5 Superstars who are willing to return to WWE on only one condition

It is not uncommon for WWE Superstars to return to Vince McMahon’s company after an absence of several years.

Looking at the current RAW roster, Bobby Lashley and Rey Mysterio are among the high-profile superstars who have returned following lengthy absences. Over on SmackDown, the likes of Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal also rejoined WWE after receiving their releases.

Former full-time superstars are often asked in media interviews if they would consider working for the company again. While some have no plans to return, others are open to the idea if their demands are met.

In this listicle, let’s take a look at five superstars who are willing to return on one condition.

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#5 Ryback is willing to return if WWE gets sold

Ryback has made no secret that he is prepared to return to Vince McMahon's company if the latter is no longer in charge.

WWE has released more superstars than ever in 2021, leading to speculation that WWE President Nick Khan is balancing the books ahead of a sale. Khan recently clarified that McMahon is not actively trying to sell the promotion, but he is open to listening to any business opportunities.

Speaking on The Ryback Show, the former Intercontinental Champion said it would make sense to return to the same place where he made his name.

“I will be very open to going back to WWE if they are sold. I’ve always been very honest. If Vince is out of there and there’s new leadership, I will then be very interested in revisiting that, because that will be beneficial for me as a brand and as a performer going back to where I’m known from, where I built an audience that already knows me,” said Ryback.

Ryback left WWE in 2016 after rejecting a new contract with the company. The 40-year-old has gone on to create the Feed Me More Nutrition supplement line since his departure.

Although he has not wrestled since 2018, The Big Guy is looking to return to wrestling when he overcomes a long-term shoulder issue.

#4 Jon Moxley is willing to return if WWE pays him astronomical money

Jon Moxley has not held back in his criticisms of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon since he left the company in 2019.

The former Dean Ambrose was among the most successful superstars during his six-and-a-half-year run on WWE's main roster between November 2012 and April 2019. However, he disagreed with a lot of backstage decisions that were made during that time, especially regarding his scripted promos.

Writing in his book MOX, the one-time WWE Champion said he would consider returning to the WrestleMania stage if he received an “astronomical” financial offer. He would also want more creative control of his character.

“I’ll probably never perform at WrestleMania itself again. If I did, you would know I got paid an absolutely astronomical amount of money and been granted unprecedented creative control. There’s really no need to,” Moxley wrote.

Moxley, whose most notable WrestleMania match ended in defeat against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 32, is unlikely to return to WWE in the near future. The 36-year-old signed with AEW in 2019 and has since gone on to become one of the company’s top stars.

The ex-Shield member added in his book that Vince McMahon has “lost his magic” when it comes to creating storylines. He also raised doubts about Shane McMahon and Triple H’s ability to replace the WWE Chairman.

#3 Santino Marella is willing to return to WWE using his real name

The man behind the Santino Marella gimmick, Anthony Carelli, is open to working for WWE again as a commentator.

Carelli performed for WWE as an in-ring competitor between 2005 and 2016. The 47-year-old, who is considered to be one of the greatest comedy characters of all time, is a two-time Intercontinental Champion. He also won the United States Championship and Tag Team Championship.

Speaking on Off Topic in 2020, Carelli made it clear that he wants to become a full-time announcer for WWE or another company.

“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,” Carelli said.

Carelli also said in the interview that Vince McMahon has always been receptive to his ideas. He added that the 76-year-old is “everything you should want to be” as a businessman and person.

#2 Ronda Rousey is willing to return to WWE on a part-time schedule

Ronda Rousey would like to return to WWE one day, but she will never work for the company again as a full-time in-ring competitor.

According to Cagematch.net, the UFC Hall of Famer competed in 70 matches between April 2018 and April 2019. Only 30 of those matches took place on WWE television, while the other 40 occurred at untelevised events.

Rousey said on Steve-O’s Wild Ride in 2020 that she did not feel appreciated by WWE fans during her one-year run. As a result, she does not want to put herself through a full-time schedule again.

“If I ever do go back, it will never be in a full-time capacity ever again. I think for stints, like chunks of time… I’m very much an obsessive person where I’ll obsess over something for a period of time and then kind of take some time to obsess about something else. But no, I’ll never be full-time again,” Rousey said.

Rousey’s most recent WWE match came in the main event of WrestleMania 35 in 2019. Becky Lynch defeated both Rousey and Charlotte Flair to win the RAW Women’s Championship and SmackDown Women’s Championship.

In September 2021, The Baddest Woman on the Planet gave birth to her first child with Travis Browne, La’akea Makalapuaokalanipõ Browne.

#1 The Rock is willing to return to WWE if the storyline makes sense

Given The Rock's Hollywood superstardom, it's no surprise that he only wants to return to WWE if he is involved in a compelling storyline.

The eight-time WWE Champion has repeatedly stated in recent years that he is prepared to compete in one more match. He even said on his YouTube channel in 2020 that he would happily lose against his real-life cousin, current Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

Speaking to ComicBook.com, the 49-year-old stressed the importance of the storyline making sense if he returns to the ring.

“I don't know if I have another title run, considering I'm the People's Champion, but I don't know if it's another title run. I think possibly, you know, there might be another match down the road. It would have to make sense,” The Rock said.

The Rock has not competed in a WWE match since WrestleMania 32 in 2016, where he defeated Erick Rowan in six seconds.

Prior to that, his last advertised match ended in defeat against John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania 29 in 2013. The match is best remembered for The Great One suffering a pelvis injury in the early stages of the 24-minute encounter.