Even though both WWE and AEW have packed active rosters, they have to rely on pro wrestling legends for a variety of reasons. Whether it is to attract the older audience, to pass the torch and establish a younger talent as a star, or even simply shake things up, legends are an integral part of the pro wrestling landscape.
So, who are five such individuals who are likely to step into a WWE or AEW ring this year? With both companies going on the road soon, they may call upon the bigwigs to mix it up with younger talents and make the product more exciting.
Whether it's AEW's use of Christian Cage and Sting or WWE making use of Edge and Trish Stratus (in the past), legends have a place in wrestling. Here are five stalwarts of the pro wrestling business likely to make a return in 2021.
#5 Kurt Angle could return to either WWE or AEW
Remember that video of Kurt Angle lacing up his boots from earlier in the year? Was that an indication that his pro wrestling days may not be over? We know that Kurt Angle was dissatisfied with his last WWE run, so that could be one of the places that he chooses to go. Maybe to cap his career off with a really solid run.
Alternatively, he could choose to go to AEW and mix it up with a whole new cast of characters and some familiar faces too. Kurt Angle is one of the greatest of all time, and if given a chance to remind the world how great he is, we're sure he'll deliver and then some.
Do you think another WWE run is ideal for Kurt Angle or will an AEW stint work better? Let us know in the comments.
#4 Paul Wight is likely to mix it up with the AEW roster
Who would have thought that Paul Wight could be such a massive AEW asset after being loyal to WWE for so long? But he's doing a phenomenal job behind the commentary desk, and that may not be all he does for the company, as the quote below proves.
Paul Wight has been very vocal about getting back in the ring, as revealed to Busted Open Radio.
“Itch? Man I need to dump myself into a vat of cortisone I’ve got the itch so bad,” said Paul Wight.
Considering he wrestled in WWE as recently as 2020, Paul Wight could certainly mix it up with the big guys on the AEW roster, be it Wardlow, Will Hobbs, or even Luchasaurus.
#3 Another former WWE Superstar, Mark Henry, could make his AEW in-ring debut soon
Yet another WWE loyalist, Mark Henry, has made his way to AEW and seems to be happier than ever, judging by his social media activity. He too has made it clear that his in-ring days may not be over.
In addition to the names mentioned as potential opponents for Paul Wight, several talents from the AEW roster could square off with Mark Henry. MJF could certainly be a worthy opponent, and so could someone like Sting, who never faced Henry. These two living legends could prove to the entire AEW fanbase that they still have it!
#2 Brock Lesnar is most certainly returning to WWE this year
Bryan Alvarez recently alluded to the WWE return of Brock Lesnar after Bobby Lashley, Kofi Kingston, and Drew McIntyre all mentioned him on RAW.
"When I heard that, I thought that they are building toward Lashley vs. Lesnar. That's a match that they haven't done. It is a match that people have been asking for a long time and maybe that’s their plan for SummerSlam. Maybe that is their plan for WrestleMania, etc.,'' said Alvarez.
While Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar may be the most likely route for the WWE Championship, considering the MMA pedigree of both men, the company could certainly go in several other directions. Brock Lesnar could even avenge his loss to Drew McIntyre or mix it up with someone from the SmackDown roster.
#1 Could Goldberg return for yet another WWE run?
Goldberg is most certainly going to return to WWE for another match in 2021. As revealed to Pop Culture, he is contracted until 2023 to wrestle two matches per year.
"I am contracted with the WWE for the next two years through 2022, '23. I've got two matches per year," Goldberg said.
WWE is going on the road very soon indeed, and SummerSlam may be a good time to bring Goldberg back. Hey, that big WrestleMania match with Roman Reigns never happened. There's no better time than now when Roman Reigns is at the top of his game as the WWE Universal Champion.