WrestleMania 41 is around the corner, and the WWE Universe is eagerly anticipating who could show up on the Grandest Stage of Them All. Traditionally, WrestleMania is full of surprises, and is full of unexpected names arriving at the big stage. This often means that celebrities may appear in the crowd, or even a segment in the ring or backstage.

Alternatively, though, it means that WWE could bring to WrestleMania an unexpected wrestling name from the past. Anything can happen at the Super Bowl of professional wrestling, and the most surprising moments come from wrestlers making a long-awaited or surprising return. WrestleMania 41 has set the stage for a bevy of potential returns, both from wrestlers who have been absent from television for months, if not years. This includes wrestlers who have been away due to injury, or legends of the past who could re-enter the wrestling ring when audiences least expect it.

10 Rusev

AEW's Miro Returns to WWE

After spending years in All Elite Wrestling, hoping that the grass would be greener on the other side, Rusev is coming back to WWE. While his time as Miro proved fruitful, most notably in winning the TNT Championship under his God's Favorite Champion moniker, his sporadic appearances and sudden absence from television prompted him to ask for his release in 2024, finally granted in 2025. All reports suggest that Rusev has already signed back with WWE.

If this is all true, then it isn't a matter of if the former United States Champion will be back, but when. There are few better or bigger opportunities to pull that trigger than at the Show of Shows. WrestleMania 41 is rife with opportunities for a return, especially now that Randy Orton is in search of a new opponent. Orton could rekindle his past rivalry with Rusev in time for a Mania match.

9 Aleister Black

Another AEW Flop Heads for a WWE Return

The former Malakai Black was in a similar predicament to Miro when he left WWE for AEW. Initially, his future seemed promising after not one, but two decisive victories over the leading face of the AEW brand, Cody Rhodes, upon his debut. In the coming years, Black's marquee appearances would be watered down to trios competition, and most of his singles bouts would be in losing efforts. The Dutch native reportedly opted not to renew his AEW contract when it expired last February.

Not long after, mysterious vignettes seemingly ticking down a countdown that trickles down with each week WWE gets closer to WrestleMania 41. Most speculate that these vignettes signal Aleister Black's return, and if these mystery promos are truly a countdown, don't be surprised if the lights go out for Black to pop out of the darkness at Mania.

8 Becky Lynch

The WWE Universe Speculates Retirement for Lynch

Becky Lynch was last seen on television losing to Liv Morgan in a Steel Cage match for the Women's World Championship on Monday Night Raw. This prompted a hiatus from The Man that some of the WWE Universe are speculating could be a retirement. Lynch has largely debunked such rumors of retirement, but an appearance on the Ultimate Improv Show a few days ago has led some to digest Lynch's words as a sign that she's decided to hang up her boots.

It’s WrestleMania season, isn’t it now? Look, I’m not wrestling anymore. Maybe one day, but not right now. Thank you very much. But my husband is!

Without confirming or denying her status exactly, Lynch's status for Mania and wrestling in general remains up in the air. However, as she mentions, her husband is competing in the main event of WrestleMania. CM Punk has mentioned Lynch in his feud with Seth Rollins, opening the door for an appearance from her in some fashion during the triple threat main event of Night 1.

7 Big E

Unfinished Business With The New Day

This is wishful thinking, at least when it comes to the possibility of Big E appearing in a wrestling capacity. His neck injury has kept him out of action for just over three years now, and as the clock prolongs further and further, the more it looks unlikely that he will wrestle again. However, the last time that Big E was seen in a wrestling ring was in celebration of The New Day's 10-year anniversary segment, one where Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston publicly ousted the former WWE Champion from the group.

With Woods and Kingston challenging the War Raiders for the World Tag Team Titles, Big E could still make his presence known in a non-wrestling capacity. This could manifest through distracting the New Day or, in classic wrestling fashion, turning heel to edge them toward a win for a Mania-style reunion.

6 Omos

Overdue for a WWE Return

Omos has not been seen on WWE TV since the April 5th, 2024, episode of Friday Night SmackDown, failing to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. After nearly a year away from the ring altogether, last January saw him go on an excursion to Japan to WWE's partner, NOAH, where he became a member of the Team 2000X stable and became Tag Team Champion. His brief run in the company was critically acclaimed, showing vast improvements as a wrestler before WWE brought him back to America.

