The WWE have about a month to prepare for the upcoming brand extension and the company is reportedly contacting several of its former talents. According to the latest rumors, the WWE have reached out to superstars such as Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio for a possible return.
The brand extension will require the WWE to split the main roster in two but it seems like they are having difficulty balancing them. The company wants to have the perfect blend of veteran performers, current superstars and stars of the "New Era."
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer took to Twitter to confirm the rumors that the WWE is indeed interested in signing former talents. However, he did not mention any names but noted that majority of the wrestlers are over 40 years old.
According to Forbes, some of the former superstars contacted by the WWE include Angle, Mysterio, Goldberg, Jeff Hardy, John Morrison, Carlito, Shelton Benjamin, Shad Gaspard and JTG. All of these superstars had an amicable split with the WWE, except Goldberg.
Angle has been sober for three years and he seems to be content in having a part-time role. He will be the perfect mentor for Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, more commonly known as American Alpha. All three men are great amateur wrestlers with Angle winning an Olympic Gold Medal in 1996.
On the other hand, Mysterio and Morrison are under contract with Lucha Underground while Benjamin has a deal with Pro Wrestling Noah. Hardy's contract with TNA Wrestling will expire later this year so his WWE return may be delayed.
As for Goldberg, he was recently featured in the WWE 2K17 video game and the discussions for his return might be in the works. Stars such as The Ultimate Warrior and Sting, who were featured on previous WWE 2K games, both appeared on WWE television afterwards.
Carlito, Gaspard and JTG all work at the independent circuit after their WWE releases. Carlito can give The Shining Stars a boost while Gaspard and JTG can reform Cryme Tyme and add depth to the tag team division.
According to Daily Wrestling News, Montel Vontavious Porter and Stevie Richards were also contacted for a possible return. MVP wrestled for NJPW and TNA after his WWE release while Richards started working for ROH last year.
Check out the video below for Angle's WWE debut at Survivor Series 1999.