WWE Raw 1000: List of names reportedly confirmed to appear on the show

WWE color commentator Jerry Lawler told us there is a list of almost 30 names confirmed to return at tonight's (July 23, 2012) 1,000th episode of Monday Night Raw.

We know a short version of the list thanks to advertisements from the company itself. D-Generation X is confirmed to return, though the ads make it seem as though the group will only consist of Triple H and Shawn Michaels. However, Billy Gunn, Road Dogg and X-Pac are all reportedly going to be there tonight, so we could get a much bigger reunion.

Sorry, no Chyna. Unless Sergio decides to break out his drag uniform and hop a flight to St. Louis.

The Rock announced he would make his big return and reiterated his claim that he would be going after the WWE championship. Who knows how that will play out with John Cena challenging CM Punk for the title in the main event. "The Great One" is expected to get his own segment.

Brock Lesnar is also coming back to answer Triple H's Summerslam challenge. He'll be featured prominently on the show, as this will mark the true beginning of the big build to the next pay-per-view (PPV) event.

Those are the wrestlers who are going to be heavily featured. But what about the long list Lawler speaks of? The Wrestling Observer has uncovered the names of those expected to be in the building tonight.

See the complete list after the jump.

-- Undertaker
-- Shawn Michaels
-- Billy Gunn
-- X-Pac
-- Road Dogg
-- John Layfield
-- Sycho Sid
-- Roddy Piper
-- The Rock
-- Mick Foley
-- Bret Hart
-- Brock Lesnar
-- Paul Heyman
-- Kelly Kelly
-- Jim Ross
-- Gene Okerlund
-- Mae Young
-- Steve Blackman
-- Alicia Webb
-- Diamond Dallas Page
-- Sgt. Slaughter
-- Jim Duggan
-- Vader
-- Road Warrior Animal
-- Slick
-- Bob Backlund

And that's not even the complete list, that's just those who are reportedly confirmed. It's going to be tough to fit them all in but it will be good to see a lot of these folks after so much time away.

Again, though, here's to hoping Stone Cold Steve Austin manages to get time away from his other responsibilities to make an appearance. It just wouldn't be the same without him.