Saudi Arabia Wants HUGE Retired Legends Coming Out Of Retirement For WrestleMania 43 (WWE News)

The Wrestling Observer is reporting that paymasters in Saudi Arabia want to make 2027's WrestleMania 43 "the most star-studded show ever", and they'll stop at nothing to make it happen. Dave Meltzer told listeners tuning into Wrestling Observer Radio that "they have matches that they want and they’re working really, really hard to get - even though it’s a couple of years, I don’t know if they’re gonna be able to get them, but they’re gonna spend a lot of money to get what they want obviously".

Some of the names mentioned include WWE mega-stars like The Rock, Steve Austin, The Undertaker and even Shawn Michaels.

Rock arguably might be less difficult to do business with if the price is right, but Austin, 'Taker and Michaels are all retired. Yes, they have worked matches in recent years (more on that lower down the page), but none have expressed any wishes to get back in the ring in 2025 let alone 2027. This is ambitious from the Saudi Arabian money men, to say the least.

Meltzer's co-host Bryan Alvarez asked if that meant they wanted bouts like Austin vs. Rock and Undertaker vs. HBK. Meltzer replied to say he hasn't heard about any specific matches being pitched this far out, but assumed "all of those people will be contacted and the ones who wanna do it will be able to".

The Saudi organisers won't put up any barriers, put it that way. They want this to be the most dazzling, star-rich 'Mania experience yet, and they'll stop at nothing to make it reality. Some legacy names could be about to see the biggest paydays of their entire careers then.

There's Been Varying Success For Named Legends

All 4 of the legends names on WOR have worked special attraction matches for WWE within the last decade, but they've experienced varying levels of success in doing so. The Rock is the most recent example; he teamed with Roman Reigns to face Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on night 1 at WrestleMania 40 in 2024. That was his first match in 8 years.

Meanwhile, 'Stone Cold' shockingly returned to the ring for a brawl with Kevin Owens at 'Mania 38 in 2022. Not many saw that coming, because Austin hadn't hauled on his working boots since 2003 (vs. The Rock at 'Mania XIX), and had expressed hesitance about ever doing so again. However, the match proved to be a rip-roaring success, and there were calls for more Austin goodness immediately afterwards.

That has died down somewhat, but his fans argue that Steve could still dish out some Stunners and wrestle a few carefully laid out matches.

The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels are a little different. Several of 'Taker's final showings against Goldberg, Roman Reigns and more were disappointing, and they brought a clumsy curtain down on his iconic 30 year run. Thankfully, his inspired tag showing with Reigns vs. Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre back at Extreme Rules 2019 was much more satisfying, and people loved his barmy, cinematic 'Boneyard Match' vs. AJ Styles at 'Mania 36.

HBK's first match since a memorable 2010 retirement took place over in Saudi at Crown Jewel 2018. There, he was coaxed out of retirement to reunite DX with Triple H vs. Brothers Of Destruction duo 'Taker and Kane. It did not go well. In truth, the bout was an embarrassment for everyone involved, and it'd come to be a return that Shawn regretted.

He's since slotted in nicely as a member of WWE management, and currently runs the developmental NXT brand. That's a role he's suited to and seems happy with, so it'd be a huge surprise if he ever wrestled again. Money talks though.

Will Saudi money convince these legends to step back into the ring? Never say never.