WrestleMania won't smell what The Rock is cooking, but there are several replacements the WWE can institute.
While the debate of whether or not it's fair for part-time Superstars to return for WrestleMania and take up spots from other competitors that work all year round will always rage on, it seems the WWE will always put on its biggest show of the year with help from some legends.
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With WrestleMania coming to Texas at AT&T Stadium on April 3, the WWE is planning to pull out all the stops in hopes of setting a brand new attendance record. In order to do that, it will need some big names on the marquee. Judging by the RAW ratings lately, those names may have to come from the past.
It was rumored that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wouldn't be able to compete, and it has been confirmed that he will film "Baywatch" in March and April 2016, leaving him out as far as wrestling goes, according to Savannah Now. Though The Rock may make a cameo, the WWE may need some other legends to step up in his absence.
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Here are some possible replacements for The Rock that the WWE can put in a high-profile match.
1) "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
The hype for Austin wrestling a potential return match has ratcheted up a lot lately and the "Texas Rattlesnake" only furthered the storm when he and Paul Heyman teased a potential bout with Brock Lesnar. While Austin has called any involvement in WrestleMania a "bulls--t rumor" on social media, it would make sense for him to wrestle his first match since 2003 in his home state of Texas to have the type of send-off he deserves.
2) Bill Goldberg
The former WWE and WCW Heavyweight Champion's return is unlikely, but anything can happen in the WWE. Goldberg has had a tumultuous past with Triple H and Vince McMahon, and has even gone as far as to say that he didn't like his time in the WWE in 2003-04. Talks to bring Goldberg back for WrestleMania XXX stalled out, but perhaps the WWE can offer him some big money to come back.
3) Sting
"The Vigilante's" only WrestleMania moment thus far is a loss to Triple H in a match that fans thought they'd never see. A battle with The Undertaker has always been there for the taking, but for some reason the WWE hasn't pulled the trigger. With Sting getting hurt at Night of Champions, there's no telling if he'll be ready in time for WrestleMania, or if the WWE has interest in bringing him back. However, if the stars align, the WWE has one more shot to have Sting face The Undertaker, who is rumored to battle John Cena instead.
4) Hulk Hogan
"The Hulkster" deserved to be punished by the WWE for his terrible racist remarks, but the company has severed ties with him long enough. Hogan helped launch WrestleMania into the spectacle it is today, so he deserves a spot on the card. At age 62, however, it's unknown if he has anything left in him. Even just an appearance from the six-time WWE Champion would get the crowd going wild.
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