With plenty of buzz about new signees potentially headed to WWE, there are also a group of stars that fans continue to await making a return.
From injuries to those who were written off in storylines over WrestleMania 41, there are plenty of favorites that are seemingly on the verge of returning.
Here are eight WWE returns that are likely coming soon.
8. Cody Rhodes
Although WWE’s official website was still advertising Cody Rhodes WWE SmackDown on Friday, May 16, he did not make an appearance.
Rhodes has yet to be seen since he lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 41.
Cody continues to be prominently featured on the poster for the upcoming Money in the Bank PLE on June 7, suggesting his return should be sometime in the next few weeks.
While his return appearance could wait until the MITB event, perhaps Rhodes will be seen on NBC for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24, where Cena faces R-Truth.
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7. Bayley
In the weeks following her attack at the hands of Becky Lynch before WrestleMania 41, Bayley has yet to return to WWE.
Although Lynch revealed that she was the one behind the assault, there has been no comeuppance for The Man as of yet.
Since Becky continues to feud with Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria, it seems that Bayley could simply be waiting for the time to strike.
Ahead of the potential WWE Evolution 2 PLE rumored for July, it would be great to see these two feud and potentially end up in a match at that event as both were instrumental in the women’s evolution in WWE.
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6. Ilja Dragunov
After suffering an injury in September 2024, it was confirmed that Ilja Dragunov would be out for an extended period of time.
With reports regarding his potential return ranging from ‘soon’ until an outward speculation of fall 2025, it does seem as though the Mad Dragon will be back in action sooner rather than later at this point.
While he had an exceptional run as NXT Champion, the main roster has yet to see what Dragunov is truly capable of.
An immediate contender for the Intercontinental Championship – perhaps even the World Title – hopefully Dragunov will be accounted for in the rumored upcoming WWE Draft.
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5. Kiana James
Kiana James got called up from NXT to the main roster during the 2024 WWE Draft but her stay on Raw was relatively shortlived.
After only competing in two matches on the red brand, she then was sidelined due to injury in June.
Perhaps poised to make a surprise return in order to qualify for the ladder match this year, James has been reported to not only potentially be returning soon, but also set for a big push when she does.
Hopefully able to show more of her character work and in-ring prowess this time on the main roster, Kiana James is seemingly set for future stardom.
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4. Bronson Reed
After picking up a complicated injury during the Survivor Series: WarGames match, Bronson Reed required surgery on his talus bone which he described as “smashed completely in half”.
The ankle needed to be repaired with screws, as well as requiring bone marrow extraction from Reed’s hip which was then put into his ankle.
Needless to say, Reed has had a far more complicated road to recovery than a standard “fracture” suggests and the Australian wasn’t shy about sharing some gory details.
However, there have been some reports noting that Reed is expected to return around May or June 2025, so hopefully we see the former WWE NXT North American Champion pick up singles gold on the main roster soon.
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3. Tonga Loa
Suffering an injury at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, it is reported that Tonga Loa may be able to return to in-ring action in the near future.
However, it remains to be seen where he may align in the current new Bloodline developments.
In Loa’s absence, Jacob Fatu has risen to new heights by capturing the hearts of fans and the United States Championship. Meanwhile, Solo Sikoa has already recruited another new dangerous ally in JC Mateo (Jeff Cobb).
Tama Tonga on the other hand is also out of action due to an undisclosed injury suffered in April 2025 that has been described as potentially requiring surgery without a timeframe for a return.
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2. Asuka
Asuka has been out of action since May 2024 after suffering a knee injury and requiring a surgery thereafter.
In the time since her absence, her fellow Kabuki Warriors tag team partner Kairi Sane also picked up an injury that took her out of action.
While IYO SKY is the current WWE Women’s World Champion, it remains to be seen whether or not Asuka could return as a babyface who is thrilled for her friend, or as a heel out to get IYO.
With the latest reports noting that she was expected back in action sometime in May 2025, it seems that Asuka could make a surprise return at any time.
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1. Kairi Sane
Kairi Sane was last seen in WWE in December 2024 before picking up an injury that has kept her out of action since.
While Sane has not been back in action, IYO SKY went on to capture the WWE Women’s World Championship, while Dakota Kai was released from the company.
Recent reports have noted that Sane was “very close” to being able to return, and she has shared videos and photos of her physical progress.
With Asuka’s return to WWE also considered sometime soon, fans are anxiously awaiting to see if the Kabuki Warriors reunite, and if so, are they heels or babyfaces?
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