From legends to returning talent from injury, WWE Raw has seen its fair share of returns throughout 2025.
The Netflix era has seen the likes of The Rock, The Undertaker, Rusev and Becky Lynch all make their way back to the fold in a major way on Raw.
Looking at the list of talent who have not appeared in the company over the past few months, there are a number of upcoming returns that could make a significant impact on the on-screen product.
Here are eight potential returns on WWE Raw.
8. Austin Theory
Back in July 2025, Grayson Waller announced that Austin Theory had suffered an undisclosed injury that led to a split for A Town Down Under.
The former two-time WWE United States Champion is someone who felt lost in the shuffle prior to his absence and was in dire need of a shakeup.
Over the past few weeks, reports have circulated that Theory has been brought up in conversations to potentially join forces with The Vision for the upcoming Men’s WarGames at WWE Survivor Series 2025.
With only weeks away from the event, Theory should be on his way back for the WWE Survivor Series 2025 show where he could be part one of the biggest matches of his career.
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7. GUNTHER
GUNTHER has been absent from WWE programming after suffering a nose injury ahead of his World Heavyweight Championship match against CM Punk at SummerSlam 2025.
Prior to his injury, “The Ring General” was viewed as one of the best in-ring performers in the company and was coming off two reigns as World Heavyweight Champion.
Following his losing of the title, it should be interesting to see what GUNTHER will do upon his in-ring comeback.
Considering the ongoing John Cena “The Last Time Is Now” Tournament, it could be the right time for GUNTHER to return, potentially winning this entire tournament and going on to face the legend in his final match.
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6. Brock Lesnar
At WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night Two, Brock Lesnar made his return to the company for the first time in two years.
After confronting his former rival and laying him out to end that show, Lesnar went on to dominate John Cena in a pretty one-sided match at WWE Wrestlepalooza.
“The Beast Incarnate” has not been seen on WWE television since then, but he has been mentioned multiple times by his former advocate, Paul Heyman.
With the company likely booking a Men’s WarGames Match featuring Heyman’s Vision stable, fans could see Lesnar make his return in the leadup to WWE Survivor Series 2025.
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5. Santos Escobar
On October 7, Santos Escobar became a free agent after his WWE contract expired. However, Escobar wound up re-signing with the company a mere 24 hours later.
With this re-signing, recent reports indicated that Escobar was backstage at the November 3 edition of WWE Raw in Anaheim, California.
Following a new contract, WWE should give Escobar a considerable push moving forward to make the money spent worthwhile.
The former Legado Del Fantasma leader could be moved to WWE Raw where he could have some fresh feuds with the likes of Jey Uso, Penta and CM Punk.
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4. Matt Cardona
At the November 1 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, John Cena announced a 16-man tournament that will determine his final opponent for the December 13 Saturday Night’s Main Event.
During this announcement, Cena indicated that this “Last Time Is Now” Tournament would also feature stars from not just Raw, SmackDown and NXT, but also from talent that do not work in the promotion.
Considering the company’s relationships with several different companies, there is a good chance fans could see a returning star make an appearance on Monday Night Raw once again with Matt Cardona being high on the list.
With his established history with Cena and his mention of him in the recent “Pipebomb” promo this past summer, Cardona feels like the most likely TNA Wrestling star that is tailor made for this tournament and a Raw return.
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3. AJ Lee
In September, AJ Lee returned to WWE for the first time in 10 years to help her husband CM Punk in his feud against Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins.
After stepping back in the ring again at WWE Wrestlepalooza 2025, Lee has not appeared on the company’s programming since then.
The former WWE Divas Champion signed a multi-year contract that should see her make even more appearances and have even more matches in the near future.
Considering recent reports indicating her participation in the Women’s WarGames, AJ Lee could be on her way back to the company to compete in her second match in a decade at WWE Survivor Series.
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2. Liv Morgan
Liv Morgan has not appeared on WWE TV since suffering a serious dislocated shoulder injury. After being sidelined since June 2025, WWE has been sowing the seeds for her return.
With Morgan on the shelf, her Judgment Day stable has added Roxanne Perez to serve as an unofficial replacement for the former WWE Women’s World Champion.
Considering Perez getting closer to her boyfriend Dominik Mysterio, it could be only a matter of time before Morgan is back in the fold in a major way.
Liv Morgan returning to the company could generate one of the biggest pops in recent memory and really show how much WWE values her upon this return.
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1. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho has found himself in the headlines quite often since it was revealed that he was in his contract year with All Elite Wrestling.
After spending the last six years with AEW, Jericho has firmly established himself as one of the most influential figures in the company’s history.
The inaugural AEW World Champion is someone with plenty of star power and name value that could make a major splash in WWE if he were to return.
Considering where he is at in his career, Jericho leaving AEW to return to WWE Raw could be just what he needs to close out his career in epic fashion before being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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