5 Current WWE Women who could return in 2022

The year has almost come to an end and now it appears that WWE is just running down the clock until Day 1 on New Year's Day.

With several of the company's upcoming shows being pre-recorded around the festive season, it's unlikely that any superstars will be making their long-awaited return.

A number of stars have been sidelined for a range of different reasons in recent months, but could all potentially make their return in 2022.

The following list looks at just five current female WWE Superstars who could make their return to WWE at some point in 2022.

---

#5. Former WWE Women's Champion Alexa Bliss could return at the annual Royal Rumble

Alexa Bliss was last seen on WWE TV at Extreme Rules when she lost her RAW Women's Championship match to Charlotte. The former Champion was written off TV at the event after her long-time associate Lilly was destroyed as part of the match.

It was later reported that Bliss had been written off TV in order to undergo sinus surgery, and hasn't made an appearance for the company since. Bliss has remained active on social media and has been teasing her return as part of The Royal Rumble match recently.

It's unclear how The Goddess will make her return since Lilly was destroyed and The Fiend has now been released. Bliss could be handed a new character and gimmick upon her return and could be pushed into a prominent spot in WWE.

It is worth noting that Bliss was recently drafted over to RAW, but is yet to make an appearance for the brand. There are already several big names on RAW at present, including Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair, so it's hard to see where Bliss will fit in when she is cleared to return.

With The Royal Rumble right around the corner, it's likely that the company will call back many female wrestlers and WWE Hall of Famers to be part of the 30-woman over-the-top-rope battle royal.

#4. Former WWE Women's Champion Bayley

WWE were handed quite a blow back in the summer when Bayley was sidelined after suffering an ACL injury ahead of her match at Money in the Bank.

Bayley was originally set to challenge Bianca Belair for the Women's Championship as part of the show but her injury meant that Sasha Banks instead made her return and took her place.

Bayley has been outspoken about the Women's Division since being sidelined from the company and has made herself several enemies online. When Bayley is cleared to make her return, she could easily be entered into a feud against one of the women she has been insulting on Twitter.

When Bayley suffered the injury back in July, there were reports that she could be out of action for up to nine months, which means that the former champion should make her return to the company at some point on the Road to WrestleMania.

With The WWE Royal Rumble under two months away, the women's match could be the perfect time for Bayley to make her return.

#3. Current WWE Superstar Lacey Evans

Lacey Evans hasn't been seen on WWE TV since announcing her pregnancy in the build-up to The Royal Rumble earlier this year.

It was believed that the pregnancy was a storyline, to begin with, but it was later revealed that it was real and Evans was then written off TV and her match at The Royal Rumble against Asuka was canceled.

Evans has since announced the birth of her second daughter Sunny who arrived in October.

Fellow WWE Superstar Becky Lynch made her return to WWE earlier this year after welcoming her first child in December 2020. Evans has already started working out ahead of her WWE return and is expected to be back in the ring soon.

Even if she took an entire year out to spend with her newborn, Evans would be back in the ring by the fall of 2022.

The star has been active on social media over the past few months but hasn't been drafted as part of the most recent WWE Draft so she is free to return on brand.

#2. Former WWE Women's Champion Asuka

Asuka was once considered to be one of the biggest female wrestlers in WWE and had a lengthy undefeated streak.

The Empress of Tomorrow has been off WWE for the best part of the year after suffering an arm injury. The former Women's Champion hasn't been mentioned as part of the Women's Division for several months and is another female wrestler who went undrafted as part of the 2021 WWE Draft in October.

It's currently unclear where or when Asuka will make her return, but given that she is a former Royal Rumble winner herself, she could be looking at the showcase at the end of January.

With Charlotte and Becky Lynch dominating RAW and SmackDown respectively at present, it's hard to see where Asuka would fit in, which could be why the company's hesitant to slot the star back into the show at the moment.

With all the recent releases in the Women's Division including The Iiconics, Lana, Ruby Riott, and Mickie James, WWE needs Asuka to make her return as soon as possible.

#1. Former WWE Divas Champion Paige

Paige hasn't appeared on WWE TV in more than a year but has incredibly remained part of the company despite all of its recent releases.

The former Champion was forced to retire from active competition back in 2018 after suffering a neck injury. Throughout her career, Paige has struggled with neck issues and underwent surgery ahead of her return in 2017, but this injury marked the end of her career.

WWE has since allowed Paige to remain an active part of the roster as the General Manager of SmackDown and the manager of the Kabuki Warriors but hasn't been used on TV since 2020.

Edge's return after more than a decade has given Paige hope regarding a WWE return, but if the former star isn't able to make her in-ring return then there are several other options. Beth Phoenix recently left her commentary position on NXT and as the inaugural NXT Women's Champion, Paige would be the perfect person to replace the WWE Hall of Famer behind the desk.