'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE is gearing up for the 36th edition of WrestleMania i.e. WrestleMania 36, taking place this year in Tampa, Florida. The excitement level is at a fever pitch for this marquee event with the likes of Charlotte Flair, Brock Lesnar, and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt expected to feature on the main card. Besides, a host of additional main roster superstars will also compete to give WWE fans their money's worth of entertainment come April.
However that is not all, as WrestleMania is a spectacle like no other. It simply wouldn't be WrestleMania without a few key additions and guest appearances. The WWE Universe is accustomed to appearances from WWE Hall of Famers such as 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, The Rock, Hulk Hogan and so many others who have appeared on the biggest event of the year.
Fans can surely expect a couple of former Superstars or part-timers to make an appearance. While some of them could fight in an exhibition contest, others would be used in order to entertain the crowd through fun appearances, such as last year, when John Cena interrupted Elias while portraying his 'Dr. of Thuganomics' character. All in all, there is definitely buzz around who would make it to WrestleMania 36. Here are 5 Superstars who could make a return and appear at WrestleMania 36.
#5 John Cena
One superstar who is undoubtedly going to make an appearance at WrestleMania 36 is John Cena. The 16-time World Champion is set to return to WWE on the February 28, 2020 episode of SmackDown. Cena is one of the most decorated WWE Superstars of this generation, but as he is getting older he has moved out of the spotlight and rarely shows up on WWE programming.
With Cena's Hollywood career booming, his appearances in WWE have reduced significantly in recent years. However, Cena is a regular at WrestleMania events, with the former WWE Champion most recently entertaining the audience with a segment alongside Elias. Since then, Cena has only been seen on the main roster sporadically. His last appearance was at the RAW Reunion last July.
Cena has main-evented a few WrestleManias against the likes of The Rock, Triple H and Shawn Michaels. His in-ring ability and exploits in the WWE, which were on display for the better part of the 2000s and 2010s, stands out with the 16-time champion being a huge fan-favourite among WWE fans. With Cena possessing a gift of gab, fans are always behind the veteran.
Although the reason behind John Cena's return is up in the air, all signs point towards Cena competing at WrestleMania 36. If this were the case, several viable candidates come up for what could be a dream match involving Cena.
#4 The Undertaker
The Deadman, a former multiple time World Champion, is another legend who could feature in match at WrestleMania 36. For many years, The Undertaker symbolized the annual event with his once-perfect WrestleMania streak being a highlight. Although he has now suffered two defeats, he is still recognized as one of the greatest to step inside the ring on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
Despite 'Taker not being a full-time wrestler, he has made a few appearances over the last year or so. In spite of several injury issues, The Undertaker has competed in WWE sporadically, with matches at the 2019 editions of Super ShowDown and Extreme Rules.
Similar to last WrestleMania, The Undertaker seems to be set to grace the event with his presence. There are rumours around the possibility of a match between The Deadman and Sting, who has gone on record saying that a match with The Undertaker is the only one he would agree to come back for. Although it would delight fans, none of this has been confirmed by Vince McMahon or WWE. The Undertaker could show up for a quick segment the way Cena did last year instead of a match in order to preserve his own physical wellbeing.
While some have said that Aleister Black could go one-on-one with The Deadman, the possibility of Sting returning and finally having the dream match everybody has waiting for would be incredible. Both of them are widely recognized in the business and would even make for a fitting end to either superstar's career.
#3 Ronda Rousey
It's been nearly a year since Ronda Rousey was in action. The former UFC fighter had a great run in WWE, winning the RAW Women's Championship and defending it against Becky Lynch and Charlotte in the first-ever WrestleMania main event featuring women.
Although Ronda has been unavailable due to personal reasons, the focus has very often been on her impending and likely return. The recent attack on Becky Lynch by Ronda's close friend, Shayna Baszler, adds substance to the rumours as well. The bloodied look on Baszler's face resembled that of Becky Lynch on the night she had her first altercation with Ronda Rousey. With the Horsewomen debate always lingering around, the possibility of Ronda making a comeback at WrestleMania looks promising, as it could potentially lead to a 4 Horsewomen of WWE vs. 4 Horsewomen of UFC dream match later on down the line.
With Baszler very likely set to face Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 36, a distraction from Rousey could be the perfect way to get back at Lynch for taking her title last year and essentially running her out of the company. Ronda hasn't put a timeline on her return, which adds to the intrigue of the storyline.
#2 Paige
Although Paige had great success in WWE quickly and at a young age, she suffered a tragic career-ending injury which is likely to keep her out of the ring forever. If the return of Edge says anything, however, you can never say never. The former Women's Champion was a highly rated wrestler, who won gold on her first-ever appearance on RAW. It has been over two years since Paige announced her retirement from wrestling. Since then, she has stuck around in a managerial role and on WWE Backstage.
Fans are continuing to hold out hope for her return to the ring. There were rumours about Paige returning at the Royal Rumble PPV, but it did not occur. Paige has done her bit to add fuel to the speculation by saying she's got a whole lot of career left.
Returning from a career-ending injury isn't too far from a possibility, and even if she doesn't return for a full-time career, a one-off match may not be out of the question. Short of that, Paige could make an appearance along with a Hall of Fame wrestler or in some other surprise non-wrestling capacity.
For more details about storylines, matchcards of WrestleMania 36 visit: Wrestlemania 36
#1 CM Punk
How could CM Punk not be at the very top of this list? Ever since his first appearance on WWE Backstage, the rumours of his return have been thriving. Although it has been over six years since he set foot inside a WWE ring, Punk is still a cult hero. Despite his differences with Vince McMahon, WWE fans eagerly wait for Punk's long-awaited return to the company.
CM Punk was at the top of his game before his departure. Sadly, things didn't go according to plan for the former WWE Champion, as he departed the company for various reasons, both related to creative and personal differences. He even forrayed into UFC, which didn't work out as well as he would have liked.
With CM Punk back in the realm of WWE, even though he's technically employed by FOX, there is still a chance he could appear at WrestleMania 36. There have been instances of a fall out between WWE officials and superstars such as Bret Hart -- major issues -- that have seen fences mended. WWE has shown a tendency to let bygones be bygones in the past, which shouldn't rule out the possibility of CM Punk making a return at some point, even if it isn't WresteMania. It would definitely be fantastic to hear "Cult of Personality" ring out through the giant stadium in Tampa on April 5th.