Three months later, WWE has yet to let Omos appear or wrestle a single match. It would be odd for WWE to end his excursion and not use him, so one has to assume that there is something major in the cards planned for Omos. If that's the case, then there are few bigger ways to set Omos up to be a major attraction than a WrestleMania return.

5 Ilja Dragunov

A WWE Return Is Imminent

The former NXT Champion was called up to the main roster after last year's WrestleMania, and was quickly pegged to become Raw's next breakout star. Unfortunately, just before such a breakout could occur, he suffered an injury at a September house show match against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. It was an ACL tear, reportedly putting him on the shelf for 6–9 months. This gave Ilja Dragunov a timetable to return either in time for WrestleMania 41 or just after.

If the Mad Dragon is lucky, then he could get a thunderous return in front of thousands upon thousands that would set him up for success going into WWE's next calendar year, perhaps interfering in the Intercontinental Championship match to reignite his long rivalry with Bron Breakker. Time is running out to either place him on the card or schedule him for a segment, but again, anything can happen on the grandest stage.

4 Kabuki Warriors

Kairi Sane and Asuka are Ready for a WWE Return

Damage CTRL has been struck by bad luck over the course of the last year. After losing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship to Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair, Asuka announced she was dealing with a knee injury that would put her on the shelf for the foreseeable future. More recently, as of last January, Kairi Sane suffered an injury of her own, tearing a ligament in her thumb, which would take her out of action. Mere days ago, Kairi professed feeling "stronger than ever," while there have been reports suggesting that Asuka is cleared to return.

This is perfect for WrestleMania, as their Damage CTRL leader Iyo Sky is defending her World Title at the pinnacle of sports entertainment. Even if they're not ready for actual physical , they could simply escort her to the ring, much like they did last year.

3 Tonga Loa

His WWE Return Timetable Aligns With Mania Season

Not long after last year's WrestleMania, Tonga Loa (formerly known as Camacho) returned to WWE to his brother Tama Tonga and indirect cousin Solo Sikoa in the new Bloodline. The Guerillas of Destiny would end up becoming WWE Tag Team Champions, but Tonga's trajectory soon went south after losing the titles to the Motor City Machine Guns. During the WarGames match at Survivor Series, Tonga Loa suffered a torn bicep that was reported to take him out of action for 7-8 weeks.

That was in November, and the 7-8 week timetable has long elapsed. If Tonga Loa is ready to compete, he could return at WrestleMania, ideally to help Bloodline member Jacob Fatu capture the U.S. title from LA Knight, or even help Solo Sikoa in his teased match with Randy Orton.

2 Goldberg

Has Guaranteed a WWE Return

Not many fans have Goldberg returning to the ring on their Bingo card for WrestleMania 41, the year 2025, or ever, quite frankly. Following his retirement run from years ago, the prospect of returning once again sounds unlikely for many fans. However, heading into 2025, Bill Goldberg has professed a desire to come out of retirement, and in late 2024, WWE outright confirmed that it would happen in 2025. The timing is especially interesting when ing the interaction that Goldberg had last year with World Heavyweight Champion Gunther.

For WrestleMania 41, Gunther already has a title match, defending against Jey Uso, but that doesn't mean that Goldberg can't make an appearance to set up a future match. If Goldberg doesn't settle on being a spectator for the match in the crowd, one perhaps can expect a Spear and a Jackhammer combo with Gunther's name on it to steer Jey toward a win.

1 Stone Cold Steve Austin

Could Austin Help Cody Rhodes Save WWE?

Some readers will recall that last year, Stone Cold Steve Austin was close to being one of many run-ins for WrestleMania 40's main event between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, but prior commitments to his wife squashed any internal talks he had with WWE. This year, some are against the idea, there's enough of a story there that makes the prospect feasible.

John Cena promised if he wins, he's going to "ruin" professional wrestling. Rhodes may not be enough to defeat Cena, but with the fate of WWE and professional wrestling as a whole on the line, WrestleMania's biggest star could return to give the brand's current face a helping hand, with a Stunner to boot.