Original Plans For Becky Lynch's Return At WWE SummerSlam 2021 Reportedly Revealed

Becky Lynch was reportedly always scheduled for some sort of live appearance at WWE SummerSlam 2021, but the absence of Sasha Banks led to a 'last-minute' decision to have The Man win the SmackDown Women's Championship.

Lynch surprisingly returned to WWE this past Saturday at SummerSlam, having not been seen since announcing her pregnancy in May 2020. The WrestleMania-35 main eventer would dispatch of Carmella, challenge Bianca Belair to an impromptu match, before defeating her in less than 30 seconds to win the SmackDown Women's Title.

Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast is reporting that Lynch was initially booked to make some form of appearance in front of the live crowd at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas but, as it became apparent that Belair's originally advertised opponent, Banks, would not be able to compete, WWE made a late change to have Lynch face the Champion instead.

Zarian said: "I was told this was not gonna be the ending, obviously. She was gonna show up on this card. Becky Lynch was always gonna come out for this live crowd. That was not something that was last minute.

"The title change was the difference, that was something new. That was not planned…that was an adjustment, they made it and we’ll see where it goes on Friday."

Lynch is set to return to WWE television on Friday Night SmackDown this week, amid reports The Man will be working as a heel on the blue brand at her own request.