10 more legends we want to see on SmackDown 1000

As of this writing, the 1000th episode of SmackDown hasn't had as much promotion and work put into it as you would think, but over the past week and a half, they have been starting to add more and more matches, and more and more superstars, both past and present.

And while the growing list of superstars is pretty good so far, boasting the likes of The Undertaker, Kane, Edge, Vickie Guerrero, Teddy Long, Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool, Rey Mysterio making his full-time return, and Triple H, Ric Flair and Batista joining up with Smackdown star Randy Orton for a one night Evolution reunion, they still could add so many more past and present names to make the night truly special.

While some of SmackDown's all-time greats like John Cena or Chris Jericho may be too busy to appear, the following wrestlers should all be able to make the trip, should they be invited by WWE. so here are ten more superstars that fans would love to see on SmackDown 1000.

#10 Matt Hardy

The Hardy Boyz were one of the few big WWE tag teams to survive the first brand split (although the Dudley's and APA would later reunite), but after one more tag team feud, WWE decided to focus on a Jeff Hardy solo push, despite the team still being together.

After a couple months treading water on Sunday Night Heat, Matt Hardy would turn heel on his brother and jump ship to SmackDown, and Mattitude was born.

Matt Hardy's new 'Guru-Sensei', over the top heel character was an absolute riot of entertainment and he became one of the best reasons to tune into SmackDown. He was very comical and due to how over the character was, Hardy was featured a lot throughout late 2002 and 2003. Hardy would also have good (but could have been better) run on SmackDown from 2005 - 2010, most notably in a 'frenemy' tag team and feud with MVP.

Matt Hardy is currently off WWE TV with his in-ring future currently up in the air, but a well-deserved cameo on SmackDown 1000 from 'Woken' Matt Hardy would be fun and maybe rekindle WWE's interest in something to do with him on TV.

#9 JBL

After an APA reunion on SmackDown in 2003, Bradshaw went through a huge change on the blue show in 2004 when partner Ron Simmons was released from his contract.

Following Ron Simmons on-screen 'firing' in April 2004, Bradshaw emerged the following week a new man. Now with a new, classy upbeat but smug theme music and even more smug attitude, a new cowboy hat and suit-wearing Bradshaw was now identified as 'John Bradshaw Layfield', a cocky businessman.

The gimmick was actually based on real life. While JBL did enjoy a beer or two and a game of cards, he was a very smart player on the stock market and a financial quarter FOX News analyst.

The character was an instant hit and thanks to top heels, Brock Lesnar leaving WWE and Kurt Angle being on the shelf for six months, JBL was in the right place at the right time for a main event push.

JBL had an excellent feud with Eddie Guerrero which resulted in him becoming WWE Champion and holding it for nine months. He would also become the WWE United States Champion and engage in many memorable feuds with the likes of Rey Mysterio and Bobby Lashley. Following both of his retirements, he also became a colour commentator for SmackDown and a good one at that.

I think these accolades make JBL more than deserving for an appearance on SmackDown 1000.

#8 Booker T

Booker T has really done it all on SmackDown. After being one of the most popular and entertaining supers on WWE RAW for two years, Booker T was traded over to SmackDown in 2004 and would become one of the show's greatest superstars.

Unlike his two year face run on RAW, Booker would spend most of his time on SmackDown as a heel. Booker T would win his 6th World Championship while on SmackDown and become a 3 time WWE United States Champion. He also participated in notable feuds with the like of Chris Benoit, The Undertaker, Rey Mysterio, John Cena and Batista.

Booker T's time on SmackDown will probably be best remembered for when he won the King of The Ring tournament in 2006 and became 'King Booker', a hilariously over the top King of WWE. Booker would also become a colour commentator for SmackDown and later the General Manager for the show from 2012 - 2013.

These achievements more than qualify him for an appearance on SmackDown 1000.

#7 Kurt Angle

RAW General Manager still is best known for his run on Smackdown

Kurt Angle is arguably the greatest superstar in the history of WWE SmackDown.

The second draft pick during the original brand extension, Angle would be one of the focal points of the show for the next three and a half years.

During his time as a member of the SmackDown roster, Angle won his second and third WWE Championships, the World Heavyweight Championship and he and Chris Benoit were the inaugural WWE Tag Team Champions. Before the 2002 draft, Angle also won the WCW Championship on an episode of SmackDown in 2001, and his very first Champion, the European Championship on an episode in 2000.

Kurt has wrestled some of the best matches in SmackDown history and has taken part in some of the most memorable feuds of the show, with the like of Brock Lesnar, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Edge and more. Angle even spent a short while in 2004 as the General Manager of SmackDown, while rehabbing his neck.

While today, Kurt Angle serves as the General Manager of RAW, a well-earned appearance on SmackDown 1000 shouldn't be out of the question as he is still on 'vacation' from his GM duties on RAW.

