From John Cena to Aleister Black, fans have seen several WWE stars make their return to Friday Night SmackDown throughout 2025.
While these returns have made a difference there could be even more surprises coming in the next few weeks and months that might be just as impactful.
Here are seven potential returns on WWE SmackDown.
7. Santos Escobar
On October 7, it was revealed that Santos Escobar’s WWE contract expired and was set to make him a free agent.
However, Escobar surprised many fans when he re-signed with the company for reportedly a massive pay raise following his expiration.
Escobar is someone who has not received the opportunities to truly shine on the WWE main roster stage.
Now that he is re-signed with the company, fans should see Santos Escobar make his return to Friday Night SmackDown and could be in line for a significant role on the blue brand moving forward.
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6. Austin Theory
Austin Theory is someone who has found himself back in the headlines following recent reports regarding a possible big push incoming upon his return.
In July 2025, it was announced that Theory had suffered an undisclosed injury that would keep him sidelined for months.
Wanting to make his mark upon his comeback, Theory could be shifted over to WWE SmackDown where he would be considered a rising star on the roster.
Theory heading to SmackDown could see him become a champion again and clash with the top names on the roster, such as Randy Orton and Damian Priest.
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5. Rey Mysterio
Ahead of WWE WrestleMania 41, Rey Mysterio suffered a torn groin injury that has kept him sidelined for much of 2025.
The WWE Hall of Famer has been sorely missed, but he has made a few appearances on Lucha Libre AAA events.
At 50 years old, Mysterio might be returning for one final run in his in-ring career before hanging up his signature mask once and for all.
Mysterio returning to SmackDown seems appropriate considering the show being his home for his first couple of years in the promotion.
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4. GUNTHER
GUNTHER is widely regarded as one of the very best in-ring performers on the WWE roster today.
“The Ring General” has made Monday Night Raw his home brand for the past two years and has emerged as a top star in the company.
Wanting to make his mark upon his return to the promotion, GUNTHER could head back to Friday Night SmackDown and start battling the top talent on the blue brand.
Whether it is rekindling his rivalry with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton or starting a new Imperium stable, GUNTHER returning to SmackDown would set him up for a massive role moving forward on Friday nights.
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3. Bianca Belair
Following WWE WrestleMania 41, Bianca Belair was reportedly sidelined with a broken finger injury.
“The E.S.T. of WWE” is still one of the top stars of the women’s division and has been someone missed by the fans.
Since her absence, the SmackDown women’s division has been missing Belair’s presence badly.
Belair returning to SmackDown could see him feuding with the likes of Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill and Giulia upon her in-ring comeback.
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2. Paige
Back in March 2025, Saraya announced her departure from All Elite Wrestling after a three-year run with the promotion.
During her time with the company, Saraya was a former AEW Women’s World Champion and one of the top stars in the women’s division.
After making it no secret that she is open to a return, Saraya could return to her Paige moniker back in WWE at some point.
Paige returning to WWE could see her add some major star power to the SmackDown women’s division where she could do battle with Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss or Nia Jax.
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1. Andrade
Following his abrupt WWE release in September, Andrade quickly emerged in All Elite Wrestling when he returned on the October 1 Sixth Anniversary edition of AEW Dynamite.
The former WWE United States Champion was quickly pulled from AEW TV after it was revealed he was under a non-compete clause.
With the clause being as long as one year, there’s always the potential that Andrade and WWE could come to a new agreement in that time, one that would see him brought back to the company.
Andrade returning to WWE could see him come back to SmackDown and reach new heights that were not possible during his first two runs with the promotion.
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