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Well, with SmackDown is approaching its 1000th episode and Undertaker already confirmed to appear, you've got to imagine there are only more huge announcements to be made when it comes to talent and, more specifically, returning talent.
With Daniel Bryan slated to face off against The Miz, Samoa Joe to challenge AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy to Clash with Randy Orton, it looks like there'll be no shortage of action at the milestone episode - although it's not yet confirmed that any of these matches will be televised.
But let's look at what talents could shock the world and add their names to the bill.
SmackDown has been on a 19 year rollercoaster, showcasing some of WWE's biggest stars and essentially going from being the new, fresh, exciting show, to being pre-recorded and living in the shadows of Raw, to then going live again and now moving to FOX in 2019 to arguably become WWE's flagship show broadcasting on a Friday night.
So, there's no doubt that - like RAW 1000 and RAW 25 - WWE will pull out all the big guns for SmackDown 1000 on October 16th.
So, what can we expect to see, and more importantly, WHO can we expect to see?
I'm counting down the huge surprise names who could return to WWE for the October special.
#10 Rey Mysterio
Well, his return has been rumored for a long time ever since appearing at both the Royal Rumble and Greatest Royal Rumble this year, and it seems like only a matter of time before The Master of the 619 returns to WWE.
Rey Mysterio is undoubtedly a SmackDown Superstar. While Rey could easily go to Raw if he returns, the luchador's most prominent WWE highlights all link back to the blue brand.
After making his WWE debut on the blue brand in 2002, Mysterio went on to win multiple WWE Tag Team and Cruiserweight Championships on SmackDown, as well as challenging relative giants to himself such as Big Show, Batista and JBL.
Mysterio was a master of Thursday and Friday night’s, also defeating JBL in 2006 in a move that seemed to retire JBL as he would transition into a commentary role.
#9 JBL
So, I can't mention Mysterio without mentioning John Bradshaw Layfield - and that's why this seems like a seemless place to put the Wrestling God.
The former WWE Champion was most recently on WWE as a color commentator but hasn't been seen for a while, but the former APA man shed his tag team prowess when he broke out as a singles star on SmackDown.
14 years ago, in 2004, the financial tycoon arrived in his trademark cowboy hat and suit, and, after capturing the WWE Championship from Eddie Guerrero in 2004, JBL carried the title on SmackDown for 280-days - a feat only recently surpassed by AJ Styles.
#8 The Bella Twins
Well, while the Bella Twins may not officially be on the WWE roster, but it wouldn't be too much of a surprise to see Nikki and Brie return for the special.
Returning to WWE at the Royal Rumble this year, where Nikki and Brie reach the final three of the inaugural match, the Bellas didn't look like they'd missed a beat, and could even compete at SmackDown 1000.
Nikki Bella was a monumental part of SmackDown in her most recent WWE run, and with Brie's husband Daniel Bryan now on the show in a very personal rivalry with The Miz, the possibilities are endless if this pair returned. One personal suggestion, though, would be The Bella Twins vs The IIconics.
#7 Kane
So, it's not been too long since we last saw the Devil's Favourite Demon, and there's every chance we may never see Kane again after Glenn Jacobs became Mayor of Knox County - but if ever there was one last chance to see The Big Red Machine, SmackDown's 1000th episode could very well be the place.
Kane's reputation as one of WWE's most dominant Superstars is no secret, but what's less obvious is the impact The Big Red Machine had on the blue brand. Fighting on the first ever episode of SmackDown, defending the World Tag Team Championships with X-Pac against The New Age Outlaws, the legendary Superstar is possibly the star with the record for the longest tenure on the blue brand, only making his last appearance last month.
One thing is for sure, though, as always, Kane would be greeted with a warm welcome if he ascended from the depths of Hell to appear at this milestone show.
#6 Tazz
Okay, so this one might have come right out of the blue - or orange - but while Tazz' WWE run was slightly underwhelming after the ECW legend's incredible debut at Madison Square Garden, the Human Suplex Machine went on to become the voice of SmackDown.
My suggestion? Bring Tazz back with Michael Cole to commentate on a segment of the show - the ultimate nostalgia throwback.
We've heard Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler quite a few times this past year, notably in the Manhattan Center portion of Raw 25, so there's no question that WWE is happy to revert away from their current three-man booth to a two-man team for special occasions, and no-one took over the SmackDown airwaves more than Tazz and Cole.
But would Tazz return? Now known under his ECW moniker Taz, the Human Suplex Machine has transformed to Human Podcast Machine and now Human Broadcast Machine - voicing a morning drivetime sports show for CBS called Taz and The Moose, not to mention releasing his very own audio-on-demand show called The Taz Show where the ECW legend covers all things wrestling.
