5 Legends Who May Return For A Saudi Arabia WWE Show

The WWE will host their second event in Saudi Arabia on November 2nd, Crown Jewel. The main event: Roman Reigns defending the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar.

It was a shock when Lesnar marched out during the Hell in a Cell bout between Strowman and Reigns. As evident by his smaller physique, Lesnar is currently training for a UFC heavyweight title fight. The money offered for a one-off return in Saudi Arabia was enough to convince Lesnar to interrupt his fight camp.

The allure of that seven-figure payday persuaded another former WWE Champion to step back into the ring: Shawn Michaels.

After turning down multiple offers to return in the past nine years, it’s looking likely HBK will tune up the band at Crown Jewel. If the reports are to be believed, Michaels will reform D-Generation X with Triple H to tangle with The Brothers of Destruction – The Undertaker and Kane.

Many are disappointed that Michaels grand return is occurring on a hastily announced event and not at WrestleMania – where HBK initially retired. The Saudi Arabia shows are WWE’s priority now; they are more lucrative than even WrestleMania.

WWE want big names to justify the Saudi government's sizeable investment. For the Greatest Royal Rumble event, the Saudi Crown Prince apparently requested “Yokozuna and the Ultimate Warrior.”

Getting those two would be a bit tricky but here are five more legends that could be convinced to return to the ring for a future show in the oil-rich country.

#1: The Rock

Enter — The Rock hasn't wrestled an actual match since WM29

The last time The Rock had a proper one-on-one match (his 7 second bout against Erick Rowan doesn’t count), he tore his pelvis, causing delays on Johnson’s various projects which certainly didn’t please movie executives.

Since then, The Rock has kept his appearances strictly out-of-the-ring. However, if Rock wanted to get back in the ring, no pencil pusher in Hollywood is going to stop him.

There are a plethora of opponents for ‘The Great One’ to tangle with: The most obvious being a matchup against his cousin and current top star, Roman Reigns. The match could serve as another ‘passing of the torch’ moment. Rock and Triple H still have unfinished business after Rock and Ronda Rousey embarrassed Hunter and his wife Stephanie at WrestleMania 31 in 2015. Let’s not also forget, Rock and John Cena are still tied at one-apiece.

While these matches may happen one day, The Rock would want them to take place on the largest stage possible, WrestleMania.

While Rock would make more cash if he were to compete on a Saudi event, ‘The People’s Champion’ is not motivated by money, he’s already made enough in Hollywood. Only the prestige of WrestleMania could convince The Rock to “lay the smackdown” one more time

#2: Sting

Does Sting have one more left in the tank?

At the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame, Sting announced his retirement citing a neck injury he suffered in his last match against Seth Rollins. However, later that year on the WWE Network show Legends with JBL, Sting stated that he has put off neck surgery that would end his career as he still holds hope for a match with The Undertaker.

Fans have been clamouring to see this match for over twenty years. A Saudi event would be a big enough stage and would garner both men a massive payday.

If this dream match were to happen, it needs to happen soon, both Taker and Sting are in their 50’s. A bout between the two icons would require a lot of smoke and mirrors – i.e. much interference, stalling and so forth.

Another hurdle is WWE’s stringent medical policy. It took Daniel Bryan two years to get cleared by WWE’s doctors; it’s likely that they would not allow Sting to compete, ending any possibility of an Undertaker match

#3: Goldberg

Goldberg's 2016-17 return was a resounding success

To get back into wrestling shape for his 2016 return, the then-50-year-old Goldberg put himself through a brutal training regime. Would he go through that again? For the right amount.

Goldberg never grew up a wrestling fan. For him, the wrestling business is just that, a business.

As for whom Goldberg could wrestle, there are a plethora of opponents. The top choice would be fellow spear-thrower Roman Reigns. The two teased squaring off during Goldberg’s 2017 return.

As opposed to everywhere else in the world, Reigns is not mercilessly booed in Saudi Arabia. The crowd reaction for the match will go how WWE would want for once.

#4: Stone Cold Steve Austin

Austin has aged well — Austin has certainly aged well

Out of all the wrestlers listed in this article, Austin is the one who’s been away from the ring the longest. 'Stone Cold' hasn’t laced up the boots since WrestleMania 19, way back in March 2003.

Fifteen years later, Austin is still in great shape despite his age (53). Austin was scheduled to get back in the ring again in 2006 against Johnathan Coachman (no, really). ‘Stone Cold’ had to pull out of that match after sustaining an injury “pulling furniture.” After that debacle, no attempt has been made to get Austin out of retirement again

Austin’s brawling style means that ‘The Rattlesnake’ could still be the Stone Cold of old without risking injury.

Would Austin be interested in an in-ring return though? He seems content in his post-wrestling life, recording his popular podcast and filming the occasional movie or TV show. Wrestling is another lifetime for him.

It would have to be the right opponent – and the right amount of money to convince Austin to put on that leather vest again.

#5: Hulk Hogan

Hogan and WWE mended fences earlier this year — Hogan and WWE mended fences recently

Hogan was one of the names apparently requested by the Saudi royal family for the Greatest Royal Rumble. At the time, Hogan was still on the fringes of the company having been ousted years previously after racist remarks he made surfaced.

WWE and Hogan recently reconciled which makes the likelihood of the ‘Hulkster’ stepping into the ring in The Kingdom a certainty.

Don’t expect a lot from him though, Hogan’s body is ravaged from years of wrestling and heavy lifting. The last time he was in a ring was for a match against Sting in October 2011 for TNA.

Hogan would be the perfect surprise participant in next years Greatest Royal Rumble match (if WWE holds another one). As Hogan can’t take a bump to the outside, that means Hogan would have to be next year’s Greatest Rumble Champion! Brother!