6 Returns At WWE Night Of Champions 2026

Published: 2 hours ago by SP3 | Last Updated: 2 hours ago by SP3

Born in Harlem, New York and now living in the Bronx, Sid Pullar III aka SP3 is a lifelong wrestling fan who has been covering the industry for over nine years as a podcaster and writer. His passion for the industry has been documented with over 3,000 videos on YouTube and 8,000 written pieces across multiple outlets, such as WrestleTalk, Sports Illustrated and more.

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WWE

At WWE Night of Champions 2026, fans will see the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, but they may also see some notable returns to the company.

Looking at the injured list and certain stars who have been missing from WWE TV, there are some huge names that might be on their way back to the promotion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

From former world champions to bonafide legends, the stars who could return at Night of Champions 2026 can drastically alter the landscape of WWE moving forward.

Here are six potential returns at WWE Night of Champions 2026.

6. Sheamus

Sheamus has recently taken to social media and been teasing his in-ring comeback after over six months on the sidelines following shoulder surgery.

“The Celtic Warrior” has long been one of the most consistent and reliable in-ring performers in the company and has been sorely missed.

While he recently had a nasty gym accident, this might not be enough to stop Sheamus from making his comeback sooner rather than later.

With WWE Night of Champions 2026 on the horizon, Sheamus could make a return to the company and insert himself in a prominent spot against one of the top talents on the roster.

5. Drew McIntyre

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in an Unsanctioned Match.

Since this loss, “The Scottish Warrior” has not been seen on WWE television with no signs of his return.

Considering he has been away to film a new Highlander movie and it recently wrapped, McIntyre could potentially make his way back at some point.

McIntyre making his return at WWE Night of Champions 2026 could see him once again reassert himself in the Undisputed WWE Championship picture.

4. Stephanie Vaquer

At the WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One premium live event, Liv Morgan defeated Stephanie Vaquer to win the WWE Women’s World Championship.

Then on the April 27 edition of Monday Night Raw, Morgan and The Judgment Day jumped Vaquer backstage.

This attack led to “La Primera” being sidelined with an AC joint sprain injury in her shoulder and being placed on the shelf ever since.

Vaquer returning could see her costing Liv the Queen of the Ring Finals against either IYO SKY or Raquel Rodriguez at WWE Night of Champions 2026.

3. Bronson Reed

Ahead of WWE Elimination Chamber 2026, Bronson Reed suffered a bicep tear that has kept him sidelined ever since.

Before his injury, it looked like Reed was on the cusp of a huge opportunity in the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match.

Being a member of The Vision, Reed has every chance to return to WWE in a major way whenever the time is right for his comeback.

Reed coming back to reunite with The Vision could lead to him replacing his stablemate Logan Paul as World Tag Team Champion with Austin Theory.

2. Randy Orton

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

After his loss, “The Legend Killer” viciously attacked Rhodes with a title belt shot to the head and a Punt Kick to his rival.

Following a few months on the sidelines, fans could see Orton make his return at the WWE Night of Champions 2026 premium live event.

Orton making his return to immediately reinsert himself into the main event mix would be fitting and see him challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship one more time.

1. CM Punk

Another major star who suffered a big time loss at WrestleMania 42 was none other than CM Punk.

At “The Grandest Stage of Them All,” Punk lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns in the Night Two main event.

While it looked like he was setting up a program with Cody Rhodes on the WWE Raw After Mania 42, Punk has been absent from the company’s programming in the months since.

“The Best In The World” feels like the biggest star that has been sorely missed since Mania and could make an impactful comeback at the WWE Night of Champions 2026 show.