The WWE has been struggling with their ratings since the start of the NFL season and it will continue until Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017. The latest rumors suggest that the WWE plans to bring back several former superstars at the 2017 Royal Rumble to help boost ratings.
Monday Night Raw had its lowest ratings in the past two decades late last month and the WWE had to rely on their top female superstars like Charlotte and Sasha Banks. They also brought back Bill Goldberg and the 49-year-old legend helped spike the ratings up two weeks ago, per F4WOnline.
The WWE will be bringing Goldberg back this Monday on Raw as they hope to bring in more viewers before his big match against Brock Lesnar at the Survivor Series on November 20. The main problem for Vince McMahon's company is the storylines are not compelling enough for fans to tune in and watch.
Nevertheless, the WWE will only continue to lose viewers if they do not improve their product and rehash stuff on TV. For the meantime, the current plan to boost the ratings is to bring back former WWE superstars, possibly at the Royal Rumble next year.
According to Forbes, the WWE continues to negotiate a deal with Shawn Michaels, who has been retired since 2010. There are several rumors that Michaels will face A.J. Styles at the Royal Rumble. The dream match between the two superstars has the appeal to many which might sell out the event to be held in San Antonio, Texas.
On the other hand, Kurt Angle and Bubba Ray Dudley are also rumored to be returning sometime next year. Angle has been looking to make his WWE return and get some closure. The report noted that the WWE is already planning a surprise return for the Olympic hero next year.
As for Bubba Ray, he is currently taking independent bookings but he has already been teasing a return at the Rumble. There is talks backstage that he will be coming back as a singles star with his Bully Ray character from TNA Wrestling.
Additionally, Bubba Ray will reportedly be assigned to SmackDown Live and be one of the top heels on the show. But it should be noted that these are just rumors and nothing has been confirmed. Check out the video below to see Angle's return from injury back in 2003.