5 Stars WWE, Triple H Should Bring Back

WWE is in the midst of a major revamp, and the changes keep on coming.

Following the abrupt retirement of Vince McMahon last month, former WWE Champion Triple H has taken over as the head of the company’s creative team, and his impact has already been felt. At SummerSlam, former NXT stalwart Dakota Kai returned as part of a major stable alongside Bayley and Io Sky, and on last week’s SmackDown, Triple H also brought back former NXT Champion Karrion Kross, who was released last year after a short, controversial run on the main roster. In addition, Dexter Lumis, who was also previously let go by WWE, appeared on this week’s Raw.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Fightful Select (h/t WrestleZone) reports that “Triple H is expected to continue being aggressive and making big moves in WWE.” Following the re-signing of Kross and Kai, the report adds, “Numerous other superstars have been ‘feeled out’ about making a return to the company and the feeling backstage is that Triple H is not letting up anytime soon and will continue to grow the roster to his liking.”

WWE’s roster—decimated by more than 80 money-saving releases last year—has struggled with major depth issues over the past couple of years, but thanks to Triple H, more help appears to be on the way. Here are five stars who “The Game” should bring back to WWE bolster Raw and SmackDown.

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Big Cass

Big Cass, a.k.a. W. Morrissey, is no longer with Impact Wrestling after his contract expired, and following a one-off appearance for AEW, WWE is reportedly interested in a return for the gargantuan superstar, who was released by the company following a series of “personal conduct issues” in 2018.

Once part of a wildly popular tag team alongside Enzo Amore, Cass has been open about his struggles with alcoholism and has completely reinvented himself since his WWE departure four years ago, making tremendous improvements to his physique, in-ring work and even his mic skills. While Cass fizzled out during his last WWE run, that stemmed largely from issues outside of the ring, and the obvious strides he’s made since then have positioned him for a potential WWE return.

What WWE currently lacks is a larger-than-life giant who has had a proven connection with the crowd and is athletic enough to work with smaller performers who have perfected the modern in-ring style. Cass fits that mold perfectly and would be a huge upgrade over Omos, Shanky and Commander Azizz in WWE’s big man department.

Zack Ryder

Despite some creative disappointments, Zack Ryder had his fair share of success during his run with WWE, including a run with the United States Championship, a main event storyline with John Cena and an Intercontinental title win at WrestleMania. Still, it felt like Ryder—who once ranked among WWE’s biggest fan favorites—didn’t get pushed quite to the level he should have been at.

Now, things are much different for Ryder, who has been a huge hit during his post WWE-run on the indies under his real name, Matt Cardona. He’s shed a lot of the more kid-friendly aspects of his gimmick to become a much edgier character and has firmly cemented himself as one of the most entertaining acts in all of pro wrestling outside of AEW and WWE. Ryder, who primarily works for NWA under the Cardona name, will return to the ring with NWA later this month but should be on WWE’s radar.

Ryder is open to a WWE return under his old moniker, has always had a strong connection with its fan base and now blends that perfect mix of edginess and charisma—not to mention a great look and an improved in-ring skill set—that could make him even more successful in WWE this time around, whether he’s Matt Cardona or Zack Ryder.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae

Since departing WWE last year, Johnny Gargano has yet to wrestle, and the common expectation is that it’s because he’s biding his time for either a WWE return or an AEW debut. Just a few months ago, an AEW debut would have been much more likely, but with Triple H taking over WWE creative and Gargano having had a boatload of success in NXT under Triple H’s guidance, WWE is clearly the better choice for Gargano at this stage of his career.

In AEW, Gargano would be one of dozens of superstars who thrives as a “workrate guy” who consistently delivers amazing matches. In WWE? He’d fit a need that hasn’t been filled since Daniel Bryan departed last year: A small and easy-to-like underdog who can win over fans with elite in-ring work and a never-say-die attitude.

WWE fans are already seeing that Triple H is putting a renewed focus on former NXT standouts, and that’s precisely what Gargano is. The same rings true for Candice LeRae, an underrated in-ring technician who may very well be a package deal with Gargano, her real-life husband. It remains to be seen if and when LeRae will wrestle again following the birth of her child, but she could be a huge asset to WWE’s suddenly growing women’s division.

By paving the way for the return of Gargano and LeRae, Triple H could knock out two birds with one stone, bolstering the upper midcard and women’s division in one fell swoop.

Bray Wyatt

Just this week, Bray Wyatt teased a potential jump to AEW or a return to WWE, but much like Gargano, the latter would undoubtedly be the better move.

After all, countless ex-WWE names have gone to AEW only to find out that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Just ask Miro. There are plenty of doubts about what kind of fit Wyatt would be in AEW, especially at a time when AEW’s roster is beyond overloaded with stars who can barely even get on TV. Wyatt, once the top merchandise seller in WWE, has a proven track record of success there, even if the booking of his characters, especially The Fiend, was all over the place at times.

With Triple H running WWE’s creative process, there is reason to believe that he would do a much better job of highlighting Wyatt’s strengths than McMahon ever did. Wyatt would also fit in well as a borderline main eventer—whether a babyface or heel—at a time when WWE is really struggling to keep things fresh in the upper midcard, and he could potentially produce intriguing feuds with stars like Edge, Bobby Lashley, Brock Lesnar, Cody Rhodes and other top stars in and out of the title scene.