There is plenty of speculation regarding who the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion is that’s returning to Impact Wrestling tonight to serve as the special referee for the Kurt Angle versus Eric Young match.
We do know that the champion is not someone currently in TNA but it will not be Sting because he’s appearing in the Wizard World Comic Con in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this weekend and is signed with WWE. Samoa Joe left TNA on his own accord and is trying to sign with WWE so it’s likely it will not be him. Rob Van Dam isn’t expected with the feeling that if shows up anywhere it will be WWE. Mick Foley is also currently working with WWE so he’s not expected. Chris Sabin is another candidate but he also left TNA on his own and recently began working with Ring of Honor.
Regarding AJ Styles possibly returning tonight, there has been ideas pitched within TNA about bringing him back but the feeling is that he won’t be returning due to him having success with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The only other name left is Bully Ray and there’s really nothing stopping him from returning to TNA. It appears WWE is not interested in signing Bully Ray or Team 3D as a tag team at the moment. In addition to the rumors of Bully Ray returning to TNA, there have been rumors of his girlfriend Velvet Sky making her TNA return at this week’s tapings.
