Will ‘The Lunatic Fringe’ Return to WWE at SummerSlam 2026?
During the June 30th episode of Monday Night Raw, it was confirmed that Seth Rollins will be challenging World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns with the title on the line at SummerSlam. When Rollins confronted ‘The OTC’ in the ring, ‘The Visionary’ referred to Reigns as his brother and even referenced their days in The Shield before Rollins turned his back on the group, striking Reigns in the back with a steel chair, claiming he has always dominated ‘The OTC’ since that moment back in 2014. There have been multiple rumors online that Jon Moxley’s contract is close to expiring in AEW, and he could return to WWE as ‘The Lunatic Fringe’ Dean Ambrose as either a special guest referee for the World Heavyweight Championship match or interfere at the end of the match. Could the rumors be true, or is the internet wrestling community pleading for ‘The Lunatic Fringe’ to be back in WWE?
In AEW, Moxley has established himself as a main event star, holding the AEW World Championship four times, while also being a former AEW International Champion and the current AEW Continental Champion. As he currently holds a title in AEW, it becomes more and more uncertain whether or not he’ll leave and come back to WWE. Within his time in WWE from 2011 to 2019, ‘The Lunatic Fringe’ was a former WWE Champion, three-time Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion, two-time Raw Tag Team Champion, and a former Money in the Bank winner. A return to WWE for Moxley would have the WWE Universe going berserk, especially the ones who get to see it live in Minneapolis.
A potential return for Moxley could help culminate a satisfying conclusion to each of The Shield members’ respective careers. Both Rollins and Reigns will sooner or later pass the torch to the younger generation of WWE superstars who are ready to make their mark. Having Moxley back allows WWE to show fans what they’ve been missing for seven years, and while we may see a toned-down version of ‘The Lunatic Fringe’ compared to what’s happening in AEW, Moxley will be able to make it work, given how much of a main event star he’s become over the last several years in AEW. Of course, it depends on how WWE treats him professionally and if they use him correctly as a talent. If Moxley feels confident in WWE’s storytelling, we could see his return as imminent as SummerSlam 2026.
