearances, rumblings about injuries and otherwise and lack of involvement in current storylines. Whether fans see him go back to WWE, though, is something to watch.

The Rumor

The fate of "The Bloodline" seems sealed in the wake of Roman Reigns becoming the Tribal Chief again. According to WrestleVotes (h/t Ortman), WWE won't refer to the Bloodline name to describe Solo Sikoa's group any longer.

Reaction

At first, this seems a little risky. Where does the story go now? Can Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa and others survive without the Bloodline bump? But more to the point, it's also super exciting because they can now forge ahead as a different type of stable that causes disruptions.

Buy or Sell?

Buy—at least for now. Maybe the "Bloodline" name gets disputed again at a later date. But with WWE seemingly angling Reigns toward CM Punk, Sikoa's group needs to do something else. That is, until this all fires up again in the future, especially if Rock ever comes back.

The Rumor

Speculation about WWE programming runtime, what segments went over, if shows will go over, and what the future holds just won't stop. The latest, according to Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Whalen), is that Raw on Netflix wants to hit the 2.5-hour mark, while SmackDown will remain at three hours until at least the summer.

Reaction

WWE wanting to meet itself halfway on Raw runtimes at 2.5 hours makes sense. The blue brand sticking at the three-hour mark is downright painful, though. It's a slog, and it doesn't help that Raw suddenly feels more important again.

Buy or Sell?

Buy. Raw is probably a variable runtime each week, but the stated goal makes sense. Dragging SmackDown kicking and screaming to three hours each week either suggests big 'Mania storylines will get development there...or agreed-upon obligations to a network or other.