After much anticipation, Mercedes Mone, the former WWE champion, finally made her highly-awaited debut in AEW at Big Business, receiving a warm welcome in her hometown of Boston.
With her star power, Mone’s decision to join Tony Khan’s AEW could potentially provide the Jacksonville-based promotion with a much-needed boost in its ongoing competition against WWE.
However, the burning question remains: How does WWE Executive Vice President, Triple H, plan to respond to this significant move?
As WrestleMania 40 looms on the horizon, speculation arises about potential legendary returns that could counter the buzz surrounding Mercedes Mone’s entrance into AEW. Let’s explore some compelling names that might tip the scales back in WWE’s favor:
#5 Dustin Rhodes: Supporting His Brother Cody at WrestleMania 40
Despite being an unexpected choice, Dustin Rhodes remains a captivating option. His memorable clash against his brother, Cody Rhodes, at Double or Nothing 2019 still resonates within the pro-wrestling community.
While Dustin’s AEW contract reportedly extends until later this year, hints of his interest in appearing at WrestleMania have surfaced.
Though contractual complexities exist, a cameo appearance at WrestleMania, if permitted by Tony Khan, could add an intriguing twist to Cody Rhodes’ narrative.
Throwback 📸: AJ Lee pic.twitter.com/ZF38Bcp9sT
— Covalent TV (@TheCovalentTV) February 9, 2024
#4 AJ Lee: A Possible Return to WWE
While CM Punk has indicated that AJ Lee’s return to wrestling is improbable, unforeseen developments are not unheard of. The return of Saraya (formerly known as Paige) once seemed implausible, yet she received medical clearance after an extended hiatus.
AJ Lee’s comeback could significantly benefit the stacked women’s division, leveraging her exceptional promo skills to enhance ongoing storylines and attract more viewers to the product, particularly amidst AEW’s momentum with significant comebacks.
#3 John Cena: A Potential WrestleMania 40 Appearance
John Cena’s burgeoning Hollywood career has limited his in-ring appearances, yet he often returns for special occasions to elevate emerging talents.
While nothing is confirmed, recent hints from Cena suggest a potential WrestleMania comeback. Fans eagerly await further developments in the coming weeks to see if Cena will indeed grace the grand stage of WrestleMania once more.
#2 CM Punk: A Long-Awaited WrestleMania Moment
Despite elusive opportunities, CM Punk’s desire for a WrestleMania main event persists. His recent Royal Rumble appearance reignited hopes, albeit briefly halted by an injury.
However, Punk’s relentless training hints at a possible return, and his presence at WrestleMania could overshadow even Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut.
Bonus: Aftermath of CM Punk’s loss at WrestleMania. The end of his run as a heel in WWE (Raw, Apr. 15, 2013) pic.twitter.com/BkZf6q9pfN
— Teffo (@Teffo_01) March 15, 2024
#1 Brock Lesnar: A Possible WrestleMania Return
Amidst controversies surrounding Vince McMahon and WWE, Brock Lesnar has maintained a low profile. However, recent reports hint at a potential return to action.
If Lesnar reemerges, WrestleMania would serve as the perfect stage for his explosive comeback, leveraging his immense star power to bolster WWE’s competitive edge against AEW.
Clearly, WWE possesses a plethora of options to counter its rival’s moves. Only time will reveal WWE’s strategic maneuvers in response to AEW’s latest acquisition, but anticipation runs high as fans await the next chapter in this ongoing wrestling saga.