Tazz was actually in the building for SmackDown 900, so don't rule out an appearance at 1,000 - but the orange and black-clad star said he wasn't asked to do commentary for a match, but would have been open to the idea to add to the nostalgia.
If WWE reaches out, this really could add something special to the atmosphere of the night - even if it was just for one match.
#5 Edge and Christian
Well, they couldn't appear together at Raw 25 as Edge was in Ireland filming Vikings, but Christian did bring back The Peep Show - this would be a huge coup for WWE.
The pair of pranksters are known as being a legendary tag team - maybe one of the best ever - but it was Edge who found solo success on SmackDown, making history in 2006 as the first Superstar to cash in the Money in the Bank contract.
Edge made SmackDown must-see TV, becoming the face of the show through his epic battles with The Undertaker and his relationship with Vickie Guerrero. While an injury forced the Rated-R Superstar out of the ring in 2011, the Hall of Famer and his former tag team partner are still heavily involved in WWE, even having their own show on the WWE Network.
#4 Brock Lesnar
Okay, so this one may technically be cheating as Brock hasn't left yet - but it has been a very long time since The Beast Incarnate appeared on the blue brand.
Brock Lesnar’s tenure on SmackDown was short, but he did make an explosive impact during that time when he became the youngest Superstar in history to win the WWE World Championship and bringing it to SmackDown exclusively.
Brock's feud with current RAW General Manager Kurt Angle on the blue brand was legendary, and Lesnar is still one of the biggest stars on the planet.
While Lesnar is the red brand's current Universal Champion and may be focusing on UFC sooner rather than later, a return to SmackDown would be huge - particularly if Tazz returns and we can hear, "Here comes the pain!" one more time.
#3 John Cena
So, John Cena is one of the Superstars who transcends brands and essentially works as a free agent whenever he reappears on WWE to give either brand a boost - but it seems like Cena's approaching his curtain call with those appearances becoming less frequent.
Cena's success, however, may very well go all the way back to his stint on SmackDown during the early years of his WWE career.
It was on the blue brand where John Cena answered Mr. McMahon’s call for ruthless aggression, putting on a stellar first performance against RAW GM Kurt Angle.
Cena went on to be the face of the show as The Doctor of Thuganomics, feuding with Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar. Needless to say, the 16-time World Champion makes news wherever he goes, and an appearance is never out of the question.
#2 Batista
It's been a while since we last saw Batista in a WWE ring and, with his last run not going quite as planned, one more run seems to be a constant rumor - especially since The Animal became a Hollywood star.
You can bet The Miz will be here, but this A-Lister is a true SmackDown legend. Since his WWE debut on SmackDown in 2002, Batista clashed with stars like Rey Mysterio, The Undertaker and JBL right up until his 2014 when the former Evolution member abruptly quit.
The six-time World Champion's SmackDown moments include winning the WWE Tag Team Titles with Rey Mysterio in tribute to the late Eddie Guerrero and leading Team SmackDown to victory as WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Survivor Series 2005.
Batista, bizarrely, has been vocal about a comeback, but even stranger, the stumbling block seems to be that The Animal stated he wants a full-time run if he returns to "do it right" and has outlined facing off against Randy Orton and Triple H. Of course, Orton is on the blue brand but is advertised to face Jeff Hardy that night - but a return could definitely plant some seeds for a future rivalry.
#1 The Rock
And from one globally-revered Superstar to the ultimate A-lister.
No-one quite embodies SmackDown like The Rock, and a return is always on the cards for The Great One - schedule permitting. SmackDown may not exist if it weren't for Dwayne Johnson’s popular catchphrases - which even put the word in Webster’s Dictionary.
The People's Champion was the very first face to appear on the program’s very first episode on Aug. 26, 1999, in Kansas City, Mo., but he made it clear in the opening segment that SmackDown was his show - and Johnson may still be the most famous name ever to grace the brand.
From his WWE Championship Match against Triple H on the first ever episode to his monumental return in 2013, the eyebrow-raising legend electrified Thursday and Friday nights.
While SmackDown has come a long way since The Rock last appeared on the show, it's set to become WWE's flagship when it moves to Friday nights for Fox. The return of The Great One at SmackDown 1000 would no doubt help further boost WWE and the blue brand into the mainstream media appease officials watching on if WWE could bring in arguably the world's biggest star right now for the monumental show.
Who would you like to see appear on SmackDown 1000? Let us know in the comments.
