For a big edition of WWE Raw set for Madison Square Garden, there seems to be some intriguing returns entirely possible.
From names who have been out of action for many months to others that haven’t been seen in WWE for several years — the last appearance of John Cena on WWE Raw could host some intriguing surprise returns.
Here are eight possible returns on the November 17 edition of WWE Raw set from Madison Square Garden.
8. AJ Lee
One reportedly planned member of the upcoming women’s WarGames team that has yet to make a return to WWE TV is AJ Lee.
However, with the staggered nature of the women’s WarGames developments — including the arrival of Lash Legend and the returns of Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY — perhaps Lee’s return has been specifically withheld until this big episode of WWE Raw.
With WWE Raw returning to Madison Square Garden for John Cena’s final appearance, the night is certain to see some big moments, including AJ Lee’s rival Becky Lynch defending the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Maxxine Dupri.
With both AJ Lee and Becky Lynch previously reported to be participating in WarGames, perhaps AJ could return either during or after that match to set it up.
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7. Liv Morgan
A former WWE Women’s World Champion from the area could be making a big return at Madison Square Garden — Liv Morgan.
With reports that Liv Morgan is set for a return to WWE in ‘early 2026’, an interesting detail was also thrown in that it could be earlier.
Since the babyface team for the upcoming Survivor Series WarGames match is indeed now two members short of the typical configuration of five-on-five it could be that Morgan will be back in action sooner rather than later.
Potentially being recruited for a return by another reported potential addition to the babyface team in AJ Lee — bringing together the two wild cards from the women’s division in an alliance straight away would make headlines.
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6. Matt Cardona (Zack Ryder)
While unlikely, there could be a re-return in the works for the upcoming episode of WWE Raw.
It was revealed on SmackDown that LA Knight’s mystery opponent was none other than Zack Ryder — with the TNA star returning with his former name, entrance theme and gear.
However, it would be an amazing swerve to see the return of Matt Cardona on WWE Raw as the formal introduction of his new return persona — including a ‘Zack Ryder is dead’ montage to fill in the gap from his five year absence.
With the sentimental crowd at Madison Square Garden more likely to find the humor as well as purpose for the re-return, it could be an unexpected but amazing viral moment.
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5. Chad Gable
Chad Gable has been out of action since June 2025 when he suffered a legitimate shoulder injury that led to surgery.
Although his projected return to the ring has been forecasted into 2026, Gable is certainly motivated to make a speedy recovery.
While Gable may not return to in-ring competition on the edition of WWE Raw, he could be in attendance for another important reason.
If one of the Creed Brothers or El Grande Americano were set to face-off in a first round match in the Last Time Is Now tournament to determine John Cena’s final WWE opponent — perhaps Master Gable could pop up to support.
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4. Roman Reigns
One return to WWE TV that could be fitting for the legendary Madison Square Garden is that of Roman Reigns.
While he did tell The Usos after his loss at Crown Jewel to Bronson Reed in an Australian Street Fight that he didn’t “want to see them until Christmas,” perhaps it was a red herring all along.
Returning to join the babyface squad for the upcoming men’s Survivor Series match, Roman Reigns could become the fifth man on the team that currently consists of CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and Jimmy & Jey Uso.
Possibly arriving to save the day in NYC, the will-he or won’t-he mystery surrounding whether or not Reigns will be willing to join the team could continue up until the event.
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3. Uncle Howdy
The last time Uncle Howdy (or Bo Dallas if you prefer) competed on WWE Raw was in December 2024, although that could change in NYC.
Possibly joining the Last Time Is Now tournament, it would also make complete sense for Howdy to swerve the brackets all together and simply get a match against John Cena in Madison Square Garden.
Providing really the first and possibly last opportunity for the Wyatt Sicks to have an in-depth interaction with John Cena on-screen, it could be a heartwarming bookend to Cena’s career highlights with Bray Wyatt.
Given that Cena has spoken himself about how special his WrestleMania 36 Firefly Funhouse cinematic match with Wyatt was — perhaps fans will see Cena in the world from Bray’s imagination one more time.
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2. Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler)
With the return of Zack Ryder (aka Matt Cardona) to face LA Knight in the Last Time Is Now tournament over on SmackDown, there could be a nostalgic return coming for Madison Square Garden.
Since Solo Sikoa’s opponent has yet to be revealed, he could certainly be facing any number of opponents but perhaps a returning Dolph Ziggler would be perfection.
Competing in TNA Wrestling under his real name Nic Nemeth, Ziggler could make a big return and possibly even take out Sikoa in the first round.
Other potential returning stars from the TNA roster could be Joe Hendry, AJ Francis or even one of the Hardy Boyz, Matt & Jeff Hardy.
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1. Austin Theory
WWE fans aren’t exactly sure what to make of Austin Theory’s most recent absence from TV. Former tag team partner Grayson Waller announced in July that Theory was gone due to injury, but there hasn’t been a lot of additional details revealed.
With Theory reportedly originally set to be in the men’s WarGames team alongside Seth Rollins’ The Vision — it isn’t clear if he is still in WarGames or not.
With only spot remaining on the heel side of the bout (unless of course the teams stick to four-on-four rather than the traditional five-on-five) another reported name that could end up snapping up Theory’s spot is Brock Lesnar.
A potential threat to return at Madison Square Garden himself to wreck havoc in WWE, it could be that The Beast is set to make his big return to join WarGames, poke at John Cena or both.
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