Former World Heavyweight Champion Hoping To Return To WWE Later This Year

In the past few months, three former World Heavyweight Champions have returned to the WWE fold. CM Punk debuted on the first episode of WWE Backstage, Edge returned to the squared circle at the Royal Rumble after retiring in 2011 and John Cena appeared on the February 28 episode of Friday Night SmackDown to set up his WrestleMania 36 match.

Now, another former champion could be set for a shock return as during a recent appearance on Nos Cayo La Noche in Mexico, Alberto Del Rio announced he has been "in communication" with WWE and is hoping to re-sign with the company by the end of the year.

Del Rio said: "We have been in communication. We have rebuilt the bridge. On their part, they were wrong on some decisions and I also did some things wrong on my part. I am hoping that we can reach an agreement sometime this year or by the middle of this year I'll be back there."

Del Rio's claims appear to be wishful thinking, however. Fightful Select reached out to WWE after his comments and were told by one source that they were "b******t." Another source also reiterated that the company believes Paige is more valuable doing nothing than anything Del Rio could do and WWE wouldn't risk making The Anti-Diva uncomfortable by having him around. 

H/T to Wrestlingnews for the transcription