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To say that WrestleMania season is on in full swing would be an understatement. Various feuds and long-term storylines are all set to round off at the show of shows in New Orleans and fans are hoping that WWE will throw in a few surprises leading up to the PPV on April 8th.
There is no better surprise than an unannounced return and the company needs a handful of them to spice up the proceedings before Roman Reigns eventually wins the Universal Championship.
In this article, we take a look at the big-name superstars who can be on their way back to the company while also focusing on the ones who will probably be sitting on the sidelines this time around:
May return: Rey Mysterio
The growing murmurs of the legendary luchador returning for another run have picked up steam in recent weeks. From a potential match against John Cena to a part-time contract, with negotiations supposedly having kicked off with Triple H himself, the rumor mill has been relentless.
The hype generated from his Royal Rumble appearance has convinced the WWE of the former WWE Champion's value at the ripe old age of 43. Hopefully, WWE comes up with a more logical opponent for Mysterio and not the Cenation leader.
May not return: The Rock
Ronda Rousey's programme with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon might have given a glimmer of hope of The Rock's return, but it seems like the wait for an electrifying comeback is set to go on for the foreseeable future.
The 10-time WWE Champion is scheduled to begin shooting for the movie Jungle Cruise in May and as per the insurance policy of the film, he is barred from getting into the ring since it could possibly lead to an injury, causing further losses for the filmmakers in addition to the delay in filming.
For now, we probably just have to make do with Kurt Angle. In hindsight, a non-physical interference wouldn't injure the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, would it?
May return: Jeff Hardy
The great war between Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy has turned into the great depression. A feud that initially looked like a maniacal treat for the fans has outrun it's time and needs some Brother Nero!
Out of action since September due to a torn rotator cuff, Jeff Hardy has resumed training for an in-ring return and if all goes according to plan, then the Charismatic enigma could be back in time for WrestleMania.
Of course, he'd be back in his Woken brother's corner and as reported by Wrestling Observer, the powers that be are contemplating other major singles runs for the 3-time World Champion.
May not return: Dean Ambrose
An injury could be a blessing in disguise for the Lunatic Fringe as he would inarguably get one of the biggest pops in recent memory upon his return and will also shed off some of the staleness that his character was suffering from.
Sadly for Ambrose, a high-grade triceps tendon injury will keep him out action until September, which could also be seen as a much-needed time off for WWE's most earnest workhorse in the past 5 years.
The former WWE Champion's WrestleMania dreams may be dead in the water, but an early SummerSlam 2018 comeback could make up for his absence.
May return: Samoa Joe
The Samoan Submission Machine has been out of action since January owing to a foot injury he sustained in a match against Ryhno and as things stand, he is expected to return in mid-March.
Joe is said to be ready to return to the ring but the only thing holding WWE back is the WrestleMania plans for other top stars.
WWE is keeping the former NXT Champion as a backup opponent for either Braun Strowman or John Cena. With Cena all but confirmed to face The Undertaker, a gargantuan showdown between Joe and Strowman might happen at the show of shows.
May not return: Jason Jordan
Poor Jason Jordan. From not getting the right kind of heat from the fans despite sustained efforts, to missing WrestleMania due to a potentially serious neck injury, Kurt Angle Jr. just can't seem to catch a break.
Jordan was primed to face Seth Rollins at WrestleMania before a nagging neck injury forced the WWE to pull him from all future events. He was reportedly having issues with his grip, which is said to be an indication of a serious injury and while his WrestleMania aspirations may have extinguished, the former SmackDown and Raw tag team Champion is optimistic about making a splash post WrestleMania.
May return: Big Show
As things stand, Big Show is a free agent as his WWE contract expired in February 2018. However, we may not have seen the last of the World's Largest Athlete as Show himself confirmed to UPI that he will 'definitely be back by WrestleMania'.
Recovering from a hip surgery, Show has been training for his swan song at WrestleMania and has all intentions of turning 'please retire' chants into 'you still got it'.
WWE's plans for the 5-time World Champion are still not clear at the moment. There's always the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal though.
May not return: Neville
The former Cruiserweight Champion's status with the WWE is as murky as they come. WWE and Neville himself have ceased to address the situation ever since 'the man that gravity forgot' walked out on the company on a random episode of Raw.
Both parties, however, have been trying to mend fences and have been trying to work out a deal where he could come back into the fold after the current tournament (to crown a new champion) ends. Neville wants out and the only thing stopping him is WWE's contractual obligations.
We need the King of the Cruiserweights back but it may not happen by WrestleMania. It may never happen at all.
May return: Big Cass
Big Cass has the spotlight all to himself now that Enzo Amore is no longer part of the WWE. Initially deemed to miss WrestleMania, the formerly certified G has been making unimaginable progress in recuperating from a torn ACL and has been spotted working out at the Performance Centre as of late.
It should be noted that nothing is confirmed as of yet and WWE may hold off on the return just to be on the safer side. But they also have the Andre the Giant Battle Royal and the 7-foot giant could be the one lifting the pointless trophy this year.
May return: The Undertaker
It's Undertaker season again and as expected, WWE is playing coy regarding the return of the Deadman.
Cena's promo on Raw was a diversion to trick the fans into losing hope on the dream match and supposedly, the current plan is still to have Taker vs Cena headline the grandest spectacle of them all.
The Undertaker too played down rumors of facing the Cenation leader when he was posed the question at a recent appearance as part of Kane's Mayoral campaign in Knoxville.
He apparently told the fans not to hold up on the match and ended with a 'we'll see'. Of course, he won't reveal a surprise return! He does look in good shape too!
