Predicting WWE WrestleMania 39 Surprises amid Rumors and Nick Khan's Comments

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, will play host to WrestleMania 39 on Saturday and Sunday, and the advertised card promises to deliver a satisfying show for fans around the world.

WrestleMania is always ripe for surprises, though, meaning the WWE Universe is likely to be treated to much more than what they have been told thus far.

WWE CEO Nick Khan added fuel to the speculation Thursday during an interview with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on First Take (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News) when he said: "Expect a bunch of surprises. That's what we're known for, this is WrestleMania, we pulled some out at Royal Rumble. Here at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, two-night event, we have to make it big."

With WWE teasing some unexpected guests on the Grandest Stage of Them All, here are some potential surprises to keep in mind for WrestleMania 39.

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"Stone Cold" Steve Austin Stuns The Miz

One year ago, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin made his in-ring return after 19 years of retirement, defeating Kevin Owens in a No Holds Barred match.

Then, on Night 2 of WrestleMania 38, Austin made a surprise appearance by taking out Vince McMahon and Austin Theory with Stone Cold Stunners.

Unlike last year, Austin is not advertised to appear at WrestleMania 39, although WWE reportedly made some attempts to book him for the show.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of ThirstyForNews.com) reported that WWE offered Austin a WrestleMania match against Brock Lesnar, but he did not accept, resulting in Lesnar facing Omos instead.

WWE apparently hasn't given up on The Texas Rattlesnake being part of the show, as Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp (h/t H Jenkins of ThirstyForNews.com) reported that WWE made additional pitches.

If Austin does not want to have a match, an easy way to get him on the show and elicit some big pops from the fans would be for him to confront the WrestleMania 39 host in The Miz.

Over the past 15 years, there have been few better heels in WWE than The Miz thanks to his penchant for getting heat from the fans with his antics.

Fans typically love to see Miz get his comeuppance, and there would be no better way to make it happen at WrestleMania than for Austin to take him out and then throw back some beers.

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Lashley, Knight Have Impromptu Match

Thirteen matches have been announced for WrestleMania 39, but two notable names missing are Bobby Lashley and LA Knight.

All signs initially pointed toward Lashley having a WrestleMania match against Bray Wyatt after finishing his rivalry with Lesnar. Wyatt cut a couple of promos about Lashley, and The All Mighty responded, setting the stage for an eventual match.

Wyatt has disappeared from WWE programming in recent weeks, though, with Sapp reporting that Wyatt was out of action with an undisclosed "physical issue."

As for Knight, he has cut promos for the past several weeks about the importance of making him part of WrestleMania since it is being held in the L.A. area, which is his adopted hometown.

Knight is one of WWE's best and most charismatic heels, and he has been getting a ton of television time over the past several weeks, including picking up a win over Rey Mysterio on SmackDown.

As of now, Lashley and Knight are both scheduled for the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Friday's SmackDown, but not advertised for WrestleMania.

An easy way to get Lashley and Knight on the WrestleMania card would be to build an angle between them in the battle royal, perhaps with Knight eliminating Lashley to win.

Knight could then cut a braggadocious promo at WrestleMania with Lashley interrupting and getting back at Knight by beating him in a match.

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Gangrel Helps Edge During HIAC Match vs. Balor

In one of the most highly anticipated bouts on the WrestleMania 39 card, Edge and Finn Bálor will clash in a Hell in a Cell match on Night 2.

Edge formed The Judgment Day one year ago at WrestleMania 38, but he was eventually kicked out of the group when Bálor joined, and he has been waging war with his creation ever since.

It seems likely that the rivalry between Edge and The Judgment Day will finally come to an end at WrestleMania 39 in one of the most brutal match types possible.

During the build toward WrestleMania, Bálor has been teasing bringing out his demon character for Hell in a Cell, while Edge has been showing a darker side as well, alluding to his past as part of The Brood.

That may be intentional, as PWInsider (h/t Aidan Gibbons of Cultaholic) reported that WWE is planning to bring in former Brood leader Gangrel for WrestleMania weekend.

PWInsider noted that while it isn't known for sure how Gangrel would be used, it is likely he would get involved in the Hell in a Cell match in an attempt to help Edge.

The Brood helped get Edge's career off and running in 1998 and 1999, as he, Gangrel and Christian made up one of the most unique and memorable stables in WWE history.

If Gangrel shows up on the Grandest Stage of Them All, longtime fans will undoubtedly react favorably.

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