Bringing Back Personalities From Wrestling Past

[Luke Flywalker]

No, I don't mean this current Jericho shtick. I just saw in another thread that people mentioned Austin and Rock returns and blah blah.

Would you accept and/or believe a Stone Cold or Rock return?

Without a doubt in my mind, NOBODY would not enjoy seeing these two back in the ring. And you cant say they're forgotten and unknown amongst today's fans.

Would you like to see them back in the ring "full time"? Do you think they would have the same reactions from before if they returned for good? Would it ruin current gimmicks like Cena?

I read recently that Austin felt healthy and wouldn't mind giving WWE a run for a year, and last I heard, they were considering. I don't know if that's changed or anything, but I'd personally LOVE to see Austin back on TV.

Would he have to be a wrestler though? Could he come back as sheriff or is that gimmick stale to you now that it's happened twice? What's your take?

 

[Great One]

Yeah, it would certainly be awesome to have either of the two back, doing anything, I don't really care. I said before that I'm pretty certain Austin will return in a fairly full-time role this year. I also wouldn't really consider Cena a gimmick anymore, he pretty much his own character at this point. Although, I do believe if The Rock (probably not Austin) was to return full time, he would certainly and undoubtedly bury any mic work Cena has ever done has a face. =/

 

[noumenon]

I think Austin is both more and less likely to ever try and make a WWE return.....huh?
What I mean is that he obviously still has love for the wrestling business, he still does cameos and special appearances...and I believe he is still under contract with WWE. However, Austin's body is shot and I don't believe it would allow him to make more than a short program run or one more big match.
The Rock on the other hand left the business completely healthy and doesn't seem to have any desire to ever lace up the boots again. I think "Dwayne" always had it in mind to use wrestling as a stepping stone to reach for something bigger.
As far was which one is more missed by the fans I would definately have to say The Rock since he's been so completely departed from the business for so long.
There are still some feuds that make my mouth water though involving these guys and people like Orton, Edge and Cena.

 

[Airfixx]

Not interested in a return to the ring by Austin. The guy waddles when he walks now (well, far worse than he ever did when still active!).

As for The Rock, hell yeah (pardon the pun!)... He's pressumably still in good shape so why not?

I'd say a lot of the new guys would hold their own in terms of in-ring work against either and as for the mic, well, Rock was pretty special when it came to the stick so in terms of ability I doubt they have anyone right now that can exceed him in terms of pure skills, but I must admit, if he came out and kicked it like he did in 99-02(*) I don't think it'd immediately click with today's product... Either Rock or WWE would need to adjust somewhat before similar heights were reached.

(*Whilst no less entertaining, he wasn't quite so 'larger than life' when he came back in 2003.)

 

[noumenon]

My question is after all of this time would Dwayne be able to pull off The Rock character again...or would he treat it more as a novelty as he did at last year's HOF...where he seemed even a bit tentative to drop a few catchphrases.

 

[straight_edge76]

The only one that has any possibility of a serious return is Austin. He still I believe has a passion for the WWE. The R...rather Dwane Johnson has left it behind and hasn't looked back. Really why would he want to? He is making roughly the same amount of money making family friendly movies like "The Game Plan" as he was battling Triple H. He still appears to be in as good of shape as ever. He is imo 99$% never coming back to the WWE or Wrestling in general. I believe that dropping "The Rock" monicker was symbolic; he moved on so all of us in the IWC should as well.

I could see Austin making a comeback, not so much as a active wrestler but possibly as a announcer or other type of on air talent such as a General Manager or the like. He still has a passion for the biz and I would bet that if he didn't have so many injuries we wouldn't be talking about John Cena, it would still be the age of 3:16 and Cena would still be a Vanilla-Ice wannabe midcarder. And the Hardys would still be ladder match spot monkeys feuding with Mizorrison. But he had those few injuries and we all must learn to live with it.

I mean think about it, its a new era in the WWE as much as I loved The Rock and Austin I have lived to accept the fact that their time has come and gone. The Attitude era is gone and likely will never return but we must cope with it by the pure memories of yesteryear. In 5-10 years I am sure we will all be thinking "I wonder if Orton or Punk would ever make a comeback?"But there will be another brand of stars wowing us. People like Cody Rhodes and Priceless.

 

[noumenon]

The same? You kidding me? Dwayne's movie paychecks are making his wrestling paychecks look like he worked in McDonalds.

I find it funny that he went ahead and got that big Samoan shoulder/chest piece tattoo and they cover it up in almost ever movie he's in.

 

[MikeRaw]

As for "would we believe it?" Well sure, why not. If he's on TV, it's obviously fr a reason, and they would obviously try to fit him into a good storyline.
But honestly, I think full time is both ot of the question and not needed. I would like a short term return though from either of them, preferrably Rock (it's been longer since we've seen him), and allow them to actually do a feud, instead of just a one-off.
A feud with like Legacy or something, like a one month thing, would be great for either of them.

 

[LKP]

Id use the rock, stone cold and people like that as cameo roles. Austin more than rock cause he is under contract at wwe. Id have Austin not as a gm type but coming out randomly on shows attacking, stunning or giving advice to wwe guys. Maybe the odd feud here and there but light on the Austin body slamming. Austin can do a few matches without taking a slam or anything to damage his neck. The rock wont come back if he does it maybe wm25 for a promo on titan tron or something.

 

[straight_edge76]

I think Austin would make a funny announcer haha I could imagine all of the wise cracks he could make....

 

[Luke Flywalker]

You all can use others. I just said those 2 because I saw their names in another thread, and know people still want Rock vs. Austin IV.

BTW, this is kinda off-subject, but someone mentioned Rock leaving it behind completely: they still promote his movies mid-show on all brands, and they've got nothing to do with him contractually. Does anyone find that odd?