Brock Lesnar's return to the WWE, challenging the winner of the John Cena-Randy Orton Royal Rumble WWE World Heavyweight Champion title match, has many speculating about his role at this year's Wrestlemania pay-per-view. Rumors were running rampant that Lesnar would return to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) prior to his appearance on UFC 168 and Monday's edition of Monday Night Raw. 

But UFC president Dana White stated he had no idea what Lesnar's plan is, leading many to believe the UFC rumors were to build up his return to WWE on Monday night. Lesnar, who has an exclusive contract with the WWE until Wrestlemania XXXI in 2015, is rumored to be facing The Undertaker at Wrestlemania, so it will be interesting to see how he is used at the Royal Rumble.

One match not likely for Lesnar at Wrestlemania XXX is against The Rock, who ruled out that notion talking to fans via Twitter. The Rock confirmed it was previously planned he would go up against the former UFC champion but said it was not going to happen this year, but adding that match may be in the works at Wrestlemania XXXI.

Between Vince, Brock & myself our Wrestlemania 30 plan was ROCK vs BROCK. No plans now for 30 but possibly WM 31. #RockTalk @_JordanMayoral

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 31, 2013

While The Rock has stated he will not make this year's Wrestlemania, Hulk Hogan looks likely to participate in the annual PPV. While a deal is not in place yet, PWInsider.com is reporting that the WWE writing team is coming up with potential Wrestlemania XXX storylines for the WWE icon. One scenario brought up was teaming Hogan with John Cena in a tag team match against The Real Americans - Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro. Other scenarios include teaming Hogan up with his old arch-nemesis, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper in tag match against the Real Americans or pitting him against Piper in a one-on-one match. If Hogan is not medically cleared to compete at the event, Cena may end up battling Bray Wyatt at Wrestlemania.

With the "Road to Wrestlemania" set to begin at the Royal Rumble, rumors are running rampant about potential opponents for Triple H. Triple H appears to be on a collision course against CM Punk, with the "Straightedge Superstar" already feuding with The Shield as part of the build-up. The back-up plan, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, is for Roman Reigns to battle the WWE COO, if any issues should arise.

Two stars not competing at this year's Wrestlemania are Chris Jericho and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Jericho tweeted that he will not be a surprise participant in the Royal Rumble and will not be back in the near future tweeting, "I'm not coming back anytime soon next year! No secrets, no shenanigans, no plans. Sorry!! I still love you tho." Austin was rumored to be going up against CM Punk in early 2013 but Austin does not feel like he is physically ready to compete, with some in company believing that his days in the ring are over.

In other news, Miami Heat superstar LeBron James recently caught the attention of both The Rock and Cena when he Tweeted that he wanted a championship belt much like the one Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy had draped around his shoulder pads, during an interview after the Sunday Night Football game and winning the National Football League (NFL) rushing title. Both The Rock and Cena both quickly responded to the four-time National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player saying that they could get one championship belt for him. Cena has, in the past, gifted an authentic WWE belt to Boston Red Sox David Ortiz.

The WWE is not likely to re-sign the original Sin Cara, with his contract now up with the company. Hunico has been under the mask of late, with the Sin Cara character selling a fair amount of merchandise, and will likely keep play the role at the moment.

Richie Steamboat, son of WWE Hall of Famer Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, has not been cut by the WWE as was recently reported. Steamboat was signed and competing in NXT but is recovering from a serious back injury, with no timetable set for his return. 

AJ Styles recently talked with Wrestling Observer Radio about his free agency, saying he is frustrated with fans who think his free agency is a work. Styles stated that he left TNA Wrestling on good terms and could see himself returning to the company. The former TNA champion said he would love to compete in the WWE but that they were focused on building up their developmental department, rather than signing him. Styles is slated to face Roderick Strong, in his return to Ring of Honor, at a ROH Saturday night television taping in Nashville, TN.