WWE 2016 Rumors: Update on Luke Harper, WWE Women Returns; Emma Going to SmackDown?
WWE 's up-and-coming New Era roster was depleted by numerous injuries and suspensions.As of press time, inaugural—now former—WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor is still ruled out of competition. The independent standout-turned-Raw headliner left SummerSlam 2016 not just with a new title, but also a shoulder injury that forced him to vacate the belt the next day.
For some superstars, however, their luck may have finally took a good turn as they are set to return to WWE. Luke Harper of the Wyatt Family and a host of other sidelined competitors may see themselves back into the ring.
Luke Harper
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The bruiser of The Wyatt Family was sidelined prior to WrestleMania 32, and had since been missed by fans of the creepy redneck stable. The faction had since parted ways, mainly Braun Strowman who made a name for himself on Monday Night Raw by destroying lightweight jobbers in singles matches. Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan, meanwhile, still have an alliance, albeit shaky.
This situation makes the prospect of Harper's return even more interesting, as fans to speculate on which brand he will go and what role will he take. He is reportedly cleared to compete, and had appeared backstage on Raw last Monday.
The Women's Revolution
The Women's Division on both brands had been on a hot streak of late, slowly gaining main event status in the male-dominated business. Charlotte currently holds the Raw Women's Championship as a heel alpha female, while babyfaces Sasha Banks and Bayley chase her for the belt.
Meanwhile on SmackDown Live, another babyface, Becky Lynch, holds the SmackDown Women's Championship. Her No. 1 contender is Alexa Bliss, who recently became the top heel of the blue brand's Women's Division.
But some standouts of the division are looking to return and compete with the current top names. One of them is Emma, another heel who was embroiled in a feud with Lynch. The animosity between the two could bring Emma to SmackDown now that she is cleared to come back—especially since her Zach Ryder is also in the brand.
Eva Marie, whose return had been anticipated for a while now, would have to stay out for longer as she had reportedly accepted a role in a Nicholas Cage film. Her Hollywood run, much like The Rock's, is expected to be exploited as an angle when she does come back.
Eva Marie's 30-day suspension had already been lifted, and so is Paige's. The former Divas Champion was also spotted backstage on Raw.
