WWE News and Rumor Roundup: Potential reason why Tony Khan took a shot at Jinder Mahal, update on plans to honor Bray Wyatt

We are back with our daily edition of WWE News and Rumor Roundup. Today's list looks at the latest updates on two superstars injured on SmackDown this week, special plans in the works for Bray Wyatt, and rumored changes in the contract of a currently injured superstar.

Additionally, a new SmackDown faction's name was revealed this week, while Dutch Mantell explained the potential reason behind Tony Khan attacking Jinder Mahal on social media.

Here, we look at the biggest stories that have dominated the WWE headlines over the last 24 hours. So, without further ado, let's begin:

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#1 SmackDown match cut short due to injuries

Former United States Champion Austin Theory locked horns with former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes. Their match was reported merely a few hours before the show and was booked when the latter made a surprise appearance on the blue brand this week. It led to a singles bout, which ended abruptly after a move off the top rope went wrong.

One spot in the match saw Theory climb up with Carmelo for a bump off the top rope, but both superstars landed on their necks, hitting hard on the ring surface. The match official immediately went to check on both and threw up a cross sign, signaling the end of the match as medical staff rushed to the ring.

Later, the promotion confirmed that both superstars suffered from face contusions, but ''will be okay.''

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#2 Latest update on WWE's potential plans to induct Bray Wyatt into the Hall of Fame induction

As per the latest reports by PWInsider, WWE is planning a special project for Bray Wyatt. The wrestling world grieved Bray's demise last year after he succumbed to heart issues. The Triple H-run promotion is planning a way to honor the former Universal Champion, for which they also interviewed his brother and WWE star, Bo Dallas.

The above report led to several speculations about Bray Wyatt's possible induction into the Hall of Fame this year ahead of WrestleMania 40. However, as per Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, a source close to the late superstar has revealed that no such information has been relayed to his family as of this writing.

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#3 WWE reportedly set to change injured superstar's contract

Erik of The Viking Raiders revealed in November last year that he had undergone neck fusion surgery, rendering him out of action for the foreseeable future. The backstage reports have claimed that WWE will alter his contract terms following his health concerns.

As reported by Fightful, WWE is set to add more time to Erik's term to make up for his ongoing absence. There is no concrete update on the potential time frame of his return as of this writing. In his absence, his tag team partner Ivar has continued to wrestle in singles competitions on RAW with Valhalla on his side.

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#4 New faction officially revealed on SmackDown this week

Last week on SmackDown, we saw Karrion Kross, with Scarlett, officially reveal the Authors of Pain and Paul Ellering as his allies, before attacking Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits. The All-Mighty challenged Kross and his newfound friends to come out for a fight.

However, Ellering was the only one who appeared and diverted the attention towards the titan-tron for a vignette. The video showed Kross re-introducing AOP and labeling Ellering the most sadistic man alive before revealing the group's name as "The Final Testament.''

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#5 Possible reason why Tony Khan took a shot at Jinder Mahal

Former world champion Jinder Mahal returned on RAW to a segment with The Rock and got himself a title match against Seth Rollins the following week. AEW President Tony Khan took a shot at Jinder for getting a title match despite not having won any of his bouts in the past year. This led to a brutal exchange on social media, where Khan doubled down on his take, which was heavily criticized by wrestling fans.

Industry veteran Dutch Mantell speculated that Tony Khan intended to gain attention with his figs aimed at Jinder Mahal. He believes the WWE's rival promotion's seemingly turbulent times pushed the owner to take the step.

"I have never seen, really, an owner of a company just actually send a tweet to the other company and it comes back and forth. They've got a lot of attention. So, what do you think that's from?...If you take into account that RAW is drawing over two million viewers every week and Rampage or Dynamite, what's Dynamite doing? Seven hundred thousand? But it got a lot of attention online. A lot of people wrote me about it," Dutch Mantell said. [1:22 - 2:44]

Mahal will challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship on the forthcoming Monday. ''Senior Money in the Bank'' Damian Priest tried to cash in his contract for Rollins' gold when the latter defended his title against Drew McIntyre on RAW: Day 1. The Judgment Day member may make his second attempt when Rollins and Mahal lock horns on the January 15th episode of RAW.