WWE Returns: Former Champions To Come Back After SummerSlam 2016?

Even though the 2016 WWE Draft just took place a few days ago, a few wrestlers that weren’t drafted to either “Monday Night Raw” or “SmackDown” could soon make appearances on WWE programming. Former WWE superstars that haven’t wrestled on a pay-per-view or either of the two shows in quite some time could soon be making their return.

According to PWInsider, both Curt Hawkins and Rhyno will return to the main roster. Hawkins was released from the company in 2014, and Rhyno has been appearing in NXT, though he hasn’t regularly wrestled in WWE in over a decade.

Hawkins, whose real name is Brian Myers, has been wrestling for independent promotions since he left WWE. He made his WWE debut in 2007, eventually winning the tag team championships with Zack Ryder. In addition to his role on TV, Hawkins also trained with The Rock before he made his multiple returns to the ring to face the likes of John Cena and CM Punk.

Rhyno made his name with ECW in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but he wrestled in WWE from 2001-2005. After spending time with TNA, Ring of Honor and other promotions, he began having matches last year. In December, he appeared on “Monday Night Raw” alongside ECW legends Tommy Dreamer and The Dudley Boyz. On Wednesday’s episode of NXT, Rhyno lost to NXT Champion Samoa Joe.

In addition to the return of Hawkins and Rhyno, the longest reigning Divas Champion in history is getting closer to making her way back to a WWE ring. Nikki Bella has been out since late last year with a neck injury, but she posted a picture on Twitter and Instagram that indicates she’s been medically cleared to wrestle.

Nikki has been under contract with WWE, unlike Rhyno and Hawkins, but she was not drafted on Tuesday because of her injury. She made her WWE debut in 2008 with Brie Bella, and returned to the company in 2013 after the Bella Twins took an 11-month hiatus.

If last year is any indication, a few returning wrestlers could make their comebacks after SummerSlam 2016 on Aug. 21. The Dudley Boyz and Sting returned to WWE on the episode of “Raw” immediately following SummerSlam last year.