Saudi Arabia Reportedly Poised to Pull Off the Most Star-Studded WrestleMania Ever — Legends Like Undertaker, Rock & Stone Cold Could Return
Reports now indicate that WrestleMania 43, scheduled for 2027, will mark history by taking place in Saudi Arabia. This would be the first time the WWE’s flagship event is held outside North America. Hints from Turki Al-Sheikh, the Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, have already fueled speculation, while industry outlets have confirmed that conversations are underway.
The Kingdom sees this as more than a sporting spectacle. WrestleMania 43 aligns with its 300-year anniversary celebrations, and officials want to secure it as the crown jewel of the festivities. Saudi Arabia has already hosted several high-profile WWE premium live events in the last decade, but WrestleMania is on another level entirely.
Saudi Plans For Legends To Return
This story is even more significant because Saudi Arabia is reportedly prepared to spend unprecedented amounts of money to lure retired legends back into the ring. Wrestling insiders have noted that officials are pushing hard to persuade some of the biggest names in WWE history to appear.
The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, and The Rock are among those being mentioned as potential targets. While financial compensation is unlikely to be a problem, the challenge lies in convincing these icons to take the risk and make at least one more in-ring return.
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Saudi Arabia is not merely hosting the show; it wants direct influence over the lineup. Reports suggest that officials are interested in specific dream matches involving Hall of Famers and veterans.
The prospect of The Undertaker facing Shawn Michaels one last time, or The Rock stepping into the ring with Austin, has inevitably sparked excitement, even though the logistics are complicated. Whether these legends agree to wrestle again remains uncertain, but the intent and money are very real.
Challenges That Could Stand In The Way
The vision sounds bold, yet executing it will not be easy. Several of the names being floated have been out of the ring for years and carry major physical risks if they return. The Undertaker has already been inducted into the Hall of Fame and has spoken about the toll wrestling took on his body.
Shawn Michaels has said in the past that his return in 2018 was a one-time situation. Steve Austin’s comeback at WrestleMania 38 was a special attraction but did not signal a long-term return. The Rock, meanwhile, has a Hollywood schedule that makes wrestling commitments extremely difficult.
Aside from health and personal choice, there are also contractual and creative logistics to navigate. WWE has to balance insurance, wellness requirements, and the integrity of its storylines. Fan expectations will be another major factor. If too much hype builds around “legend versus legend” encounters, the risk of disappointment rises if the matches cannot deliver the way they once did.
There is also the matter of global perception. WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has long been controversial due to political and human rights concerns. Hosting WrestleMania and bringing in legends of the business will place even more attention on that partnership. For some fans, the spectacle of legendary names returning could be overshadowed by the criticism surrounding the deal.
What This Means For WWE’s Future

If WrestleMania 43 does land in Saudi Arabia with legendary stars involved, the implications will be enormous. It would mark the first time WrestleMania officially leaves North America, cementing WWE’s global expansion as more than just an experiment. It would also prove that Saudi Arabia’s investment in sports entertainment is more ambitious than critics initially believed.
Nostalgia would play a central role in selling the show. For fans who grew up in the Attitude Era or early 2000s, the possibility of seeing figures like The Undertaker, Michaels, Austin, or The Rock back in action is almost irresistible.
Saudi Arabia has already shown with previous WWE events that it is willing to go above and beyond in production values, stage setups, and big-name surprises. If WrestleMania 43 is indeed designed as the biggest and most star-studded WrestleMania in history, the spectacle will likely rival anything WWE has done before.
Final Thoughts
At the same time, how WWE manages its legends at this event could set precedents for future eras. If icons are brought back in carefully managed roles, it could add prestige. However, if they are overused or placed in situations that diminish current talent, it may harm the product long-term. Fans want to see the stars of the past, but also expect WWE to build the future of its roster. Balancing nostalgia with progression will be crucial.
WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia has the potential to be the most ambitious and extravagant wrestling event ever staged. The money, the motivation, and the vision are all there. The only questions are whether the legends are willing, whether the company can deliver on its promises, and whether fans will embrace this global shift. Either way, the road to 2027 just became one of the most intriguing storylines WWE has ever had outside the ring.
