Backstage WWE Rumors: Latest on The Rock, Shane McMahon and More

With WrestleMania 38 rolling into Dallas this weekend, the wrestling rumor mill is buzzing with the possibility of a Shane McMahon appearance, reports of The Rock returning to the ring at next year's show and an update on The KO Show with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

What might The Great One have in store for WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles in 2023? Can fans expect to see Shane-O-Mac this weekend? Why might Austin's return headline Night 1 of the annual extravaganza? 

Find out the answers to those questions with this collection of sports-entertainment rumors.

Latest on The Rock and WrestleMania 39

The Rock wants to do WrestleMania 39, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Taylor Sanchez of WrestleTalk).

Of course, there are several factors at play, not the least of which is his filming schedule. If he has his way, though, it sounds like The Great One is all for appearing in Los Angeles and presumably battling Roman Reigns in a major main event.

The bout between The Tribal Chief and The Rock has been long teased, but the Hollywood star has been unable to make it work due to his hectic schedule.

A match of that magnitude would be the perfect attraction to help sell out SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. An enormous stadium with a blockbuster title bout of that sort would feel like the biggest match of the year and give Reigns that signature match every wrestler craves.

There is still plenty of time for filming to get in the way, but the fact that The Rock wants to do the show is a huge step in getting to that moment.

Shane McMahon in Dallas for WrestleMania

Shane McMahon will come back home for WrestleMania 38 when WWE returns to Dallas this weekend, according to Mike Johnson of PWInsider. 

The Prodigal Son was last seen at the men's Royal Rumble match in January, where he was a surprise entrant.

The AT&T Stadium was the site of his monumental Hell in a Cell bout against The Undertaker in 2016, but WrestleMania is also the biggest event of the year for his family and their business. It makes total sense that he would be in town to take in the show.

Of course, his presence has spurred rumors that he could be the mystery opponent for Seth Rollins. Given WWE's track record of trotting Shane-O-Mac out for big matches here and there, it would be in character. 

Hopefully, though, those in power understand the backlash that decision would ignite from an entire world of fans expecting Cody Rhodes to be the opposition for The Visionary.

Reason for Steve Austin on the KO Show Main-Eventing Night 1

Meltzer also suggested the reason "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's appearance on The KO Show is slated to headline Saturday's WrestleMania Night 1 is because WWE does not want anyone leaving after seeing The Texas Rattlesnake. 

That is understandable, but there has to be some sort of hesitancy among the WWE hierarchy about booking anything to follow Stone Cold's first major physical altercation since retiring.

Who would want to follow what is expected to be one of the hottest moments of either night? 

The roof is going to blow off AT&T Stadium when Austin stomps to the ring, opens a can of whoop-ass on Owens and drops him with a Stone Cold Stunner. It's going to be one of the most memorable parts of the entire broadcast.

Does WWE really believe that Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey is a strong enough story to win fans over and get them to invest after being ecstatic about Austin's comeback? 

If Austin and KO close Night 1 on Saturday, WWE made the right call.