The WWE brand extension will lead to the main roster splitting up and many top NXT stars getting called up. According to the latest rumors, several top officials are pushing the company to sign former WWE superstars to balance out the number of wrestlers on each roster.
SmackDown will need to have its own set of rosters when it goes live on the USA Network on July 19. The WWE Draft has not been officially announced but the rumored date of the event will either be on July 11 or July 18 episode of Monday Night Raw.
Besides the main roster being separated into two sets, the WWE will also raid NXT of its top talents. Some of the names that could make their way to the main roster include Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, American Alpha, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tye Dillinger, Austin Aries, Asuka and Bayley.
However, the WWE wants to balance out the rosters with the current superstars, the "New Era" stars and former WWE superstars, Wrestling Inc. reported. No names were given in the report but the WWE reached out to several former talents.
According to Daily Wrestling News, WWE chairman Vince McMahon recently showed interest on former Intercontinental champion John Morrison. McMahon reportedly wanted to know when his contract with Lucha Underground (LU) will be up.
Morrison now goes by the name Johnny Mundo in LU where he is currently the world champion. Other past WWE superstars that were rumored to be returning last year include Carlito, Kurt Angle, Matt and Jeff Hardy, and Rey Mysterio.
All the superstars mentioned in separate interviews that they are very open to working in the WWE again if given the chance. Carlito and Angle, in particular, are not signed to any big promotions and could instantly make an impact on the main roster.
Carlito can certainly help elevated Primo and Epico, The Shining Stars, in getting over the WWE universe. On the other hand, Angle was very interested in working with Chad Gable and Jason Jordan of American Alpha.
Gable and Jordan have a lot of similarities with Angle's former associates, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas, or popularly known as Team Angle. If ever both stars return to the WWE, it will be a big boost to the main roster.
Other former superstars who made it big outside the WWE include Mr. Kennedy, Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, Derrick Bateman and Mickie James. The WWE will also likely sign several top independent stars to replace NXT stars that will be called up.
Check out the video below for the top ten shocking WWE returns.