Who’s next after Shane O’Mac?It is once again that time of the year when the WWE Universe starts getting excited about the WrestleMania season. WWE kicks things into higher gear, and the superstars raise their game in order to get a spot on the WrestleMania card.Fans from around the world will flock Dallas, Texas, which is set to host WrestleMania 32. WrestleMania season is usually filled with rumors and potential returns, along with speculations about who will main event the biggest show of the year, and walk out with the richest prize in the business.With Triple H and Roman Reigns rumored to headline this year’s WrestleMania, there are endless possibilities as to how the entire card will shape up.Last year, Seth Rollins stole the show when he cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase. ‘The Icon’ Sting took on Triple H, and during the bout, the New World Order and D-Generation X crossed paths, giving the fans yet another WrestleMania moment.Shane McMahon returned on RAW recently, that is hopefully the first of many more shocking returns to follow.This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever – with Undertaker vs Shane and a massive street fight also on the cards apart from the Reigns-Triple H match – and as such, we take a look at eight unexpected returns on the road to this year’s WrestleMania.
#8 Cesaro
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The Swiss Superman has been sidelined due to a shoulder injury he picked up last year. Cesaro was building a head of steam towards the end of 2015, and apparently was working with a banged up shoulder.
The former United States champion received a lot of support from the WWE Universe as well as WWE legends, with the likes of Ric Flair and Mick Foley believing that he should’ve already won the WWE World Heavyweight title.
However, Cesaro had to undergo a surgery due to a torn left shoulder rotator cuff muscle back in November, and was expected to sit on the sidelines for at least four months. With WWE touring Germany later this week, Cesaro was one of the superstars who were advertised for the live events.
Although Cesaro might not wrestle on the tour, he could be back in action before WrestleMania.
#7 Batista
The last time Batista was in a WWE ring, he faced the ire of the WWE Universe. Batista’s return in 2014 was rather uneventful, but it wasn’t the superstar’s fault.
WWE, against Batista’s wishes, booked him to win the Royal Rumble, and later headline WrestleMania 30. However, the company had to go in a different direction, as the entire WWE Universe forced Vince McMahon to put Daniel Bryan in the main event.
It has been reported recently that WWE approached Batista to get involved in some capacity at WrestleMania 32. It was also speculated that Vince McMahon wanted Batista to be the special guest referee in the main event match between Triple H and Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight championship.
However, Batista reportedly turned down the offer but expressed his desire to get involved given the right storyline.
#6 Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels has been one of the very few superstars to have stayed retired after their retirement match. Michaels lost to The Undertaker few years ago at the granddaddy of sports entertainment and has since turned down numerous requests by Vince McMahon to return for one more match.
Shawn was reportedly once again approached about being one of the surprise entrants at this year’s Royal Rumble, but Michaels once again turned down the offer.
However, with WrestleMania 32 taking place in Dallas, Vince McMahon wants Shawn to be involved in some capacity. Furthermore, there have been rumblings about Shawn Michaels being offered the same role that Batista had earlier turned down, which is to act as the special guest referee in the main event at WrestleMania 32.
With Vince McMahon being adamant to bring Shawn Michaels on board, only time will tell if the Hall of Famer makes an appearance leading up to WrestleMania.
#5 Daniel Bryan
The wrestling world is currently abuzz with about Daniel Bryan returning on RAW in an emotional retirement segment.
With Bryan being sidelined for the better part of a year, the WWE Universe is itching to see the former WWE World Heavyweight champion return, who announced his retirement on Twitter to the shock of the wrestling fraternity.
With the reports of Bryan returning to wrestle all out of the question, WWE could involve the former WWE Champion in a non-wrestling segment at the show. To keep out a big name star such as Bryan – who can draw people to arenas – would be a big mistake and considering the momentum that is on Bryan’s side, a non-wrestling role is what he deserves.
#4 Ronda Rousey
Last year’s WrestleMania produced several “mark out” moments. During the show, The Rock and the former UFC Bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey teamed up to challenge The Authority, as Ronda hip tossed Triple H out of the ring.
Ronda has been an avid WWE fan and has expressed her desire to perform in the WWE soon.
Ever since her knockout loss to Holly Holm last year at UFC 193, Ronda has maintained a low profile. While she did not make any public appearances for over two months, the former champion once again returned to the spotlight with her recent appearance on Saturday Night Live.
WWE, and especially Stephanie McMahon have expressed their interest in bringing Ronda back, and with Ronda taking a break from fighting until November, we may very well see her making a couple of appearances on WWE programming leading up to WrestleMania 32.
#3 Goldberg
For over a decade, the WWE Universe has been direly calling for the return of the former WCW and WWE World Heavyweight champion, Bill Goldberg. While Goldberg and WWE might not have parted ways on the best of terms, recently, Goldberg has been linked with a potential return to WWE.
Goldberg has also expressed his interest in having one final run in the WWE before calling it a day, and the fans needn’t be surprised if he returns to WWE on the road to WrestleMania.
Interestingly enough, recently, Jim Ross talked about Goldberg potentially returning to WWE in his blog. WWE and Vince McMahon, in particular, have been known to work out their differences and putting business first, and as such would know the amount of interest Goldberg would generate.
Also, a feud between Goldberg and Ryback would help Ryback immensely, and would also be an interesting matchup at WrestleMania 32.
#2 Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan’s relationship with WWE has taken a considerable hit, and WWE has tried distancing itself from the Hall of Famer in the past year.
However, there have been recent reports about WWE changing its stance regarding the former World champion, and in his latest installment of Wrestling Observer, Dave Meltzer said that the company might be interested in bringing Hogan back for this year’s WrestleMania.
What also caught the attention of the fans is the fact that Hogan has been taking bookings during the WrestleMania weekend in Dallas, and has been charging a relatively less amount. While this does not mean that Hogan would be appearing at WrestleMania, there is a good chance that the Hulkster returns to WWE sooner than you’d expect.
#1 Kurt Angle
The WWE Universe has been clamoring to see Kurt Angle performing once again in the company, and the fans might finally get their wish.
After nearly a decade, the former Olympic gold medalist might return to the company where he became a household name. Kurt recently finished up with TNA and has been putting out feelers to see if a return to WWE would be possible.
Kurt has been working on his personal issues, and is in a better place than where he was a decade ago. While Kurt wouldn’t want to endure the normal WWE schedule, there is a good chance that he might get to work limited dates, similar to the likes of Sting and The Undertaker.
Kurt is still a phenomenal wrestler, and with superstars such as AJ Styles and Samoa Joe now in WWE, Kurt would be tempted to sign with WWE once again.
Kurt recently said that the decision to bring him back is in the hands of Vince McMahon and Triple H. With Vince going all out to make this year’s WrestleMania the biggest edition in recent memory, we may very well see the return of the “Olympic Hero” on the road to WrestleMania 32.
