Report: John Cena's Return Being Discussed Within WWE

John Cena hasn't stepped inside a WWE ring since WrestleMania 36, but the 16-time world champion could be returning soon. 

According to Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, Cena's return is being discussed within WWE, with the July 16 edition of Friday Night SmackDown being put down as a possible date. 

Cena will reportedly be free to appear on that date, according to PWInsider, as production of the HBO series Peacemaker wraps up on July 6. 

The Doctor Of Thuganomics plays the titular character and he noted back in February that production of the show meant there was "no mathematical way" he would be at WrestleMania 37, making it the first 'Mania Cena had missed since 2002. 

The former WWE Champion's possible return coincides with WWE going back on the road. The company's first show outside of the ThunderDome setting will be on July 16 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas and will begin a 25-city touring schedule until September 6. Tickets for the July 16 show go on sale on Wednesday, May 26.