With WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan out a few months, the WWE is coming up with contingency plans for their pay-per-views (PPV) matches, with Bryan keeping the title during his rehabilitation. The company is hopeful that Bryan can come back for June 29's Money in the Bank event but it is looking more likely that he will return for July 20's "Battleground" PPV at the earliest, "SummerSlam" at the the latest.

People within the company are concerned about Bryan's long-term health if he continues to wrestle in his frenetic style and hope he eliminates some moves from his repertoire, such as the Flying Headbutt, the Missile Dropkick, and the Suicide Dive.

At present, the Payback card includes The Shield versus Evolution in a Six-Man No-Holds-Barred Elimination Tag Team match, Intercontinental Champions "Bad News" Wade Barrett defending his title against Rob Van Dam, Cesaro challenging Sheamus for his United States Championship, and Bray Wyatt versus John Cena in a Last Man Standing match.

Word is that Vince McMahon has been very impressed with Barrett, Wyatt, and Roman Reigns of The Shield, who may be up for a title reign in the near-future, maybe as early as "Wrestlemania 31." Brock Lesner's and The Rock's names have been mentioned as potential match-ups who could face Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Cena, who has been working with Wyatt recently, is said to be interested in facing another young superstar, Big E, maybe as soon as "SummerSlam."

Lesnar may be returning to action at Night of Champions. Lesnar last competed at "Wrestlemania 30," breaking The Undertaker's "Wrestlemania" undefeated streak, and may get a shot at Bryan's championship (depending his health) or Paul Heyman's other current client, Cesaro, according to WrestleZone.com.

One superstar not likely to return soon is CM Punk, who has been happy at home and has not had contact with the WWE since leaving the company. Punk has been seen following his beloved Chicago Blackhawks throughout their National Hockey League (NHL) playoff run and did commentary during the Chicago Cubs May 17 game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Punk said that he is not working much these days and will get married in June to AJ Lee. Punk has not made many television appearances of late but had a guest role on IFC's "Maron" recently.

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair looks to be returning to the WWE as a manager. Flair is due to take a physical that would declare him medically fit to be ringside as a face manager and may be teamed up with The Miz, whom he gave his Figure-four Leglock as his finisher.

Flair will also be ringside for his daughter's, Charlotte, NXT Divas title match to take place at NXT's Takeover live event on May 29. Charlotte will face Natalya, who will have Bret "The Hitman" Hart by her side, for the vacant title previously held by Paige, who was stripped of the title after defeating AJ Lee for the WWE Divas title.

Also on that Takeover card, Natalya's husband Tyson Kidd, challenges Adrien Neville for the NXT Championship, Tyler Breeze and Sami Zayn battle in a #1 Contender's match, NXT Tag Team champions The Ascension defend their titles to Kalisto and El Local, and Adam Rose battles Camacho in the live event telecast set to air on WWE Network.

Former New Japan Pro Wrestling's (NJPW) Junior Heavyweight champion Prince Devitt is expected to make his NXT debut in August, once his visa paperwork is processed for him to work in the US. Devitt is likely to be fast-tracked through NXT, considering his vast overseas experience, as he learns the WWE ring-style. Devitt may be joined by Japanese star KENTA, whose contract with NOAH has expired, and is reported to be headed to Orlando to begin training at the WWE Performance Center in the summer, according to Tokyo Sports. WWE is said to also be interested in signing current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi, who works for both NJPW and Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) organizations in Japan.

Prince Devitt vs Kota Ibushi NJPW Highlights

In other news, John Cena and Batista have each landed new Hollywood movie roles. Cena is set to appeare in Judd Apatow's new film "Trainwreck," alongside Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Tilda Swinton, Colin Quinn, Method Man, and Miami Heat star LeBron James, while Batista -- who is featured in the upcoming "Guardians of the Galaxy" -- landed a role in the remake of "Kickboxer" along with former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

Former WWE announcer, Jim Ross, has found a new gig as an announcer, working with Fox Sports 1's and Golden Boy Promotions' "Monday Night Fights," doing commentary for the Memorial Day boxing event, with Rene "Gemelo" Alcarado vs. Rocky Juarez headlining the card.

Jim Ross on Fox Sports 1