The WWE is not yet into the new era and there is still a tendency to feature the old guard on PPVs for gaining ‘cheap pops’. Many retired or part-time wrestlers come back to the ring for one-night appearances even now.
While many of these entries are limited to the big two PPVs – Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, there have been instances of past stars grabbing the main event scene as well.
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1. Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels may have retired at Wrestlemania 26, but it hasn’t stopped the WWE from making HBK appear at the six ensuing WrestleManias in one capacity or the other. HBK mostly appears in segments to aid his friend Triple H in the latter’s matches and every time he does, he draws a huge reaction.
It is apparent that Michaels’ friendship with Triple H plays a part in him appearing at ‘Mania every year, but the WWE would have preferred him at the show even if it wasn’t the case. Michaels is one of the legends of the business and he has a great connection with the fans.
Not for nothing is he called ‘Mr.WrestleMania’.
2. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin retired 13 years ago, but he has appeared on WWE TV every year since then. Austin’s appearance is mainly used to generate buzz for an event and the segment usually ends with him delivering a Stunner to a mid card talent.
It isn’t the greatest use of Austin’s talents, but it is the only way the company can milk his still-great aura.
WrestleMania 32 had Austin, Michaels and Mick Foley appear to battle the League of Nations and rest assured that such appearances are going to continue.
3. Mick Foley
Mick Foley is another part-timer who appears on WWE TV occasionally. Foley retired as far back as Wrestlemania 2000 and he is still considered a huge draw – so much so that TNA put the TNA World Heavyweight title on him more than a decade since he retired from in-ring action.
Foley has competed sporadically after his retirement as well, notably taking on the likes of Randy Orton, Edge and Carlito after his retirement.
He was even scheduled to face Dean Ambrose before Ambrose’s main roster push, but his doctors advised him against it. Count on the WWE to pull out the Foley card again in the near future.
4. nWo
The nWo as an entity, will not be used by the WWE anytime soon owing to its poor relationship with Hulk Hogan, but Scott Hall and Kevin Nash can expect to grace a WWE ring anytime their pal Triple H gives them the call.
The trio was at WrestleMania 31 interfering in Triple H’s match against Sting and Hall was also at ‘Mania 32 and on Raw the night after.
Hogan is undoubtedly the biggest draw among the three and he might yet mend fences with the WWE and come back for future blink and miss appearances
5. The Rock
Dwayne Jonhson is a huge Hollywood superstar now, which makes it all the more important for the WWE to feature him on the show. The Rock was in the main event for three straight WrestleManias even after leaving for Hollywood, which legitimately upset many people on the roster who felt that a part-timer should not be allowed to headline the greatest show in wrestling.
The Rock’s WWE appearances have come down as of late but expect ‘The Great One’ to make a splash around WrestleMania time.
