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2020 has been an unusual year for WWE fans. During the pandemic era of wrestling, several changes have been administered to the WWE product. Nevertheless, surprise returns have been one of the most exciting aspects of its programming since its inception.
However, live audiences have been replaced by virtual crowds in the ThunderDome, so surprise returns won't be the same anymore. That doesn't mean viewers at home will stop enjoying the adrenaline rush caused by these moments anytime soon. After all, Roman Reigns made a triumphant comeback at SummerSlam. His appearance at the event created an opportunity for other high-profile Superstars to return to WWE's ThunderDome, as well.
These are the five most anticipated WWE returns right now.
#5. Samoa Joe's WWE in-ring return
Samoa Joe hasn't been featured in a match on WWE RAW since February when Joe teamed up with The Viking Raiders and Kevin Owens to face Seth Rollins, AOP, and Murphy.
Joe has been showcasing his chops as a part of the commentary team on WWE RAW recently. Last month, MVP revealed that Samoa Joe will return to in-ring action sooner than later in an interview with Newsweek.
"What I understand, ol' Samoa Joe is gonna be back in action and over the years Samoa Joe and I have been great friends, but we've never ever faced each other. At this stage of my career, I think I feel a lot more confident facing him, knowing that I got Bobby and Shelton backing me up—but I also know that wouldn't phase Joe in the least."
While MVP wants to take on The Samoan Submission Machine on Monday Night RAW, the most obvious direction for Samoa Joe would be to go after Seth Rollins when he returns to the squared circle.
Joe did get into an altercation with Rollins during his feud with Rey Mysterio on recent episodes. If WWE wants to extend The Mysterio Family's storyline with The Monday Night Messiah, Samoa Joe could take part in Rollins' downfall.
#4. Sonya Deville's return to WWE
Sonya Deville is currently taking some time off from WWE after an attempted kidnapping incident at her home. So, an immediate return may not be in the cards for Deville right now. At any rate, the popularity of her on-screen character has increased the demand for a comeback.
On-screen, WWE booked Mandy Rose and Deville in a Loser Leaves WWE match at SummerSlam. At the event, The Golden Goddess prevailed and ended The Pride Fighter's tenure with the company. From an appearance of RAW Underground to challenging for a singles title, there are numerous ways WWE could eventually bring Deville back into the fold.
It is important to keep in mind that Deville was one of the most interesting characters on SmackDown before her recent match at SummerSlam. Deville's character-work steadily improve after she and Rose split up in April.
At the rate she was going, The Pride Fighter could have even earned a shot at Bayley's SmackDown women's title.
Sonya Deville is still under contract with WWE, even though her character was written off television. Deville could show up at RAW where plenty of opportunities await her, and Rose moved to the red brand recently, as well. That could be a perfect motivation for Deville's character to appear on Monday Night RAW and pick up right where she left off.
#3. Ronda Rousey returns to WWE
A lot of critics underestimated Ronda Rousey's in-ring acumen because she is an outsider in WWE.
However, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey debuted at WrestleMania 34 in the most entertaining way possible. This kickstarted her one-year arc in WWE, where Rousey impressed audiences in matches with several WWE mainstays. Her journey eventually culminated with a historic Winner Take All match against Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in the main event of WrestleMania 35.
Her first WWE run undoubtedly exceeded expectations as it was generally successful. So Rousey's WWE return will certainly be a newsworthy moment. Ronda's WWE contract lasts until April 2021, and she recently took to Twitter and teased a return to the company, as linked above.
The tweet wouldn't hold much weight if it wasn't for another story that suggested that Rousey was spotted training with Roddy Piper's daughter a few days ago.
RAW's women's division could benefit from another boost. The WWE RAW Women's Champion, Asuka, hasn't found a perfect rival since she feuded with The Golden Role Models. Rousey's comeback would solve that problem immediately.
#2. Edge returns after injury at WWE Backlash
Edge already returned once this year at the Royal Rumble. It was certainly one of the best returns WWE fans had witnessed in a while.
Edge was supposed to have an amazing comeback match against Randy Orton in front of thousands of live fans at WrestleMania 36. Unfortunately, their Last Man Standing Match occurred in the Performance Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Randy Orton and Edge's feud excelled in terms of storytelling. However, The Rated-R Superstar is currently inactive due to a triceps injury he suffered in The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever at WWE Backlash.
Prior to Backlash, Edge picked up the victory over Orton at WrestleMania 36, but The Viper won their second bout. So, it's fair to assume that a rubber match against Orton would be the most obvious creative direction for both Superstars whenever Edge returns to WWE.
Currently, Orton is embroiled in a WWE title feud with Drew McIntyre. Meanwhile, WWE has introduced Keith Lee as the third man in this arc. If The Viper manages to become a 14-time world champion, fans might be in for the ultimate WWE Championship match featuring Edge somewhere down the road. Hopefully, there will be a live audience present this time around.
#1. John Cena's return to WWE
A huge reason why John Cena is the top entry on this list pertains to how WWE will bring him back in the first place. Cena appeared in a trippy and surreal Firefly Fun House Match against Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 36.
The leader of the Cenation fell victim to Wyatt's mind games as the 16-time world champion faced his deepest fears. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt defeated John Cena at The Showcase of the Immortals, and Cena hasn't appeared on WWE programming since.
The Fiend tends to change the course of his opponent's career. So, it's a safe bet that John Cena may not be the Superman caricature he once was when he returns to WWE.
Lately, the 16-time world champion has been busy working on various film projects in Hollywood. Incidentally, Cena also revealed an all-new look complete with a goatee.
John Cena has plenty left in the tank to deliver a few more WWE matches, so a return to the company seems inevitable. Until then, WWE fans will keep speculating about a potential heel turn for Cena, which could be an interesting follow-up to his encounter with The Fiend.
If they both finally turn heel, a rematch between John Cena and Roman Reigns could also be one of the most intriguing matchups of WWE's current era.
