Tiffany Stratton, the former Women’s Champion, has officially been cleared to return to WWE after nearly two months sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Last seen losing her title to Jade Cargill at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLI, Stratton is expected to make a significant impact at WrestleMania 42. Reports suggest she may seek retribution against Cargill, who allegedly caused her injury during a recent heel turn.
Although the exact timing of Stratton’s return to weekly WWE programming remains uncertain, speculation points to a surprise appearance at the Royal Rumble, scheduled later this month in Saudi Arabia. This potential comeback would coincide with WWE’s ongoing European tour, adding further anticipation for her reentry into the ring.
Current Status of the 2026 Royal Rumble Event in Saudi Arabia
The 2026 Royal Rumble is planned to take place in a new stadium currently under construction in Saudi Arabia, deviating from previous events held at the Kingdom Arena or King Fahd Stadium. Although photos of the unfinished arena circulated on social media, sparking rumors of a possible postponement, sources from PWInsider confirm the venue will be ready before January 31, ensuring the event proceeds as scheduled.
Nick Aldis’ Role in WWE and Wrestling Prospects
Nick Aldis, the General Manager of WWE SmackDown and a respected figure from the independent wrestling scene with championship accolades from NWA and TNA, remains involved primarily in an on-screen authority role. Recently, Aldis confirmed on the podcast Keepin’ It 100 that there have been no backstage discussions about his return to in-ring competition.
“It’s not really been talked about one way or the other,” Aldis admitted. But when asked if he’d like to wrestle again, he didn’t hesitate: “Of course, dude.” – Nick Aldis, WWE SmackDown General Manager
Leon Slater’s Expanding Role Within WWE NXT and European Tours
Leon Slater, currently holding the TNA X-Division Championship, has gained increased exposure through his appearances on WWE’s NXT brand. Recently, he challenged for the NXT Championship but fell short against Oba Femi, whose match appeared to be his final NXT outing. Slater also teamed with JeVon Evans on Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII in a World Tag Team Championship match against AJ Styles and Dragon Lee.
Despite these prominent spots, uncertainty remains regarding Slater’s participation in WWE’s main roster and international tours, particularly WWE’s UK segment during their European schedule. Moreover, approval from TNA concerning Slater’s full integration into WWE programming has yet to be confirmed, potentially complicating his future involvement.
Implications of These Developments for WWE’s Upcoming Programming
The clearance of Tiffany Stratton to compete again, combined with her expected showcase at WrestleMania 42, highlights WWE’s commitment to reintegrating key female talent despite recent injury setbacks. Meanwhile, the confirmation that the Royal Rumble will proceed in Saudi Arabia as planned underscores WWE’s persistence in expanding its global footprint with significant live events.
Nick Aldis’ current focus on SmackDown’s authority role, alongside his openness to possibly wrestle again, presents an intriguing dynamic that could evolve depending on company needs. Additionally, the positioning of Leon Slater within WWE’s NXT and potential European tours signals WWE’s interest in nurturing talent with cross-promotional histories, though contractual and approval issues must be resolved first.
Overall, these developments suggest a period of transition and anticipation within WWE, as the company navigates talent returns, event logistics, and international expansion ahead of one of its busiest parts of the year.
Tiffany Stratton is reportedly expected to be prominently showcased heading into WrestleMania 42.
(via @BodyslamNet) pic.twitter.com/FmCoooWJBP
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) January 13, 2026
