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WWE's roster has been trimmed considerably over the last year, across all divisions. Wrestlers, producers and those working in various backroom departments have been let go.
While many have predicted WWE's decision to let go of several employees is because Vince McMahon is preparing to sell the company, the economic fallout due to COVID is a major reason.
WWE could also be freeing up its finances to bring back big-name stars to the company. This seems like the perfect time as fans are about to return to WWE arenas. A few stars have already stated their intention to return to WWE.
Here are 8 stars who want to return to WWE & their rumored opponents:
#8 D-Von Dudley wants to be in a WWE Royal Rumble match
WWE Hall of Famer and producer D-Von Dudley is, technically, still a part of WWE, but his role is that of a producer rather than an in-ring performer. D-Von had a health scare a few months ago as he suffered a stroke. The WWE legend seems to have recovered from it and has returned to his role as a WWE producer.
D-Von Dudley, earlier this year, expressed his desire to return to the ring for one final match. He stated that he has never been in a Royal Rumble match and would like to be in it next year:
"What I'm saying is I would love to be in the Royal Rumble next year. If everything still goes right with me, I would love to have the opportunity to do that. But, I have to be straight. My body has to be good and ready to go. I'll be honest with you, I think I'll be fine. I'll declare myself in saying that I will try to get ready for the Royal Rumble and hopefully Mr. McMahon picks me to be in it."
D-Von Dudley hasn't wrestled in WWE since 2016, with his last televised match coming against The New Day.
#7 Carlito wants to be a producer in WWE
Carlito returned to WWE earlier this year at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view after a decade away from the company.
The one-time United States Champion featured on the RAW after Royal Rumble, where he teamed up with Jeff Hardy to take on Elias and Jaxson Ryker. This was Carlito's last appearance in WWE.
Carlito recently revealed that there hasn't been any contact from WWE since his Royal Rumble appearance. He has stated that he would like to return to WWE in some capacity:
“Yea, a producer role or a trainer role. All of that kind of sounds intriguing. I’m willing to listen to whatever at this point, but I think those would be interesting helping out the younger guys and help them develop, which would be something new for me," said Carlito.
There are several former wrestlers who are currently producers in WWE. The likes of Shawn Michaels, D-Von Dudley, Jason Jordan, Tyson Kidd, Shane Helms and Jeff Jarrett, to name a few, work backstage in WWE as producers.
#6 Ronda Rousey wants to face current champions in WWE
Ronda Rousey hasn't appeared on WWE television since her loss at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. There are many question marks over her WWE future as neither she nor WWE have indicated if or when she will return.
In an appearance on D-Von Dudley's Table Talk podcast earlier this year, Rousey once again stoked rumors about returning to WWE. She named a few Superstars that she would like to face if she returns to the company:
“Given the fact that we never worked together before and that we had a day and a half to put the whole thing together, I really think me and Charlotte had a lot of great chemistry. One person that I’m capable of doing the most with is Nia [Jax] because she’s really really strong. I don’t have to worry about hurting her. I would really love to work with Rhea Ripley," said Rousey.
Rousey also named SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair as a wrestler she would like to work with.
Just a few days after her appearance on the Table Talk podcast, Rousey announced on her YouTube channel that she was pregnant.
That rules out a Ronda Rousey return anytime soon, but like Becky Lynch - who is rumored to be returning soon after giving birth - Rousey could also return to WWE in the future.
#4 & #5 Brie and Nikki Bella want to win the WWE Women's Tag Team titles
The Bella Twins were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame earlier this year. Brie Bella and Nikki Bella have made sporadic appearances in WWE in recent years, with their last match together coming in 2018.
But the twins haven't retired from WWE yet and are planning on making a return soon. They want to return to fight for the WWE Women's Tag Team titles, which are currently held by Natalya and Tamina.
In an interview with ET earlier this year, Brie Bella stated that she and her sister want to win the tag team titles:
"So we definitely talk about it. The one thing is that WWE brought the women's tag team titles and we're like, wait a second, how did the Bellas not have this on their resume? So, it's so tempting because we would love to go fight for the tag titles because that's all we've ever been is a tag team," said Brie Bella.
She also said that she wants her daughter to see what she does and that it would be "special" for her.
#3 Goldberg has one more match in WWE for 2021
WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg has featured in high-profile matches since his return to the company in 2016. He has faced legends like Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker, as well as Drew McIntyre and The Fiend, in his second run with WWE.
And it looks like Goldberg isn't retiring anytime soon as he still has a few matches remaining on his current contract with WWE. He revealed last year that he has two matches per year for the next three years:
"I am contracted with the WWE for the next two years through 2022, '23. I've got two matches per year. I've exhausted my limit this year quite early on April the fifth with WrestleMania under these really weird circumstances."
He has wrestled one match this year, which came at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, against Drew McIntyre. WWE fans could see Goldberg once again this year, with a recent report claiming he could face WWE Champion Bobby Lashley.
Fans have been demanding a match between Lashley and Brock Lesnar, but it seems that they will get one of Lesnar's former opponents instead with Goldberg.
#2 The Rock could return to WWE to set up a dream match
The Rock's return to WWE is an eagerly awaited one for fans as they haven't seen The Great One wrestle in a long time. Rock wants to return to WWE and face off against Roman Reigns, which he revealed in an interview last year.
He stated that he would be honored to face off against Reigns in WWE. It's only a matter of when and not if, regarding a match between Roman Reigns and The Rock in WWE.
A recent report indicated that WWE could bring back The Rock at Survivor Series later this year. It will be to commemorate 25 years since The Rock debuted in WWE.
His appearance at Survivor Series could possibly set up a match with Roman Reigns, which could take place at WrestleMania the following year.
The Rock hasn't wrestled in WWE since 2016, when he squashed Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32. His last match in WWE prior to that came in 2013, when he faced John Cena at WrestleMania 29.
#1 John Cena could return to WWE later this year
Another WWE legend who could return for a high-profile match is John Cena. Cena last featured on WWE television at WrestleMania 36 last year, when he faced The Fiend.
Cena has teased a return to WWE in recent months and stated in a recent interview that he is looking forward to wearing his old gear again:
"The last time was not this WrestleMania but last WrestleMania. I can tell you this, I very much look forward to wearing jorts again, it's been too long," said Cena.
WWE is set to return to live events later this month and a report in the Wrestling Observer stated that WWE is keen to bring Cena back for their first live event.
Cena could most likely begin a feud with Roman Reigns, which could culiminate in a match between the two at SummerSlam in August.
Former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre is also keen to face John Cena in their first singles match against each other. It will be interesting to see who Cena will feud with when he returns later this year.
