Projecting How WWE Legends Will Be Used at WrestleMania 32

At WrestleMania, pageantry is more important than any wrestling hold.

Part of that pageantry is the long list of big stars—both in and out of the wrestling genre—whose impact creates memorable moments.

WrestleMania is just as much of a wrestling pay-per-view as it is a showcase of WWE's rich history and contemporary social currency.

With WrestleMania 32 set to be the biggest of all time, WWE cannot pull any punches in booking the very legends that helped make the franchise an unrivaled juggernaut unto itself.

The Rock has already announced his involvement with WrestleMania, although his role is still largely unknown. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Marc Middleton of WrestlingInc.com) recently reported that WWE is still determining roles for Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels. A more recent update from Meltzer (h/t Middleton) said the same of Mick Foley.

WWE's blend of nostalgia with current feuds made its use of legends effective at WrestleMania 31. This year, it should employ a similar formula.

Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels has obvious ties to Triple H, and WWE has been surprisingly loyal about keeping him heel for the sake of continuity with the villainous Triple H character. At Hell in a Cell in 2013, Michaels screwed Daniel Bryan as a special guest referee in support of his best friend.

Last year at WrestleMania, Michaels nailed Sting with a superkick, which eventually led to a Triple H win that surprised many.

It wouldn't be a surprise if Michaels was involved in a Triple H storyline for yet another WrestleMania. In fact, Michaels has been involved in a Triple H match in three of the past four WrestleManias. With only two weeks left until the event, WWE could avoid elaborate storytelling by announcing Michaels will be by Triple H's side yet again.

Projection: Shawn Michaels is the special guest referee for Triple H vs. Roman Reigns.

Mick Foley 

Mick Foley made a cameo appearance on the March 14 edition of Raw to pass the "hardcore" torch to Dean Ambrose. This likely won't be the only time fans see the legend over the next few weeks. The problem is there isn't really an easy fit for Foley on this card. Even if he were to get involved in the Ambrose-Brock Lesnar match, it would be awkward considering he already passed the torch.

Foley's most likely role may be limited to backstage comedy or an in-ring speaking segment. Foley's history with Hell in a Cell also makes him a candidate to interfere in the Shane McMahon-Undertaker match, but the cell has never been conducive to outside interference. The door is still open, however, for Foley to act as a special guest referee in that match; although, this is a role that I have already designated for Michaels. 

There's no shame in having a cameo appearance at WrestleMania—not to mention a record-breaking WrestleMania—even for a legend of Foley's stature. Anything else should be considered an added bonus.

Projection: Mick Foley looks Dean Ambrose in the eye and nods in approval backstage as Ambrose makes his way to the ring.

Steve Austin

Steve Austin helped kick off WrestleMania 30 in what may have been the greatest opening segment in the franchise's history. He'll have big shoes to fill in his follow-up this year, and as far as legends go, he should have one of the bigger roles on the card.

Austin has been clear about having no plans to step back into the ring anytime soon, but that doesn't mean he won't hit a Stone Cold Stunner for old time's sake.

WWE could bring Austin's live podcast to WrestleMania 32 in some capacity, which sounds like it could go extremely well or off the rails. It's also a way to kill many birds with one stone (cold) by involving several legends.

Projection: Steve Austin hosts a live podcast segment at WrestleMania 32 with multiple legends. He proceeds to stun them all.

The Rock

The Rock promised a next-level performance when it was announced he would be involved at WrestleMania 32. A wrestling match is out of the question, but as has been the case for years, The Rock hardly needs to wrestle to give fans their money's worth.  

Expectations are raised for The Rock to outdo past performances in front of a historic crowd. The possibilities are basically endless given the amount of celebrities, wrestlers and athletes who would jump at the chance to participate in a segment with The Rock.

So what's "next-level" when you're The People's Champion? Rock's ties to Roman Reigns have been well-documented, but WWE's experiment in having Rock save Reigns at the 2015 Royal Rumble came with lukewarm results.

In an interview with Hot 97, Reigns went on to acknowledge The Rock's reaction to that icy (read: entitled) response in Philadelphia:

"

I think he had a good idea. With social media, with so many different outlets and platforms that we have now, you can kind of get a taste of what's happening, the way people are swinging and where you're falling. Leading up, for weeks I could see it developing and the movement getting stronger. I knew I wasn't going to be a popular guy that night. I didn't realize it was going to be so strong.

"

It might be for the best if The Rock is kept away from Reigns. He wouldn't be short of alternative roles. 

Projection: The Rock and AT&T Stadium set a Guinness World Record for something that fans will inevitably complain about.

Alfred Konuwa is a Featured Columnist and on-air host for Bleacher Report. LIKE him on Facebook and listen to him on WrestleZone Daily.