Roman Reigns Return, 2 Title Matches Set For 12/16 WWE SmackDown

WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns will make his return next Friday night on SmackDown, on a card with three announced matches, two of them for championships.

Reigns makes his first appearance since he and The Bloodline were victorious in WarGames at Survivor Series. Reigns is presently sidelined with a ruptured eardrum sustained in that match, but isn't expected to miss much time.

Also set for Friday's card is an Intercontinental title bout pitting Gunther against Ricochet. Ricochet earned the title match by winning last Friday night's SmackDown World Cup final.

In addition, Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox will challenge WWE Women's Tag Team champs Damage CTRL. Morgan and Nox earned the match by defeating Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey on Friday.

There will also be a triple threat tag team match, involving Hit Row, The Viking Raiders, and Legado Del Fantasma.

The current card for next Friday's WWE SmackDown, taking place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, includes the following:

* WWE Intercontinental: Gunther (c) vs. Ricochet

* WWE Women's Tag: Damage CTRL (c) vs. Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox

* Hit Row vs. The Viking Raiders vs. Legado del Fantasma

* Undisputed WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns returns