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Absent WWE SmackDown Stars Set To Return Before SummerSlam

By Faiz Ahmed • Published Jun 11, 2026 21:09 EDT
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WWE Logo outside its office (Image Source-WWE.com)

WWE WrestleMania gives the promotion a chance to refresh its content and develop new, exciting storylines, as it generally serves as the culmination of the previous year’s stories.

While not all rivalries end at the Show of Shows, the Premium Live Event is often used to signal the end of a rivalry, rather than the beginning of one. Like many previous years, several storylines came to an end at WrestleMania 42.

Roman Reigns put an end to his feud with CM Punk this past April to become a World Champion once again, but that wasn’t the case with the other World Title that was featured on the show.

Randy Orton challenged Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event of Night One of WrestleMania 42, but was unsuccessful in capturing the gold. Following their match, it was clear that things are far from over between the two.

Former WWE Champions expected to return soon

Randy Orton unleashed a brutal assault on Cody Rhodes after he was defeated by the American Nightmare, which ended with The Viper punting Rhodes and posing with the Undisputed WWE Championship.

However, that has proved to be his last in appearance in the promotion till now. Orton has been missing from television since the Showcase of the Immortals, but recently made a public appearance outside of the squared circle.

The Viper isn’t the only one who hasn’t been seen since WrestleMania 42, as his former rival, Drew McIntyre has also been absent from WWE television since losing to Jacob Fatu in April. The Scottish Warrior has since been busy filming the Highlander reboot.

There seems to be some good news for their fans recently as WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select revealed that the duo might be close to a return. The report stated that a circular went around WWE internally which included both Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre for the promotion’s SummerSlam plans.

The report also claimed WWE expects both men to be ready in time for SummerSlam 2026. Interestingly enough, Orton and McIntyre faced each other at SummerSlam 2025 in a tag team match that also involved Jelly Roll and Logan Paul.

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