Spoiler: Tonight's WWE SmackDown could see a highly anticipated return

The episode of Friday Night SmackDown tonight promises to be one of the most unpredictable of the year. According to BodySlam.net, Ilja Dragunov will make his long-awaited return to the ring tonight and he will do it in a big way: facing Sami Zayn for the United States Championship.

Dragunov has been out of action since September 2024, when he suffered a anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during his brutal match against Gunther. His style made him one of the most respected wrestlers in the company, and his absence has been deeply felt both in NXT and on the main roster.

Nicknamed the “Mad Dragon”, Dragunov is known for his ferocity and superhuman endurance. With Zayn in top form and Dragunov hungry for redemption, tonight's match promises to be one of the most physical of the year, if it comes to fruition. It is worth noting that last week, Nakamura also used Zayn's trampoline to return to action.

Below you can see the confirmed card for WWE SmackDown, an event that will take place at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA.

WWE SmackDown Card October 17, 2025