WWE wants Kurt Angle, Bubba Ray Dudley and Shawn Michaels to return to boost ratings - report

WWE reportedly wants to bring back former superstars Kurt Angle, Bubba Ray Dudley and Shawn Michaels to boost ratings of its RAW and Smackdown Live events.

According to Forbes, The Heart Break Kid in the past has turned down several offers to fight but the wrestling entertainment company is planning to motivate the 51-year-old, who has not stepped in the ring in the past six years following his fight against The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 26.

The development comes after reports that the Hall of Fame star could fight AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble, which is scheduled to take place at Alamodome, in Texas, on 24 January. The venue for WWE's first big PPV of 2017 is the place where 20 years ago, the Attitude Era superstar won the WWE Championship against Sycho Sid.

During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Styles had said that he would love to fight the former wrestler at the event. Moreover, the 39 year-old wrestler then had shared a fan's photo on social media that showed him and Michaels ready to battle at Royal Rumble 2017.

According to the news website, Bubba Ray Dudley, who in the recent past, had hinted that he wants to return to the WWE, could do a singles run as a surprise entrant at Royal Rumble and then head for the SmackDown roster.

After Royal Rumble, WWE's focus will shift to WrestleMania 33, where Kurt Angle possibly could make his return. Angle could also make his WWE return as a surprise entrant at Royal Rumble or could land at RAW or SmackDown to boost ratings during WrestleMania season.