'%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)
We all remember the thunderous ovation The Rock received when he was introduced as the host of WWE's Wrestlemania XXVII. Much to the fans' delight, The Great One's return saw him wrestle at the next two manias.
Some call it a great return and some disagree with it, but it's true that all returns aren't that great. Some are not great for the business, some don't exactly carry the entertainment value and some are simply not the best for the superstar involved. With rumours of a looming return, let's have a look at five wrestlers who should and five who should not return to the WWE.
#10 Should not: Batista
This one seems all but confirmed. There are numerous web portals talking about "The Animal's" return and going by the man's interest, it is highly likely that we will soon see Batista in the squared circle.
However, just like most of the entries on this list, his return will do more damage than a favour to the current roster. Being the kind of a legend he is, it is quite sure that he will be pushed to the main event. Although he would definitely put over some upcoming superstar, en route he will go on defeating some of the younger talents who might be in a desperate need of a win. He is sure to hog the limelight and a spot on a big PPV (WrestleMania most probably) which would have belonged to some full-time superstar.
#9 Should: Wade Berrett
The former 5-time Intercontinental champion and King of the Ring, Wade Berrett, left the company and wrestling in 2016. However, he resurfaced in the Defiant Wrestling in a non-wrestling role. This was enough for the Berrett fans to realize that the man's love for wrestling was still alive and kicking. The good news is that he is still on amicable terms with the WWE and the time he left the company, his gimmick was quite over with the fans.
However, the bad news (pun intended) is that he hasn't made up his mind to lace up his wrestling boots again. Stu Bennett, the man behind the Wade Berrett gimmick, is quite contending with the acting roles he has had in some movies and with Netflix.
He has previously mentioned that he doesn't want to take more bumps and is happy with his new role. However, the equation may change as he spends more time around the ring with his current gig with Defiant. Let's hope we get to hear the 'bad news' (good news actually) of his return to the WWE soon.
#8 Should not: Alberto Del Rio
They say 'never say never' in the WWE. There are no rumours of Del Rio coming back to the WWE, especially after some vicious comments he has made after his recent departure. However, if the bridges were to mend someday, Del Rio shouldn't be welcomed.
He is a good worker but has always struggled to get over with the fans (not talking about his issues with the management). He has received a decent amount of push in the past (winning the 40-man Royal Rumble and The WWE championship) and in his last return to the company (victory over Cena), but he never got the cheers (or jitters) the way WWE expected.
Del Rio had tweaked his character, including a miserable face turn, but nothing worked for him and a return, if any, is bound to be the same. He will always be looked down as a boring Superstar.
#7 Should: Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio is the best luchador to perform for WWE. He is fondly remembered as the fan favourite David in a landscape full of Goliaths. Though Rey has left the WWE, the separation was reportedly on good terms. This makes a case for Rey to make a return which, according to the rumours, might be on the cards.
Despite his age, Rey will be an asset to the WWE. He could bring the much-needed attention to the cruiserweight division which is longing for a star ever since Austin Aeries and Neville left. He has shown that he has no problems in putting over younger talent and previously talent like Sin Cara have benefited by taking shelter under his wings.
Moreover, the WWE needs to maintain its Hispanic fan base, which would definitely be pleased to see the master of 619 back in action.
#6 Should not: Undertaker
With the kind of aura and legacy The Undertaker carries, it is always special when the light goes out, the gong sounds and "The Deadman" emerges. He is perhaps the longest sustaining gimmick that has never been seen as boring. His loss to Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 33 and the scene that followed, seemingly indicated his retirement from pro-wrestling.
However, recently there were rumours that he is training to get back into wrestling shape. Some outlets have even predicted that he will appear at the 25th anniversary of RAW to set up a match at Wrestlemania 34. Although his presence is guaranteed to sell tickets and is definitely good for business, another match would definitely hurt the man and his legacy. Undertaker, no offence to the man's ability, should have retired when Brock Lesnar ended the streak at Wrestlemania XXX.
However, he continued to perform and had subpar matches with Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns. Although his program with Brock Lesnar was great, it did lead to him resorting to heelish tactics that hurt his character. Considering his health and his ability to take more bumps, it would clearly be a mistake to have him get into the ring and give another lacklustre performance.
#5 Should: Chris Jericho
Jericho is like an old wine. The more he ages, the better he gets. His latest run in the WWE was perhaps the best of his career where he even put over a stupid list. Talent like Kevin Owens has really benefited from a rub from Jericho. The best thing with a Jericho return is that he is never injected directly into the main event.
