On the October 17 edition of WWE SmackDown, Ilja Dragunov made his in-ring return.
The Russian-born star had been sidelined since suffering a meniscus tear during a bout with Gunther in September 2024.
That begs the question – which other WWE stars currently on the injured list could be next to make their return?
Here are seven potential upcoming comebacks.
7. Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair has been out of action since WrestleMania 41, where she suffered a significant finger injury during the widely celebrated three-way match for the Women’s World Championship against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley.
However, Belair recently confirmed that she will “be back soon.”
Questions remain over which brand she’ll appear on when she returns: will she head back to SmackDown to challenge Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship, or move to Raw to set up a blockbuster feud with Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer?
Hopefully, we’ll get the answer to that sooner rather than later.
Click the next page button below for more
6. Austin Theory
Austin Theory has been out of action with an injury, his last match coming on Main Event in July – a loss to El Grande Americano.
Last week, The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that Theory was set to be added to The Vision faction, becoming part of their team for the WarGames match at Survivor Series.
However, with Seth Rollins’ injury and the faction’s apparent breakup in its current form, those plans are now up in the air, and whether Theory will still join Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed is uncertain.
Regardless, the 28-year-old star appears ready to return from injury – and it seems likely we’ll be seeing him back on WWE programming very soon.
Click the next page button below for more
5. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio has been out of action since April after suffering a torn groin on the WrestleMania go-home edition of SmackDown, an injury that forced him off the card.
It has been reported over the past number of weeks that the 50-year-old legend is back training at WWE’s Performance Center.
It appears that his return could come sooner rather than later.
The question now becomes what WWE will do with him: does Mysterio move to the company’s newly acquired Mexican promotion AAA, becoming its top star; or return to Raw to resume his feud with El Grande Americano?
Click the next page button below for more
4. Apollo Crews
SmackDown star Apollo Crews has been out of action since January after suffering a torn pec.
The 37-year-old reportedly returned to in-ring training in August, so it appears that a return is now increasingly imminent.
The big question, however, is what WWE should do with the former United States and Intercontinental Champion.
Does he return to the undercard role he occupied before his injury – or could we see him given renewed emphasis and a concerted push?
Click the next page button below for more
3. Gunther
Gunther has not been seen on WWE programming since SummerSlam, after dropping the World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk.
The 38-year-old star required surgery to deal with a nose issue he had been dealing with.
However, last month, The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that Gunther is “expected back very soon.”
Speculation has been mounting that Gunther will be the one to face John Cena in his final match – meaning his return will likely set up that big-time bout.
Click the next page button below for more
2. Otis
Otis has been out of action on mainline WWE TV since May.
He was sidelined with an injury, but returned to action in August at AAA TripleMania as part of the Copa Bardahl.
However, he has still yet to make an official WWE return on Raw.
He’s been working some Main Event matches recently, so his comeback looks to just be a matter of time.
Click the next page button below for more
1. Aria Bennett
Aria Bennett, who had been working in WWE Evolve, suffered an ACL tear a few months ago.
With the recent departures coming from the WWE developmental system, Bennett was asked about her status.
She confirmed that she’s still with the company, still recovering from her injury.
She noted that she’s “healing fast” and waiting to get cleared, so she could be returning soon.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…