Report: WWE interested in collaborating with Sylvester Stallone for WrestleMania

With WrestleMania 40 taking place in Philadelphia, WWE is interested in collaborating with the city's most iconic (fictional) sports star.

WrestleVotes reports that WWE is hoping to collaborate with Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone for WrestleMania in some form, though whether or not it will end up happening is to be determined. Stallone is from New York but played the iconic character Rocky Balboa in the "Rocky" movie franchise. Balboa is from Philadelphia in the movies, and a Balboa statue is one of Philly's most popular landmarks.

WrestleVotes wrote:

Sources within WWE indicate there is interest in collaborating with Sylvester Stallone for WrestleMania in some form. While any communication status is unclear, I’m told there's hope for it. Whether it ultimately ends up happening or not is to be determined. Stallone, born in NYC, gained fame through the iconic Rocky films, deeply associated with Philadelphia.

Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men podcast added:

Can confirm I had heard that convos were happening about getting Stallone but no idea how far along this is.

In 2005, Stallone inducted Hulk Hogan into the WWE Hall of Fame. Hogan played the character Thunderlips in "Rocky III."

Stallone received Oscar nominations for acting in the original 1976 "Rocky" film and for writing its screenplay. He also received a supporting actor nomination for the 2015 spinoff "Creed."

WrestleMania 40 is taking place from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7. It will be headlined by Cody Rhodes challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.