This past week has seen several talent departures announced — with three main roster names not having their contracts renewed.
But history shows that in WWE, no departure is ever truly permanent.
From Goldberg and Bret Hart to The Ultimate Warrior, even the most unlikely returns have happened over the years, much to the elation of WWE’s audience.
Here are eight stars we’re certain to see walk through the curtain once again in the future — whether it’s for one last run or a one-time nostalgia appearance.
8. R-Truth
R-Truth’s release from his WWE contract was one of the more surprising moves in recent years.
After all, the veteran had just featured in a high-profile bout against John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Fans made their feelings clear on the 2 June episode of Raw, chanting his name during the main event.
WWE Stalwart, Sheamus noted on his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on 4 June that “there’s no way Truth’s not going to come back” – a return for the beloved 53-year-old star is clearly inevitable.
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7. Carlito
On June 1, Carlito revealed that his WWE contract would not be renewed.
While he wasn’t the most pushed act on the roster by any means, this decision came as a surprise given he was part of one of WWE’s most featured acts: The Judgment Day.
It marks the end of his second run with the company, having returned in 2023 after a 13-year absence.
Joking on social media that he’ll “reappear again in another 13 years,” chances are we’ll see him back — even if only for a one-off appearance — much sooner than that.
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6. Goldberg
Goldberg has long made it known he wants a retirement match — last wrestling in 2022 – and 2025 is set to be the year it happens.
At last year’s Bad Blood, he had a combustible confrontation with Gunther that appeared to be the initial spark for his farewell feud.
It has been reported that Goldberg’s final bout could take place at the just-announced Saturday Night’s Main Event on 12 July — which is also set to take place in Atlanta – his adopted hometown.
A Goldberg return in the coming weeks seems more likely than ever, as WWE begins to build his long-awaited in-ring swan-song.
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5. Braun Strowman
At the beginning of May, Braun Strowman was released from WWE for the second time in his career.
Still serving out his no-compete clause, TNA would seem like a likely landing spot for the 6’8″ powerhouse if he chooses to continue wrestling.
However, as WWE has done before with their giants, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Strowman make a return in a future Royal Rumble – with past examples over the years including Kane, The Great Khali and Diesel.
Whether it’s for a one-off nostalgia pop or a full-scale return, fans should expect to see “The Monster Among Men” back through the curtain at some point.
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4. Savio Vega
The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer has reported that Savio Vega will be in attendance and working as a producer for the WWE and AAA World’s Collide show on 7 June.
A memorable star of WWE’s “New Generation” era in the 1990s, Vega was last seen at Backlash 2023, held in his native Puerto Rico.
It is currently unknown, however, whether the 60-year-old will appear on camera during the event.
Despite having no real connection to AAA, his presence at Worlds Collide is sure to pop the crowd at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
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3. The Hardy Boyz
The Hardy Boys’ run together in AEW was largely lacklustre.
Their return to TNA, however, has been a different story – playing a major role in the promotion’s revitalisation and consistently featured near the top of the card.
While they’re beyond their prime physical years, they remain huge stars – and there’s no place where their star power shines brighter than in the company that made them famous: WWE.
An eventual return to WWE feels not just inevitable but guaranteed — and so too is the rapturous fan reaction when that moment finally arrives.
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2. Nic Nemeth
Nic Nemeth, aka Dolph Ziggler, was release by WWE two years ago.
Since then, he’s carved out a highly impressive post-WWE run – winning the Global Heavyweight Title in NJPW, the AAA Mega Championship and TNA’s World Heavyweight Title.
Nevertheless, the time could soon be right for Nemeth to return to WWE.
The big question is: does he return alone, or alongside his brother Ryan Nemeth, with whom he currently holds the TNA Tag Team Championships?
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1. Matt Cardona
Since his WWE release in 2020, Matt Cardona has completely reinvented himself, shaking off the limitations of the Zack Ryder gimmick to become “The Indy God”.
With a standout run across the indies and in TNA, he’s arguably more valuable now than at any point in his WWE career.
Appearing recently on the Chris Van Vliet Show, Cardona questioned why WWE hasn’t brought him back — a pointed comment from a seasoned performer.
Possibly a strategic swerve: are we soon set for the return of Zack Ryder — or the long-awaited WWE debut of Matt Cardona?
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