#6 Christian

As of this writing, WWE Hall of Famer Edge may or may not be appearing on SmackDown 1000. Edge was initially announced by WWE to be hosting an episode of 'The Cutting Edge', but has since been removed from the advertising, and with no announcement from WWE or Edge yet, his status for the show is unknown.

When Edge was announced, however, something was missing. An announcement for an appearance from his best friend and tag team partner, Christian. Captain Charisma is very deserving in the minds of many fans for an appearance on SmackDown 1000.

Alongside Edge, the two had many memorable segments and matches together during SmackDown's early years. After Edge retired in 2011, Christian was given a strong push as a main event superstar and top heel on SmackDown, where he engaged in an excellent World Championship feud with Randy Orton.

An appearance from Christian, with or without Edge, shouldn't be out of the question as he would be welcomed by fans and his one of the all-time greats in SmackDown history.

#5 Shane McMahon

Shane McMahon returned to WWE after in 2016 after a seven-year absence, and that same year was appointed the commissioner of SmackDown when WWE announced the second ever brand extension.

McMahon did pretty well as the commissioner, participating in feuds with top stars like AJ Styles, and Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. However, Shane took some time away from WWE TV back in April and now six months later in October, he has still yet to return.

Now of course, McMahon was taking some time to heal some injuries that he took in his matches, as well as tend to his business dealings outside of WWE, but six months just seems like an awfully long time to not have the commissioner of the show be on television, especially having been featured on almost every episode of SmackDown in 2016 and 2017.

As it is Shane McMahon's show, I think his return, or at least an appearance, is long overdue and I can't think of a better night to return than the 1000th episode of SmackDown.

#4 Mr. Kennedy

MRRRRRR...... KENNEDDDDY!

Sorry, just had to do it.

It has been a long time since we have seen Mr Kennedy in the WWE, almost an entire decade, in fact. Everyone should know his story by now, he was almost the future of the company, but due to some back to back injuries, suspensions and Triple H not being a big fan of him, his future came crashing down.

However, while he still a superstar on the rise, he gave us some great SmackDown moments and matches. He had a very thrilling feud with The Undertaker in 2006, and his self-introduction gimmick provided much entertainment.

With impressive victories on SmackDown over Batista, Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, Kane and The Undertaker, among more, a cameo appearance from the former WWE United States Champion on SmackDown 1000 would be a lot of fun and something that many fans would be happy to see.

#3 Hulk Hogan

After three years away, Hulk Hogan is finally back on good terms with WWE and back in the Hall of Fame.

As Hogan has made several public apologies for his privately recorded controversial comments, including an apology to the entire WWE locker room, a return to WWE TV may be in the books for the future. A Hogan return has been teased for the Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia on November 2, but I can think of a better place for him to return, WWE SmackDown 1000.

Hulk Hogan has a short but rich history on SmackDown, having been drafted to the show during the original brand extension in 2002. Just a few weeks later at Backlash, he defeated Triple H for his sixth WWE Championship.

Following his title loss, he competed in some of SmackDown's most memorable matches with Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar and became a WWE Tag Team Champion for the only time in his career when he and Edge defeated Billy & Chuck on the 4th of July SmackDown special in 2002. Hogan also participated in one the best feuds in Smackdown history, with Vince McMahon in 2003.

I think many fans would love to see the Hulkster return to WWE on SmackDown 1000.

#2 Stone Cold Steve Austin

Stone Cold Steve Austin is without a doubt the greatest superstar in the history of Monday Night RAW (and possibly all of WWE), but he has also had a great career on SmackDown.

Austin appeared on many episodes throughout the show's history from 1999 - 2002, and some minor appearances afterwards, and gave us some of Smackdown's best matches and moments.

The majority of Steve Austin's best matches and moments from SmackDown came in 2001, during the Invasion angle. Austin wrestled several thrilling matches with Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Rob Van Dam and many more throughout the year and took part in some hilarious segments including several sing along's with Kurt Angle and The Rock, as well as his famous supermarket segment with Booker T.

Much like his appearance earlier this on the 25 Anniversary episode of Monday Night RAW, an Austin appearance would blow the roof off the building, bring in a lot of viewers and create another great memory in whatever segment they would use him for.

#1 The Rock

This one is the most obvious one that fans would want to have. Other than being the most charismatic and entertaining superstar in the history of WWE, The Rock likes to refer to SmackDown as ''his show'', as he is the one who gave it the name SmackDown, coming from his catchphrase "Layeth the SmackDown".

The Rock has had many classic matches and segments on SmackDown over the years with the like of The Undertaker, Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, the McMahon family and many more.

It is actually possible that The Rock may appear on SmackDown 1000 as it is something that WWE really wants and has even teased the possible appearance on Twitter recently.The WWE is hopeful of The Rock being involved in an angle for WrestleMania 35 next year and an appearance on SmackDown, other than for nostalgia reasons, would be a good way to set that up.

One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE