2 Major WWE Returns Advertised For 16 July SmackDown

While the card is always subject to change, WWE looks to be loading its SmackDown lineup on 16 July.

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WWE

Sasha Banks and Edge are both being advertised for the 16 July episode of WWE SmackDown in Houston, Texas.

Per EWrestlingNews, the absent duo are being featured in a promotional video currently doing the rounds in the local market, though this shouldn't necessarily be taken as a guarantee that either is going to appear. In WWE, the card is always subject to change.

Edge hasn't appeared on WWE television since WrestleMania 37, where he and Daniel Bryan were simultaneously pinned by Roman Reigns in their Universal Title Triple Threat. It was reported yesterday that Edge's ongoing WWE absence is no more than "planned time off" rather than an injury.

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Banks also suffered a notable WrestleMania 37 defeat, dropping her SmackDown Women's Championship to Bianca Belair in the night one main event. This was her last WWE match of any kind.

The 16 July SmackDown will be WWE's first fully-ticketed live event since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the promotion into empty arenas in March 2020. It forms part of a larger 25-city tour that will run through Labour Day (6 September), though WWE has only announced the first three dates so far.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.