When Will Roman Reigns Return To WWE? Here's What We Know

Roman Reigns is set to return to the WWE ring next week, and the company has also announced two title matches.

Reigns, who has held the Universal title for over 800 days, will appear on WWE TV on Dec. 16's SmackDown episode, according to TJRWrestling. The Tribal Chief has not featured in WWE since the Bloodline, whose leader is Reigns, defeated Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre, and The Brawling Brutes at Survivor Series WarGames last month.

With Sami Zayn now officially ingrained in the Bloodline, the group has been riding high. Zayn has even found camaraderie in Jey Uso, the man who distrusted him from the beginning. The Usos – Jey and Jimmy - are riding high on two successful Tag Team Title defenses in the past week.

Jey has also asked Zayn to get a haircut and trim his beard ahead of the upcoming episode of SmackDown in Chicago, saying that the upcoming week is going to be a big one as the Head of the Table is set to make a comeback on WWE after being away for a few weeks, according to Wrestletalk.

The episode will also have two title matches, with Gunther set to defend his Intercontinental Championship against SmackDown World Cup winner Ricochet and Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox taking on Dakota Kai and IYO SKY of Damage CTRL for the Women's Tag Team Championship.

A Triple Threat tag team match has also been announced, pitting Hit Row against the Viking Raiders and Legado Del Fantasma.

Meanwhile, Reigns, the Undisputed WWE and Universal Champion, is currently recovering from an injury. He is dealing with a ruptured eardrum injury, just like McIntyre. While it is not believed to be a serious injury, it is still uncertain if Reigns would wrestle before next month's Royal Rumble.

There have also been rumors about Reigns' possible historic meeting with The Rock at next year's WrestleMania. While many believe triumphing over The Rock would be crucial for Reigns' growing WWE career, wrestling booker and writer Vince Russo has suggested otherwise.

"You're not going to get Roman Reigns more over than he is now. And it's not like he has wrestled patsies. He's been in there against Lesnar and the best. Him beating The Rock, a guy that hasn't wrestled in god knows how many years; he's a lot younger, he's wrestling every week, Rock is just getting going to come out of retirement. Bro, I just don't think it does for Reigns what they may think it's going to do for Reigns," said Russo.