John Cena WWE
John Cena is set to return to "Monday Night Raw" for the first time in over two months. Getty

John Cena and Brock Lesnar are the biggest stars in WWE, but neither wrestler has appeared on “Monday Night Raw” in quite some time. That will change with the 2016 Royal Rumble approaching, since both wrestlers will be a major part of the road to WrestleMania 32.

Cena hasn’t been seen on WWE TV since the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view on Oct. 25, but the 15-time world champion is set to make his return. He’s advertised to appear on the upcoming edition of “Raw” on Dec. 28.

Cena will get his rematch for the United States Championship after losing the title to Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio was a surprise challenger at Hell in a Cell, having not appeared on WWE TV in over a year. He defeated Cena clean at the PPV after he was introduced by Zeb Coutler.

It doesn’t seem likely that Cena will regain the title, since he’s headed for bigger things at WrestleMania 32. He could face The Undertaker in the Deadman’s final WWE match, or possibly take on Roman Reigns in a match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Lesnar’s last appearance on WWE TV also came at Hell in a Cell. He defeated The Undertaker in their second match of 2015, getting revenge for his loss at SummerSlam. But he did wrestle at a WWE live event on Dec. 19, and his return to TV isn’t far off.

Paul Heyman appeared at the Slammys on Monday, and he indicated that Lesnar might come back soon. He’ll almost certainly make an appearance at the Royal Rumble, and he could be back on “Raw” by the beginning of 2016. Lesnar is considered the favorite to win the Royal Rumble match and face Reigns for the company’s No.1 title at WresleMania 32.

Seth Rollins didn’t appear on “Raw” for nearly two months after a torn ACL forced him to vacate the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in early November. The Architect of The Shield returned on Monday to accept his Slammy award for WWE Superstar of the Year, making his way out to the stage on crutches.

After pinning Reigns to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31, Rollins held the title for 221 days, defeating the likes of Cena, Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton, Kane and Sting in championship matches. His injury is expected to keep him off the WrestleMania 32 card.

RELATED STORIES