‘SummerSlam’ Rumors: Chris Jericho’s Return Date, Brock Lesnar’s Opponent, Shane McMahon To Face Former Champ

The hottest months of the year haven’t even arrived yet, but WWE is already starting to plan its huge SummerSlam pay-per-view (PPV), and rumors are beginning to swirl. A number of PPVs will take place between now and the end of the summer but planning one of the biggest shows of the year always takes time. The way things are going, it looks as if there will be a big return in time for SummerSlam, and two matches are already seemingly in place.

Yes, it is still really early to talk about SummerSlam and what could be on the card, but some matches are already rumored, and that includes the main event. Brock Lesnar is the WWE Universal Champion, and he is scheduled to be at the big PPV, but his opponent is one that the company has been trying to keep quiet.

It was always meant to be Braun Strowman but his recent injury was reported to be worse than expected and he could miss 4-6 months. According to Bleacher Report, WWE’s update on Strowman’s injury is actually a work and his return time was overly exaggerated so that he could return sooner and shock the fans.

Once he’s back, it is rumored that he will be put into a program with Lesnar to set up the SummerSlam main event.

One other veteran superstar who could have a big match at SummerSlam is a guy who just recently left the company, and that is Chris Jericho.

Jericho just lost the United States Championship to Kevin Owens earlier this month, and he is currently on tour with his band, Fozzy. They are set to tour most of the summer and even head to the United Kingdom for a few dates, but he’ll be back in WWE before you know it.

According to The Sun, Jericho is already scheduled for two live shows in Tokyo, Japan near the middle of the summer on June 30 and July 1.

Now, some may think that he could just be coming back for a short stint, but the timing of these dates actually works out. The official website for Fozzy shows that the final date of their summer tour is on June 24 in Seattle.

Speaking of returns, there is another superstar who may make his return to the ring soon, and it could be to set up another huge match at SummerSlam.

Rusev has been out of action since before the Superstar Shake-Up in early April, and it is due to the shoulder surgery he had in March. Now, he has started spouting off on Twitter about being ignored by SmackDown Live commissioner Shane McMahon.

If you don’t want to reply to me @shanemcmahon, I come to #SDLive to get my answer. #RusevReturn pic.twitter.com/Ddu6QOSDh6

— Rusev The Ruler (@RusevBUL) May 9, 2017

Cageside Seats is reporting that Rusev’s focus on Shane McMahon is so that WWE could set up a match between the two at SummerSlam. Everyone knows that Shane wrestles from time to time and that it is usually AT the bigger PPVs, so this makes sense.

It was expected that Rusev would be back on SmackDown Live this week as he threatened on Twitter, but he was nowhere to be found. While WWE didn’t say anything about it, the brute did give his own reasoning for his absence.

Sorry #SmackDownLIVE I had to make the @PredsNHL game. See you when I see you.

— Rusev The Ruler (@RusevBUL) May 17, 2017

SummerSlam is still three full months away, and anything could possibly happen in the amount of time it takes to get there. Braun Strowman may not heal enough to get in the ring with Brock Lesnar by that time. Shane McMahon and Rusev could face off much earlier than that at a different event. Chris Jericho may only come back for a short time and not want to be back on TV just yet. That’s the beauty of WWE rumors as you never know exactly what may come true.

[Featured Image by WWE]