Backstage News: Two Former WWE Champions Set to Return for SummerSlam 2026

Two superstars on the SmackDown roster will reportedly be back in time for the SummerSlam 2026 pay-per-view.

Since losing to Jacob Fatu in an unsanctioned match at night one of WrestleMania 42, former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre has been away from programming to film Highlander in Scotland.

Another former WWE Champion, Randy Orton, has been away since losing his WWE Championship bout to Cody Rhodes at day one of WrestleMania. Last month, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t WrestlingNews.co) that Orton has been on hiatus to recover from an ongoing back injury.

Fortunately, it sounds like the two superstars will be back for WWE's second-biggest pay-per-view event.

According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, Orton and McIntyre's names were recently included on an internal WWE document for SummerSlam.

At this time, it looks like they'll be involved in the pay-per-view, set for the Aug. 1-2 weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton Squared off at SummerSlam 2025

At SummerSlam 2025, McIntyre and Logan Paul teamed up in a winning effort against Orton and Jelly Roll.

WWE gave McIntyre a major push after their victory, entering a program with Rhodes. McIntyre would go on to win his third WWE Championship on the Jan. 9 episode of SmackDown, though Rhodes reclaimed it on the March 6 episode.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 10:20 PM.