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WrestleMania is the best time of the year for wrestling fans. The Raw after Mania, draws some of the biggest ratings of the year, with the hottest crowd in the arena. Returning Superstars are usually greeted with the loudest pop from a sold-out crowd.
The Raw after WrestleMania is the most sought after Monday Night episode of the year, and one expects to see some major new and old names making their way back to the WWE.
There are many big names who are expected to make a return to the WWE in 2018. It's the time of the year when fans will be eagerly anticipating some twists and turns. Remember 2012? Brock Lesnar returned to the company after eight years and changed the dynamics of the business. Will we witness another similar feat this year?
Here we look at 5 legends who can make a return to the WWE after Mania.
#5 Goldberg
Goldberg was one of the most dominant performers in WWE history. He is a three-time World Champion in WWE(and WCW). He was arguably one of the most popular professional wrestlers of the late 1990s. He returned to WWE in 2016 to renew his rivalry with Brock Lesnar, much to the delight of the WWE Universe.
Goldberg is headlining the Hall of Fame Class of 2018, and he has also expressed his desire for one more run with the WWE. There is nothing left for Goldberg to prove inside the squared circle, but the passion for pro-wrestling that keeps bringing him back.
Goldberg recently spoke with The Washington Post about a potential return to the WWE:
Do I want to roll the dice again? I don’t know. I’ll quote one of the most famous movies that I was ever in, ‘Santa’s Slay’: It ain’t over ‘til I say it’s over."
There were reports that WWE is considering Goldberg's name as the winner for the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania. He is undoubtedly a big name and would receive a massive pop from the crowd. His last feud with Brock Lesnar was awesome, and maybe there is one more run left in The Myth, Goldberg. So, "Who's Next?"
#4 Batista
Batista is a six-time World Champion in his 11-year career in WWE. When he returned to WWE in 2014, he won the 2014 Royal Rumble match, after which he main-evented WrestleMania XXX. Batista is an underrated workhorse and, is one of the most popular and recognizable wrestlers in WWE history.
Batista hasn't been in the WWE ring for about four years now. The wrestler turned actor has expressed his wish to come back to the company for a final run. Unlike other veterans, 'The Animal' wants to return full-time, and despite some outspoken outbursts regarding the wrestling business, the passion still burns inside him.
While speaking to Jim Ross on The Ross Report podcast, Batista unveiled his plans about speaking to Vince McMahon:
I’ve talked to Vince (McMahon) recently and he knows what I want. I’ve made it very clear that I wanted to go back and run a program with Hunter. I’ve been very public about it and I think that’s the thing that would get me back.
Batista’s dedication to wrestling has never been in doubt, and the fans will love to see a rekindled feud between 'The Animal' and, 'The Game'. Batista has a lot of star-power attached to him which will obviously be 'best for business'.
#3 Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio is arguably the best high-flying wrestler in WWE history. A 13-year veteran of the company, he is a three-time World Champion and a four-time Tag Team Champion. Regarded as the greatest Cruiserweight wrestler of all time, Mysterio has always been known for his high-quality in-ring work and, work ethic.
Mysterio is one step closer to coming back to the WWE. He is traveling to Birmingham this week to see WWE doctors and, will be having his partially torn bicep checked out ahead of potentially signing a new contract with WWE.
He was scheduled to face wrestling legend Jushin 'Thunder' Liger at the March 25th New Japan Pro Wrestling event but has been replaced by Will Ospreay. Since then, the speculations have just become stronger.
Ever since Mysterio made his first WWE appearance in years at the Royal Rumble two months ago, the fans are eagerly waiting for 'The Master of the 619' to come back on a full-time basis.
Mysterio is possibly in the best shape of his life, and with the influx of new talent in WWE, a plethora of dream matches are possible involving Mysterio.
#2 Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley was a huge name in WWE in the 2000s. He was Vince McMahon's chosen one and, was crowned with the United States Championship soon after his debut. He had a great run in ECW and, is a two-time ECW Champion. He was scheduled for a big push as the face of the company, but the lack of creative booking had him released in 2008.
Bobby Lashley is one of the most physically gifted wrestlers in the history of WWE. Built at 245 lbs, he is a perfect combination of strength and speed. He has drastically improved his in-ring work after spending years on the Independent Circuit.
Rumors have been flying around for weeks that Lashley's return to WWE is almost certain. If this happens, there are a plethora of options 'The Dominator' can work with.
Roman Reigns is expected to win the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34. Imagine him boasting about his success on the Raw after Mania, and getting interrupted by the theme "Unstoppable". The WWE Universe would be absolutely ecstatic.
#1 Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho is the hottest free agent in the wrestling world today. Even at 48 years old, he can still give wrestlers half his age a run for their money. Jericho is the only wrestler who competed at both WrestleMania 33 and the Wrestle Kingdom 12, the two biggest shows in professional wrestling.
It's been close to a year since Jericho had a full-time contract with WWE. He only had a backstage segment at RAW 25. Jericho is currently on tour with his band, Fozzy. His show on April 8th coincides with the date of WrestleMania 34, which gives him the occasion to return to WWE on Monday Night Raw.
The WWE Universe will love to see 'The Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla' back in the company, even on a part-time basis. He is one of the most loved performers of all time, and his returns come with plenty of hype and excitement. His last run with the company was one of his best, and WWE would surely want to capitalize the opportunity on Y2J.