Instead, he is adept at building a mid-card story to achieve an importance at par with the main event. His promos are always entertaining and he can get the best out of any wrestler he works with.
Currently, Jericho is scheduled to appear for NJPW in a match against Kenny Omega that has wrestling fans on the edge of their seats. Should WWE be wise enough, they'd rehire him to capture his popularity in Japan and get those fans to watch WWE. This is what's good for business.
Tweener: The Rock
Let's face it. A lot of us want him to electrify us again and a lot of us feel otherwise. The Rock is one of the biggest draws at the box office and his presence at any WWE event makes the event a sure-shot success. Having him appear and do his regular catchphrase laden verbal smackdown brings a lot of money. He doesn't need to have a decent match as the crowd is going to appreciate anything he does. He has stated that he has no problems putting over someone which creates an opportunity to elevate someone to the moon.
However, on the downside, his verbal berating can really ruin careers. Ask Rusev and Eric Rowan. The way he talked to Lana insinuating physical relationships was terrible television. The Rock appears out of nowhere and suddenly the spotlight is on him and only on him. This was one of the grievances CM Punk had with the WWE management. Thus, having The Rock is superb for business but not-so-great for the rest of the WWE roster.
#4 Should not: Goldberg
Oh boy! How excited everyone was to see Goldberg after 12 long years in the WWE! The prospect of Goldberg vs Brock II had everyone pumped up. However, that did not quite live up to the expectations. By the time Wrestlemania 33 came, much of that excitement had fizzled out.
Goldberg, although it was obvious, could not put up long matches and was christened the WWE Univeral champion, when Owens was trying to improve his otherwise boring reign. Goldberg vs. Brock was made a title match, but their rivalry did not need the belt.
Fortunately, their match went longer than Goldberg's standards and at the end, everyone was happy that he put Brock over (which was perhaps not needed). Goldberg has since stated that he is open to another run and judging by the management's interest in him, it's likely we will see him spear someone soon. The problem? He is just too old and gassed up to put up decent matches.
If the WWE thinks that his regular 'come and squash' shtick is going to be entertaining, they are delusional. The WWE universe had already started showing signs of being bored of his short match antics during his last run and another such stint will definitely not be appreciated. Moreover, Goldberg's presence again threatens some other superstars spot on the card of a major PPV.
#3 Should: CM Punk
CM Punk chants are still audible in a lot of arenas. Though the man has expressed his disdain for the company, anything can happen in the WWE. Fans have clamoured for his return ever since he lost to Mickey Gall, in his debut UFC match, mounting a very little offence. Many started believing that Punk belonged to the WWE and performing for UFC would only damage his legacy as a pro-wrestler.
The man who had an immense impact on the WWE, including the longest modern day WWE championship reign of 434 days, would be welcomed by the fans with open arms. He still has a lot of gas left in the tank. His presence is definitely going to help WWE boost its numbers and let him realize his dream - main eventing Wrestlemania.
#2 Should not: Hulk Hogan
The Hulkster can be credited for making WWE a household name. He is one of the most recognizable faces in wrestling. It is commonplace for people to have no idea about professional wrestling but still be aware of someone by the name Hulk Hogan. He is immensely popular, but so are his negative antics. WWE fired Hogan when a video emerged where Hogan threw racial slurs.
WWE has always maintained strict position against racism (instead of the time when Vince dropped the 'N-bomb' on RAW) and since WWE management is very particular about the company's social image, it is good for the WWE to keep Hogan at bay.
However, rumors are circulating that Hogan will make an appearance at the 25th anniversary of RAW. Though it might make for a good pop, it will ultimately be a bad PR move for the WWE. Firing their longtime and famous mascot on the basis of racial misconduct, the WWE showed the world its stance against racism and was widely praised for this action. Bringing
The return of The Hulkster is definitely going to ruin all of it. It's time WWE should realize that it's Hogan who needs the WWE more (to improve his image) than the other way round.
#1 Should: Daniel Bryan
This one is a no-brainer. After getting numerous reports that doctors have cleared him to wrestle, Daniel Bryan's return is something fans have been talking about all over the world. Daniel and his wife Brie have always made subtle hints that he is preparing himself for an in-ring return.
Bryan gets a huge pop from every arena he visits despite about two years into retirement. The only roadblock on the way to a return is the WWE management that doesn't want him to hurt himself under their watch. This has fueled the fire that Bryan could appear on ROH, NJPW or any other promotion to live his dream of wrestling once again. He has already hinted at this and once his fans are eagerly waiting for his contract with WWE to expire.
Don't agree with the list? You know some superstars that were left off? Please sound off in the comments below.
