WWE It Begins 2012: Possible Returns Attached to Mysterious Promo

For the past six weeks, cryptic promos entitled "It Begins" have been appearing on WWE programming.

The promos have featured a young boy and a young girl in a classroom. While it is far from certain whose return the promos are touting, there has been no shortage of theories.

The sixth—and presumably final—promo aired on RAW as the mystery person (or people?) is set to return on the Jan. 2 edition of RAW. The promos have made mention of somebody returning to reclaim what is theirs, as well as talk of a prophet.

Because of a boy and a girl being featured prominently, there has been talk that both a man and woman could be returning. Or that one or both of the children are merely symbols.

We won't know for sure what the promos truly mean until next week, but here are the most logical returns that the eerie videos could be touting.

Batista

There is little to support the theory that the videos could mean a return for former WWE and World Heavyweight Champion Batista, but he has certainly been talking about the WWE a lot on his Twitter account as of late.

Chief among Batista's criticisms of the company has been the focus on promoting a PG product.

Batista also criticized putting the World Heavyweight Championship on Daniel Bryan, although he later backtracked by saying he was supportive of Bryan.

Even so, Batista clearly thinks that he is a representative of sorts of a by-gone era. Although he was a big part of the "PG era," Batista prefers a much edgier product.

It isn't inconceivable to think that the promos could be touting Batista's return to reclaim his spot as a main eventer and champion and to change the course of the WWE product. While the videos certainly don't scream Batista when you see them, I think he is a viable candidate at the very least.

Shane and Stephanie McMahon

If the cryptic promos are indeed foreshadowing the returns of both a man and a woman, Shane and Stephanie McMahon probably would make the most sense.

From a storyline perspective, Shane and Stephanie have always been power hungry. They could be returning to claim what they believe is rightfully theirs—ownership of the WWE.

Perhaps it could be revealed that Shane and Stephanie orchestrated the ouster of both Vince McMahon and Triple H from their respective positions of power and have been using John Laurinaitis as a puppet.

After all, Laurinaitis is continually seen texting, meaning he could be receiving orders from Shane and Stephanie.

I personally believe that the girl in the promos is more symbolic than not. But, if there are going to be two simultaneous returns, then Shane and Stephanie are great candidates.

Shane is apparently happy with his current post as CEO of YOU On Demand, but you never know when he and little sis could return to the family business.

Undertaker

Based strictly upon how chilling and strange the "It Begins" promos have been, The Undertaker is undoubtedly one of the main candidates in this situation.

Just last year, there were a number of cryptic promos that signaled the return of the dead man prior to WrestleMania. While many thought the promos were for Sting, they were ultimately an avenue to allow Undertaker to return to feud with Triple H.

With WrestleMania only a few months away, it is certainly conceivable that The Undertaker could be returning once again. The fact that Kane recently returned with a darker persona only serves to bolster the possibility of the videos having something to do with The Undertaker.

Prior to Taker's previous return, Kane had put his kayfabe brother out of commission. Undertaker never had his chance to get revenge, so this could be that time.

After last year's relative disappointment surrounding The Undertaker's return, I don't think the WWE would make that same mistake again.

But, you never know.

Vince McMahon

While I wouldn't call him the favorite by any means, a Vince McMahon return would make plenty of sense in conjunction with the recent promos.

McMahon was taken out of power by the Board of Directors after threatening to fire John Cena. This resulted in Triple H assuming Vince's administrative duties.

McMahon was blindsided by the move, and perhaps he has been working behind the scenes this entire time to regain his power. Prior to Vince's removal from power, John Laurinaitis had developed into his on-screen "stooge" much like Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco during the Attitude Era.

It is very apparent that somebody worked to get Triple H out of power and John Laurinaitis into an authority position.

That may have been Vince who has been an authority figure ever since from behind the curtains. Vince has ruined some big angles before, such as the "higher power" storyline that saw him reveal himself as the one behind the Ministry's sadistic actions.

I could just as easily see Vince returning to reclaim his perch atop the WWE hierarchy.

Chris Jericho

With one week until the person behind the "It Begins" promos is revealed, the overwhelming favorite is unquestionably Chris Jericho.

While it's all speculative, there is plenty of evidence that points to a possible Jericho return.

Everything from the return happening on the second day of January (Y2J), to the name "Chris" possibly being on the boy's notebook in promo, seems to point to Jericho.

Jericho has recently said that he is done with WWE, but it is well-known that one of his favorite past times is to mess with the fans.

While the promo is a bit darker than something we might expect from Jericho, he has used cryptic messages many times before, including with his "Save Us" character following his return in 2007.

At that time Jericho returned to "save" fans from Randy Orton. The current promos have made mention of a prophet or a savior, meaning there are parallels that can be drawn. We can only assume that Jericho believes the WWE Championship is rightfully his, and he is returning to reclaim it.

Jericho called himself the best in the world at what he does, but CM Punk has been calling himself the best in the world since the summer.

The most logical conclusion is that Jericho will return to feud with Punk and regain his billing as the best wrestler in the world.