5 Surprises that can happen in WWE in July: Big return after 14 months, 2 SummerSlam matches to get canceled?

July is the month where the Thunderdome era of WWE will officially come to an end. When WWE had crowds return at WrestleMania 37 for the first time in 13 months, the big question was as to when things would return to normal.

WWE vowed that the next time they would have a show in front of an audience, it would mark the return of the full-time touring schedule. True to their word, the announcement was made by WWE that July 16th will be the restart of the touring schedule.

July could be WWE's most important month since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global lockdown. Here are five possible surprises that could happen in WWE this July:

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#5. The return to save the WWE Women's division?

Becky Lynch on the RAW after Money in the Bank 2021

Not that the WWE Women's division needs saving, but it could certainly do with a boost. Becky Lynch has been away from WWE for 14 months now. It was the RAW after Money in the Bank 2020 where she told Women's MITB winner Asuka that the briefcase was going to determine the next RAW Women's Champion.

Asuka was handed the RAW Women's title by Becky Lynch, who said that she was going to become a mother. A lot of time has passed since then and the women's division hasn't been the same since.

The 2018 to late 2019 period was perhaps the hottest the WWE Women's division had ever been. Not only was the roster on all brands growing in talent, but the rise of superstars like Ronda Rousey made it far more exciting as well.

It was in 2018 when Becky Lynch unexpectedly picked up momentum in WWE. In the first half of that year, Becky Lynch was quietly picking up the best winning streak on SmackDown regardless of gender.

Losing out on the SmackDown Women's Championship to Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam that year resulted in Becky Lynch's heel turn - but it completely backfired. As WWE sought out to make Becky Lynch a top heel, fans rebelled against this by cheering for her more than ever.

Soon enough, she quietly turned babyface again and was the SmackDown Women's Champion once more. In what can only be described as possibly the best individual run for a woman in WWE history, Becky Lynch's popularity would skyrocket. She became the first of three women to headline WrestleMania, continuing to make WWE history.

Her year-long reign as RAW Women's Champion proved how important she was to the entire WWE roster and not just the women's division. Her return is expected at some point, but we anticipate that WWE will make it a surprise return in July.

#4. WWE cancels the rumored Edge-Seth Rollins match

Edge returned to WWE in June

A report from WrestleVotes revealed that WWE is planning an Edge vs Seth Rollins match at SummerSlam 2021. It makes a lot of sense since Edge is already booked to face Roman Reigns at Money in the Bank and Seth Rollins is on the cusp of Universal title contendership.

With WWE reportedly having different plans for Roman Reigns, the feud with Edge looks set to be concluded by Money in the Bank. This would likely set up an Edge-Seth Rollins feud for SummerSlam.

Before his return to WWE in the second half of 2021, Edge's last appearance was at WrestleMania 37 - where he got pinned alongside Daniel Bryan by Roman Reigns in the main event.

Edge vs Seth Rollins is a blockbuster first-time-ever match-up in WWE - perfect for the Allegiant Stadium where SummerSlam 2021 will take place. But WWE could pull off a surprise and have the Edge-Roman Reigns feud continue with Seth Rollins involved, similar to the triple threat storyline at WrestleMania this year.

This wouldn't be a very good idea. Edge's feud with Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan was exciting, but the latter even admitted that he didn't feel the need to get added to the WrestleMania main event.

#3. John Cena's WWE return gets canceled

John Cena and Roman Reigns at WWE No Mercy 2017

John Cena is expected to return to WWE this month as well. In a huge move, he is rumored to have a match set against Roman Reigns in the main event of SummerSlam. The last time John Cena and Roman Reigns crossed paths, it wasn't exactly fireworks.

The feud felt like it wasn't on a big enough stage and Roman Reigns was nowhere near as ready to face John Cena as he is now. That didn't stop him from beating John Cena anyway at No Mercy 2017, but WWE likely regrets this feud.

For one, it wasn't even the main event of the No Mercy pay-per-view. One would think that John Cena vs Roman Reigns would be a big enough match to headline WrestleMania. Secondly, the former franchise player of WWE put Roman Reigns in an uncomfortable spot and he seemed to be set up to fail from the beginning.

Things are different now and Roman Reigns has finally turned heel and is enjoying the best run of his WWE career. Reigns even admitted to enjoying being a performer more now that he's allowed to be himself more. A big surprise would be if WWE was to cancel John Cena's return for SummerSlam 2021. We don't expect that to happen, but it would be a shocking move. We will only truly find out after Money in the Bank 2021.

#2. Daniel Bryan returns to WWE

Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 37

With crowds set to return to WWE, it won't be surprising to see many names brought back from the reserves. In this case, it would be out-of-contract superstar Daniel Bryan.

Despite headlining WrestleMania 37, Daniel Bryan was public about wanting to shift into a part-time role in WWE. He had thought that well before WrestleMania 37, but once he admitted to feeling "disconnected" while performing in the main event, that feeling probably grew.

Either way, he was written off WWE television and it was later revealed that his contract expired shortly after that. As of this writing, Daniel Bryan is still believed to be a free agent. The only reason WWE hasn't gone out of their way to re-sign him is that they are confident in doing so.

Not just this, but Daniel Bryan is expected to return as a part-time WWE Superstar. After a decade in WWE, he has earned it. Since he was written off SmackDown, the only place it makes sense for him to return to is on RAW.

If so, Daniel Bryan could become an unexpected WWE title challenger, even heading into SummerSlam 2021. Bobby Lashley vs Daniel Bryan would be a good alternative. Daniel Bryan is expected to re-sign with WWE, but it will be a surprise if it happens this quickly.

#1. Bobby Lashley loses the WWE Championship

Bobby Lashley with MVP on WWE RAW

In what would be the biggest surprise of July, Bobby Lashley could lose the WWE Championship. It seems unlikely, especially since his next WWE title defense is against former WWE Champion Kofi Kingston at Money in the Bank 2021.

Kofi Kingston is a legitimate WWE title challenger, but he certainly isn't the right man to dethrone Bobby Lashley, nor is he the right superstar to build RAW around right now.

Bobby Lashley has been a dominant heel champion and is enjoying the best run of his WWE career. He finally got past Drew McIntyre after an extensive feud between WrestleMania and Hell in a Cell to keep his WWE title intact.

The man who was on the cusp of WWE title contention, Kofi Kingston, emerged after that and the pay-per-view match was set. It isn't a big match to look forward to, but the dynamic in the ring should be interesting.

On the one hand, you have a WWE veteran and former World Champion who is skilled and agile, while the reigning World Champion Bobby Lashley is a dominant force who has run through nearly everybody this year.

There's no actual reason for Bobby Lashley to drop the WWE title, but it would be a big surprise if he did.