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The shelf life of a WWE Superstar isn't a long one. Many stars are lucky enough to remain with the company for more than a decade, while others are only able to make an impact fo a handful of years.
Once Superstars are released from the company or opt to retire from the business, they then find it hard to be able to continue without wrestling in their lives.
Of course, many stars have come through the company in the past and have been able to continue their careers outside of WWE. However, there are others who are still looking for a way to make their return.
Here are just five Superstars who have recently made it public knowledge that they would like to return to WWE.
#5. WWE Hall of Famer Lita
Lita is a former four-time WWE Champion and someone who has inspired many women to pursue a career in the business. Despite retiring back in 2006, Lita has made several returns to WWE and could be looking to return one more time.
While speaking to Corey Graves on WWE's After The Bell podcast back in July, the Hall of Famer revealed that she would be open to a WWE return if the company came calling.
“I’m down. I can’t say that if I was never in the ring again that something is missing from me, but I think that it would be a fun opportunity and a good short-term goal, and just something to add to the resume. But you guys don’t need me, like, everybody is doing awesome there. So I can get by just watching how great everybody’s doing. But if the stars aligned, I could be down.”
Lita has made a lot of history in WWE over the years and a return would open the door to a number of dream matches for the current Women's Division.
#4. Former WWE Champion The Rock
The Rock may be one of the most famous former WWE stars in the world. He has an impressive movie career at present, but that doesn't mean that Dwayne Johnson has forgotten where he came from.
The Rock has always been loyal to WWE and over the years, he has made a number of memorable returns, which could be why he's open to making another return. But if he does return this time, it will be so that he can be part of an interesting match.
As part of an Instagram Q&A back in April, The Rock revealed that a match against Roman Reigns could be possible in the near future.
‘Rock, Roman Reigns, is it possible? Yeah, I think anything is possible, sure. Of course. I’m always open, and that’s the cool thing about professional wrestling is that there is an adaptability to wrestling. And you know, you never say never in the world of pro wrestling. ‘And you never say never with Vince McMahon, who you know, has been one of my mentors in the business for a long time. And a very, very close friend and confidant. So yeah, you never say no.’
The Rock hasn't wrestled in WWE since WrestleMania 32, so a return match would be long overdue.
#3. Former WWE Superstar Eva Marie
Eva Marie did not win any Championships during her short stint with the company, but she is certainly memorable to the WWE Universe. The former Total Divas star came through the 2013 Diva Search and was placed on the main roster before she was given time to hone her an in-ring talent.
Marie didn't make much of an impact on her return to the main roster and left the company back in 2016 even though she wasn't released until a while afterward. Marie has since gone on to pursue a career in the acting world since she shares the same agent as WWE megastar The Rock.
Despite it being a while since Marie stepped between the ropes, she seems to be looking to make a return after talking up a number of feuds on Twitter.
Marie spoke with Jim Alexander earlier this year where she revealed that she would be open to making a return because she had some "unfinished business."
"I am just so thankful to that company and feel I have some unfinished business (if you know what I'm saying). I have no problem and see myself coming back to WWE. Stirring it up a little bit."
WWE's women's division could do a with a little more depth. If Eva Marie does decide to return, she could fit seamlessly on either roster.
#2. Former WWE Intercontiental Champion Santino Marella
Santino Marella made his debut out of the crowd as part of a WWE event in Italy and defeated Umaga for the Intercontinental Championship.
This was easily the biggest highlight of his WWE career. He later became a comedy character who is best remembered for his "Cobra" that he would often pull out on unsuspecting opponents.
Marella was released from WWE back in 2016 and went on to open his own training school.
Marella has since returned as his alter-ego, but speaking earlier this month, the former star revealed that he would be open to making a return to the company as a commentator.
“I do want to go back into the business but as a commentator. I would have to be Anthony Carelli because I don’t want to do commentary as Santino. I think there are going to be opportunities for me post-COVID with one of the major companies. I always want to go to WWE first because they changed my life and I’m loyal, but if they don’t have an opportunity, I’ll go somewhere else.”
Wade Barrett recently returned to WWE as a commentator on NXT and this could open the door to Marella in the future.
#1. Former WWE Women's Champion Melina
Former five-time Women's Champion Melina has made headlines over the past few days since PWinsider revealed that she had signed a contract with WWE.
Melina was fired from the company back in 2011 and didn't appear in WWE until The RAW Reunion show in July 2019 when she helped Candice Michelle to become 24/7 Champion.
Despite this, rumors circulated that Melina had been re-signed by WWE, which forced the star herself to speak out and state that this wasn't true. She took to Facebook to clarify that she hadn't signed with WWE:
This makes my heart ache because I love my fans so much. I want you to realize that these sites that claim they know what’s happening don’t. How many times have they falsely reported things about me and said I am returning? You can’t believe them because they do not report real or correct news. They often twist things up to get clicks.
I AM NOT signed with the WWE. But that doesn’t mean it is not a possibility. My reason for this post is that it bothers me that these sites lie to fans. If I potentially get signed, don’t forgive them for lying to you. I know there are those that aren’t a fan of mine, but I still will care about them as I do my own fans. I don’t like when people lie to you and/or bring your hopes up. You deserve better than that. YOU should demand better than that. They think it’s ok to pull these stunts because you’ll still follow or click that link. You should follow sites that don’t treat you like you’re stupid and do not lie to you. It seems like a lot of wrestling news sites do that though.
I don’t know what my future will hold but I know 2020 has taken so much from me. From all of us. Going back home to the WWE would feel like everything I’ve gone through was for this very moment. But we don’t know what’s going to happen.
There’s so much more than just give someone a contract. I lost my father last month, am I emotionally ready? I’m 41, am I physically capable? Is there a story available? Simply talking to the wwe makes my heart happy. I am grateful for my time with them. One day I’ll come home but when the time is right. So if it doesn’t happen now, Im sorry you thought I was returning. If it does happen... well these sites ruined a great surprise. You should be upset that they cheated you of that moment if it happens.
If I don’t come back, it’s ok. My life is always about gratitude & positivity. Melina will always find & create happiness even when it seems like there is none. But If I return, I am going to put every bit of heart in it in honor of my father and every bit on my soul for the loyal fans who followed all these years, standing by me through the good and the bad. I love you all so much. Never forget that. Please stay safe.
While claiming that she hadn't signed with WWE, she also made it clear that there was a possibility that she could.
This means that Melina could make her return to WWE in the future, since she was one of the company's most unique talents for a number of years. It will be interesting to see if the former Champion does surface on SmackDown on RAW in the coming months.
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