Credit: WWE.com

Could wrestling fans see Sting perform at next year's WrestleMania 31 event? According to one report, most at WWE are expecting it.

As Dave Meltzer notes in this week's (subscribers-only) Wrestling Observer Newsletter when talking about the former TNA star's status in the company right now, "Sting merchandise is being sold at WWE house shows. Sting has a merchandise contract with WWE, and most expect him at WrestleMania for what could be his one and only WWE in-ring appearance this coming year."

This will no doubt be welcome news to fans of the wrestler, who have been desperate to see him appear in a WWE ring for years now.

Of course, the question is, just who would Sting face at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco? The Undertaker would be the most obvious candidate, of course. But his various injuries and physical struggles, as well as his solid loss to Brock Lesnar at this past year's WrestleMania, may indicate the veteran is truly done with wrestling.

Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair are possibilities too, if WWE wants to go the nostalgia route. But it's doubtful they could work a remotely decent match against Sting. Hogan can barely bump, due to his back issues, and Flair just turned 65 and hasn't had a decent in-ring performance in years.

Credit: WWE.com

Throwing Sting out there with any of those guys could be an embarrassment and a total disaster, even if WWE tries to keep the match short.

Ideally, Sting will be given a younger foe, someone who can help carry him to a decent bout.

John Cena is a possibility. It would be a big match for Cena and a good use of what will possibly be Sting's only in-ring appearance for the company.

Triple H could also be a candidate if WWE wants the star to go up against a heel.