WWE Bad Blood is set to make its long-awaited return to the company’s PLE calendar on October 5, ending a 20 year absence.
The event obviously holds nostalgic value, but this new reboot also has the potential to be one of the company’s most memorable of the year, with several grudge matches taking place at long last.
While the matches alone will be enough to make Bad Blood stand tall, what can only help its standing in the memories of fans is by providing plenty of talking points.
And there are few moments that can stir up conversation quite like a big return. So with that said here are eight big returns we could see take place at WWE Bad Blood 2024.
8. Jimmy Uso
The return most expect to see at WWE Bad Blood would have to be Jimmy Uso, with it seeming like a matter of time before we see the multi-time former tag team champion back in The Bloodline fold.
Obviously this time Jimmy will be firmly fighting against The Bloodline rather than throwing the one up to the sky, joining Roman Reigns’ side ahead of a major War Games match at Survivor Series.
Despite Jimmy reportedly being ready to return, his father Rikishi would offer a concerning update on social media earlier this week that called into question his health status.
However, Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp would later report that, according to WWE sources, Jimmy said he’s doing fine despite Rikishi’s tweet suggesting otherwise. So hopefully all is in fact well and we see Jimmy return at Bad Blood to officially join the fight against Solo Sikoa’s crew.
7. Raquel Rodriguez
Aside from a brief return in February, Raquel Rodriguez has been off WWE TV throughout 2024 thus far.
The reasoning for this has seemingly been her battle with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, a condition that causes anaphylaxis to occur such as hives, swelling, low blood pressure and difficulty breathing.
The severity of this has made any prediction on a WWE return very difficult, as obviously the former NXT Women’s Champion’s health comes first and foremost.
If a return does happen, then Bad Blood would be a perfect stage for it, particularly with Rodriguez’s former tag team partner Liv Morgan in dire need of some extra assistance when she defends her Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley.
6. John Cena
Now, we all know that John Cena’s big retirement tour doesn’t start until 2025, however, what’s to say he doesn’t make one of his trademark surprise PLE appearances before it truly gets underway?
After all, Cena is going to need rivalries and opponents for his final WWE year, so perhaps the first name on the list can be set up in Atlanta?
As for who this could be, well there’s no shortage of options. Perhaps as an introductory opponent, Cena could start with a Grayson Waller or someone of the like, a guy he already has history with.
Sure, it’s not very interesting but Cena could also maybe be the one to finally drive that wedge between Waller and Cena’s old foe Austin Theory that can get Mr. A-Town Down to see the light and turn babyface.
5. Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins
Not long after returning from a two month hiatus in June, Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins was taken off TV once again shortly after SummerSlam, with ‘Big’ Bronson Reed kicking off his recent path of destruction with The Visionary.
While Reed will be Rollins’ first target upon returning, there is also his unfinished business with both Drew McIntyre and CM Punk, which will inevitably pick up at some point between now and WrestleMania season.
So, for a Rollins Bad Blood return there are several options on the table, and it seems likely that this will be coming soon, especially once Reed is done with Braun Strowman.
While not booked yet, there is always chance WWE have that final blowoff match between the big men in Atlanta, setting up a no brainer of a return for Rollins.
4. Charlotte Flair
With it almost being a year since Charlotte Flair last competed in a WWE ring, anticipation for her return is now at its highest.
This has been aided by Flair’s stream of updates on social media throughout her recovery from knee surgery, with The Queen seemingly edging closer to coming back based on her capabilities in each workout video she posts.
With Nia Jax set to defend her WWE Women’s Championship at Bad Blood, many have theorised that we could see Flair back during or after this match.
What has cooled the rumors, however, is a recent report from Fightful Select which stated that WWE may delay Flair’s return due to the severity of her injury. Obviously this is the right thing to do, but it won’t do much to quell fans’ expectation that we could still see the 14-time champion back at Bad Blood.
3. Shotzi
Speaking of returning from serious knee surgery, Shotzi also sadly got struck down with an ACL injury not long after Charlotte Flair did, having been out of action since February as a result.
Nine months was a predicted timeline for a Shotzi return due to the severity of the injury, so Bad Blood would bring us around the time the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion would be expected back.
That’s providing all has been well with the recovery, as these estimations may not be accurate right now. Despite that, there has been at least one sign that something may be in store for Shotzi soon.
WWE recently filed a trademark for Shotzi’s former name: ‘Shotzi Blackheart’, suggesting perhaps that a return could be near and maybe even a return to that name. If so, then Bad Blood may be the stage we see it happen.
2. Becky Lynch
Unlike everyone else on this list Becky Lynch is technically not even under contract with WWE at this point in time, having departed the company at the end of her contract in June.
This makes her return a real wildcard, however, what seems unanimously agreed upon is Lynch will be returning at some point, with The Man thought to be taking a hiatus from WWE rather than departing in search of work elsewhere.
That’s further evident by the fact that Lynch still remains on WWE’s roster page, something not seen with others that have departed this year such as Bobby Lashley.
The latest update from WRKD Wrestling stated it was only a “matter of time” before we see Big Time Becks back in WWE, so perhaps Bad Blood could be the stage? Perhaps during or after the Women’s World Championship match between Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley.
1. The Rock
With Roman Reigns now back on WWE TV, all attention will soon turn to The Final Boss The Rock.
Rock is likely to make his presence known in time for the big WWE Raw move to Netflix at the start of 2025 to kick that off in the biggest way possible and start the road to WrestleMania.
However, he could also get involved before then, even if it’s a one-off simply to tease something bigger coming up soon.
Rock could show up at Bad Blood for something involving the Bloodline, Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, and fans would have enough questions that need answering to make his eventual return for Netflix even more exciting.
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