Stone Cold, Ric Flair, More Legends Predictions at WWE Raw's 25th Anniversary

WWE will reach a major milestone on January 22 when Monday Night Raw celebrates 25 years on the air. The company’s flagship program has been the industry trendsetter since its debut; now many of the Superstars responsible for carrying WWE will return for the anniversary.

According to the list of guest stars released on WWE.com, it promises to be a star-studded night.

Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, D-Generation X and The Undertaker are just some of the legends who will be on hand for the festivities. Also included on that list are Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Nature Boy Ric Flair, two of the biggest names in pro wrestling history.

But what will these legends do?

With few exceptions, the majority of names returning will likely not be involved in WWE moving forward. Anything is possible, of course, and the company can make moves if the time is right, but only a handful of the veterans fans will see could make an impact on the company in the months to come.

That impact will lead WWE to WrestleMania 34, which means that Raw 25 will be an important night. The Royal Rumble will take place just six days later, marking the official start of Mania season. But fans shouldn't look past January 22; some big things could well be in the works.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Fans want two things from Stone Cold Steve Austin: beer baths and stunners.

Austin should deliver both at Raw 25. The Texas Rattlesnake is unlike many other legends who will be on hand because he rarely ever appears on WWE programming, unless it's in connection to his podcast. Austin seems content with working outside of the business and maintaining his brand.

Of course, fans want much more than that from him.

Fans want Austin back. They want the same rebellious tough guy who always spoke his mind and never backed down from a fight. They want to see him do his thing against Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and any heel who dares to cross his path.

But Austin is apparently not interested in coming back for any extended period of time. A one-off here and there seems to be all he will agree to, so fans will just have to accept that and move on. However, that does not mean he won't be on top of his game when he steps into the ring.

Austin will cut a promo, pop the crowd and then stun The Miz. He may even help Miz back to his feet, offer him a beer and then stun him again for good measure. Fans will love it, the spot will look good and it will be fun times again in WWE.

Will it still be fun even if Austin is in the ring alongside Roman Reigns as the two take out The Miztourage together? Maybe. Maybe not.

DX

D-Generation X is a conundrum in WWE because of The Game.

Triple H is the primary heel authority figure in the company. WWE loves that role, and Hunter plays it extremely well. But even though he's meant to be hated, he's often cheered. Fans know he's responsible for the massive success of NXT, and they respect him for it.

They also know his character tends to change as the wind blows, yet that doesn't seem to make a difference.

When he's standing next to Shawn Michaels, Triple H is obviously going to be a babyface. The same will be true of The New Age Outlaws, though they could heel out at any moment and immediately turn the fans against them.

The strength of today's DX lay in their promos. Hunter and Michaels don't really need to attack anyone or deliver their finishers to the most hated heel of the moment. All they need to do is get in the ring, cut their promos and put over their usual taglines. 

They do always seem to have two words for you.

Of course, DX would not be DX if they didn't get into some kind of trouble, so if a random heel or two end up in their way, fans can expect mayhem to ensue. It's what D-Generation X does best.

Hall and Nash

Like John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash will always be remembered together.

So it should come as no surprise when Hall and Nash come to the ring on Raw 25. The two men who helped spark a revolution when they jumped to WCW in 1996 are immortalized in pro wrestling history because of The nWo.

They're also fondly remembered as Diesel and Razor Ramon in WWE. So who will fans see on January 22?

At this point, there's no real reason for Hall and Nash to relive their WWE gimmicks. Fans know who they are, they know the history and they're surely ready to just enjoy the reunion. But The Outsiders will not be alone in Vince McMahon's ring.

They should be joined by The Balor Club. Finn Balor is leading the charge with his New Japan teammates, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, as the trio has finally been united on WWE programming. It may not be The Bullet Club, but it's the closest thing WWE can get at this point. So why not put Balor Club face-to-face with the men who provided the inspiration for the original Bullet Club?

Without Hall and Nash, there likely would not have been a Bullet Club. Booking the five men to appear in the same ring together is a logical move, and it needs to happen at Raw 25. But the five should be on the same side, formed against a common enemy. 

That enemy should be The Bar and maybe even The Miztourage.

It probably will not be a 10-man tag team match, and it doesn't need to be. If The nWo's music hits and The Outsiders make the save for The Balor Club during a beatdown from a gang of heels? That's perhaps the sweetest scenario fans can imagine.

Ric Flair

Of the veterans booked to appear, Ric Flair is the one who may out-pop them all.

The Nature Boy's health scare in 2017 had fans believing that curtain was perhaps coming down for Flair. But in true Horseman fashion, Flair cheated the odds and came out on top. Just to see him in the ring at Raw 25 is likely enough for any fan who feared the worst.

But Flair may not be alone, as Charlotte could potentially show up with him. Though nothing has been officially announced, it's only logical that Ric and Charlotte appear together on Raw. But if that does not happen, then maybe it will be a Four Horsemen reunion on live TV.

What if Flair came together with Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and Barry Windham on Raw 25? Like many other possible scenarios at hand, this one would ultimately be about shining up the legends for nostalgia's sake. But it does not mean the legends don't deserve that kind of treatment; they paved the way for the men and women of today's WWE.

That's especially true of The Four Horsemen, who continue to be regarded as the best faction in pro wrestling history.

However, if the focus of this particular Raw is to remember what made the program great, then Flair may appear on-screen next to Triple H and Shawn Michaels. If that's the case, then Flair will still outshine everyone else, and his presence alone will be enough to get the crowd on its feet.

The Undertaker

While many WWE legends will probably come in for one night then leave the next day, one legend could perhaps stick around a little while longer.

The Undertaker may or may not be retired from WWE. The company has teased Taker's departure since WrestleMania 33, after The Deadman lost to Roman Reigns. But the problem is, Taker himself never came out and officially announced it was over for him.

So while Reigns celebrated becoming The Big Dog, Taker has just sat back and watched it all unfold. Could he come back and challenge Reigns to a rematch at WrestleMania 34, with Taker's career on the line? Or will The Phenom simply come out and tell the world he is indeed finished with the business?

Or will Undertaker come out and pick a fight with John Cena?

That's the outcome that many fans are expecting. It's not a match many wanted, and perhaps that's even the case now. But it's a match that feels as though it needs to happen. Cena's days as the top guy are over. Taker's career is near the end. What better way to send two warriors out on a high note than against each other on The Grandest Stage of Them All?

Undertaker laid down his signature hat, coat and gloves at WrestleMania 33. So when he comes down to the ring at Raw 25, he may do so on a motorcycle. If he does, then he will be able to speak openly about everything on his mind. If that includes facing Cena at WrestleMania 34, then fans will surely blow the roof off of the building.

Knowing that The Phenom has one more ride left in him may be enough to do just that.

Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, iHeart Radio, Windows Phone. Amazon Android and online at boinkstudios.com