5 injured WWE Superstars who could return the night after WrestleMania 34

The night after WrestleMania has become known for being one of the best WWE Raw episodes of the year, with surprise debuts and returns often taking place on the show.

In recent years, Finn Balor, Cesaro and Sheamus have all returned the night after 'Mania following long-term absences, and there are plenty of people who could find themselves in the same position after WrestleMania 34.

In this article, we take a look at five injured Superstars who could potentially make their much-anticipated returns on the 9th April episode of Raw.

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#5 Big Cass

Big Cass has been sidelined since August 2017

Big Cass looked in line for a huge push as one of Raw’s biggest heels in 2017. However, he suffered a torn ACL in his knee during a match against Enzo Amore in August and he was ruled out for around nine months.

The 7-footer said on The Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast in November 2017 that he is expecting to return shortly after WrestleMania 34, while he was recently spotted training at the Performance Centre.

A return before WrestleMania looks extremely unlikely, but don’t be surprised if Cass makes his long-awaited return the following night on Raw.

#4 Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre is set to return to the main roster

Drew McIntyre suffered a bicep injury during his NXT Championship defeat against Andrade “Cien” Almas at TakeOver: War Games in November 2017 and he is yet to make his return to the squared circle.

The injury came at the worst possible time for McIntyre, who was reportedly due to be called up to Raw or SmackDown Live just days after the match, but recent talk suggests that he is close to making a full recovery.

The Scot is currently training with WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page, while he hinted this week that his return could come in the not-too-distant future when he sent an “advanced warning” to WWE and NXT Superstars on Twitter.

Consider this advanced warning. As much great stuff as I’m watching in @WWE & @WWENXT I’ve noticed some complacency across the board. Sitting ducks. I’ve never worked this hard in my life. If you’re across the ring from me & you’re not on my level...I will eat you alive #TickTock

— Drew McIntyre (@DMcIntyreWWE) March 11, 2018

#3 Jason Jordan

Jason Jordan is a former Raw Tag Team champion

Jason Jordan underwent successful surgery on his neck in early February, ruling him out of WrestleMania 34, but initial reports that he was set for a lengthy spell out of action appear to have been wide of the mark.

Kurt Angle, Jordan’s on-screen father, revealed in a Facebook Q&A last week that the former American Alpha member could return “shortly after WrestleMania” and he could even be back in the ring within six weeks.

Angle’s comments suggest that Jordan’s likely in-ring return will come towards the end of April, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t make his televised comeback a couple of weeks earlier in a non-wrestling role.

#2 Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy is expected to return from his shoulder injury soon

Conflicting reports have suggested that Jeff Hardy will either return to WWE programming before WrestleMania 34, possibly during the Matt Hardy vs Bray Wyatt Ultimate Deletion match, or his return has been put on hold due to his recent DWI arrest.

The latest update came from Reby Hardy, Matt’s wife, who wrote on Instagram this week that Jeff "is clearly doing his own thing and it has nothing to do with us right now".

Either way, it looks like Jeff is close to making his comeback from shoulder surgery, which he underwent in September 2017, and we can expect to see him back on our screens before too long.

#1 Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe was set to feud with John Cena before his injury

Samoa Joe has been restricted to just one televised appearance in the last two months – the NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia kickoff panel – after suffering a foot injury during a match against Rhyno on Raw in January 2018.

While no official timescale has been given on his return, the Wrestling Observer reported in February that Joe is expected to be at full health again by mid-March, which suggests he could even make his return before WrestleMania – a show he has never competed on.

If the former NXT champion doesn’t appear before "The Show of Shows", then there’s every chance he could be involved in a high-profile post-WrestleMania storyline upon his return.