Is Roman Reigns returning to WWE on SmackDown tonight? What we know

Tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown marks the season premiere of the blue brand on the USA Network, and one of the biggest questions revolves around the possible return of Roman Reigns. The Original Tribal Chief has been absent from the Friday Night show since being taken down by the new Bloodline, leaving fans wondering whether Reigns will return on this significant occasion.

As of now, the chances seem high that the WWE Universe could witness Reigns' return on tonight’s SmackDown. This belief stems from the USA Network promoting the season premiere with Reigns featured in the graphics, signaling that WWE might be hinting at his appearance.

Additionally, the return of the former Undisputed WWE Universal Champion would certainly add more excitement to the show.

Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes is set to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Solo Sikoa in a Steel Cage match tonight. There’s a belief that Roman Reigns could return during this match, potentially costing Sikoa the victory, much like he did at SummerSlam 2024.

This could reignite the tension between Reigns and the new Bloodline, setting the stage for a potential Bloodline Civil War in the near future.

However, Triple H has announced that the Cody vs. Solo match will kick off SmackDown, casting some doubt on whether Reigns will return during this segment. If the match had been scheduled as the main event, it would have strongly hinted at his return.

It’s also possible that WWE has other plans for Roman Reigns' comeback or that he may appear in the SmackDown main event with a different angle rather than interfering in the Steel Cage match. Fans just have to wait a few more hours to see what unfolds on the first episode of SmackDown on the USA Network.

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What is the other way Roman Reigns could return on tonight's SmackDown?

Aside from interfering in the Solo Sikoa vs. Cody Rhodes match, WWE could book Roman Reigns to return during the main event to make a major announcement. In this scenario, the Original Tribal Chief could call out Jacob Fatu or Solo Sikoa, challenging them to a match at Bad Blood 2024.

Additionally, Roman could demand a WrestleMania rematch against Cody Rhodes, affirming his intent to reclaim the Undisputed Championship, especially if the new Bloodline fails in the Steel Cage match.

Both angles are great ways to bring Roman Reigns back to television, rather than having him return during the kickoff of SmackDown in an Undisputed title match.