Nikki Bella – 2016 – SummerSlam
Nikki Bella would make her return from her serious neck injury at SummerSlam in 2016. She was out for ten months after being the longest
Her return would be as the third member of the heel team that included Natalya and Alexa Bliss in a six-woman tag team match. She replaced Eva Marie. They faced the team of Naomi, Becky Lynch, and Carmella. Nikki would win the match for her team as she pinned Carmella. This would spark her returning feud with Carmella.
Mickie James – 2017 – SmackDown
Technically Mickie James made her return to WWE by taking on Asuka one-on-one at NXT TakeOver: Toronto for the NXT Women’s Championship at the tail end of 2016. This would be her first time in a WWE ring since 2010. Asuka would retain her title and James would go on to sign a new multi-year deal with the company.
Her return to WWE programming occurred in January of 2017 just weeks before the Royal Rumble. On SmackDown Alexa Bliss had to defend her title against the former and inaugural champion, Becky Lynch. This would take place in a steel cage.
For weeks there was someone under a mask, La Luchadora, who had been helping Bliss. This mystery accomplice would yet again appear during this steel cage match. She would provide to be beneficial as her interference helped Bliss retain her championship gold. She would then reveal herself to be James by removing her mask.
James is currently out of action due to an ACL injury. She had surgery in July and has been commentary for Main Event recently. Her recovery is stated to have her out until the end of her contract. There has been no word yet on if she will re-sign. If she does then this will make another great return in 2020.
