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WWE has been airing empty arena shows for over a year now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the company has opened its doors to fans for a few nights and even allowed WWE Performance Center recruits to fill up the seats, things haven’t been the same.
Last week, WWE made a blockbuster announcement that excited fans. The company announced that it will return to live events with a 25-city tour from July through Labor Day.
The July 16th episode of SmackDown will kickstart an entire weekend of live events followed by the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. WWE will be looking to make the return of fans to the arenas memorable with a few big matches and possible returns.
Several WWE Superstars are waiting to make their return to the wrestling ring. The company could also bring back certain inactive superstars who could give the returning fans something to cheer about.
Keeping that in mind, take a look at the five WWE Superstars who could make their return to the squared circle in front of a live audience.
#5 ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt could return to WWE in front of a live audience
‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt last appeared at WWE WrestleMania 37. Wyatt competed in a one-on-one match against Randy Orton on The Show of Shows.
The Fiend came close to victory before a distraction from Alexa Bliss cost him the match. Since then, Wyatt has only appeared sporadically in the Firefly Fun House and has completely disappeared from the ring. Orton too seems to have moved on and is currently part of WWE RAW’s tag team division.
The WWE Universe has been rather vocal about The Fiend’s booking and has not taken his repeated losses too well. Speaking on the SmarkBusters YouTube channel, Vince Russo opened up about WWE's booking of Bray Wyatt.
"If you can't get a guy like Bray Wyatt over, you need to get out of the wrestling business. You need to find another profession of work. What a travesty.
"If they are a great talent and you give them sh*t, you're going to bring them down. No bro, you have to continue to get them over and over and over. That's what has happened to Bray. You've got writers there that can't write up to his level. They are not capable of it. So what have they done? They have brought that character down."
WWE could look to right the wrongs and give The Fiend a fresh start after a short break. With the return of fans in July, fans can expect The Fiend to return and set sights on his next target.
Bringing Wyatt back in front of a live audience could be the right move as WWE could then steer him in the direction fans want to see him in. The fan response could be crucial in building Wyatt’s twisted character further.
#4 Zelina Vega could be in line for a potential WWE return
Zelina Vega last appeared on WWE TV in October 2020. She was abruptly released by the company after developing some differences with the management.
Fans weren’t too happy with Vega’s release and wanted to see her return to WWE. The superstar proved to be a great manager for Andrade, and it was unfortunate to watch her leave the company.
Earlier this month, news broke that Vega might be returning to WWE. Fightful Select reported that Vega was at the WWE Performance Center filming something. The report further stated that there were plans for her to return to the company.
“We're working to learn the context of Zelina's appearance at the WWE PC, but have been told the working plan is for her to return to the company.”
The return of a live audience is not too far away, and WWE could look to bring back the popular wrestler once fans return to the arenas.
Aleister Black recently returned with a slightly different gimmick and the company could align him with Vega for maximum impact. Could Vega be the author of The Tales of the Dark Father?
#3 WWE legend John Cena could come back for a final run
John Cena is one of the biggest names that has not appeared in WWE for quite some time. Cena last competed for WWE on the second night of WrestleMania 36. Since then, The Doctor of Thugonomics has been busy with his Hollywood projects.
The return of fans to the arenas will be seen as a big move for WWE. This could result in some big names coming out for the big moment.
The Wrestling Observer reported that WWE is currently planning for Cena to appear on their first show back with live fans. That could turn out to be a positive move for the company as it could lead to a short return for Cena to the squared circle.
Cena is one of the biggest names WWE has ever produced. The Undertaker has retired while Kane is away from the ring. In that case, Cena could be the perfect man to welcome the fans back to the live shows.
WWE could also look to build a new rivalry for Cena on his first night back in front of a live audience. Cena’s return followed by a match at SummerSlam, could help the company give the fans something big to look forward to.
#2 WWE fans have been waiting for Becky Lynch's return
Becky Lynch is one of the biggest WWE Superstars waiting on the sidelines. Lynch relinquished her WWE RAW Women’s Championship the night after Money in the Bank 2020.
The Man went on maternity leave following the segment. After giving birth to her daughter, Lynch is training hard to return to the ring and reclaim the title she never lost.
Sportskeeda Wrestling's Rick Ucchino recently spoke to WWE's Role Model, and she spoke about facing The Man in the WWE ring sooner rather than later.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m sure it’ll happen sometime,” Bayley added. “We both have some time left here and we both still have a lot of things we want to do. I’m sure she has a list of things she wants to do, and the last time I think we were in the ring together may have been when I beat her up with a chair, maybe a few times after that, but I’m sure she’s ready to get her hands on me, and I’ll be ready because I’ve been doing a lot since she’s been gone. This is consistent Bayley right here. No time off for me. I’ve been making moves, Becky Lynch!”
Lynch is well on track for a return, and the WWE Universe can’t wait to see her back in the ring. With that in mind, WWE may plan to hold her return until fans start crowding the arenas.
Lynch will likely get a huge pop if she ends up making her return to interrupt a heel in front of a live audience. The WWE creative will likely be looking forward to making this a massive surprise return.
#1 Brock Lesnar could return to WWE for a new rivalry
Brock Lesnar has been away from WWE since WrestleMania 37. While several fans have been waiting for his return, it looks like The Beast will only return when he feels like it.
Bobby Lashley is the current WWE Champion, and the WWE Universe is waiting for the first-ever clash between the two monsters. Lashley is placed atop the RAW roster, and Lesnar seems like the only man who can come back and take the title away from him.
WWE legend Booker T also believes that a match between Lesnar and Lashley would be perfect for the two superstars and the company:
"Brock Lesnar showing up and hearing that music, and Paul Heyman's there by his side, just that picture right there is worth the price of admission. I remember working Big Show and John Cena in the Champion of Champions match. Nobody thought I was going to win that match. If there was money in Vegas on that match, I don't think too many people had odds on Booker T walking out that match the Champion of Champions. For Bobby Lashley to be in a match somewhere like that, Champion of Champions match, and then actually winning it in a dominant fashion, MVP cutting a great promo on the world as far as Bobby Lashley being The All Mighty, and then the music (Brock Lesnar's) hits. That right there, I get goosebumps, something like that I can buy into, that's money."
With WWE SummerSlam coming up in a couple of months, WWE could bring Lesnar back in front of a packed crowd after Lashley runs through one of his opponents.
A return then will likely blow the roof off the arena if they see The Beast come out to confront The All Mighty.
A match between the two men will likely be explosive, and WWE could look to bring Lesnar back at the right time to make the return of a live audience more special.
