Two Former WWE Superstars Expected To Return Once Impact Contracts Expire

Two of Impact Wrestling's biggest current stars could be returning to WWE once their current contracts expire, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Bobby Lashley and Ethan Carter III are expected to leave the promotion once their deals are finished, and are apparently likely to return to WWE's fold.

Lashley enjoyed the greater success of the two during his time under Vince McMahon. He made his main roster debut on SmackDown in 2005, but was released in 2008 after a six-month absence from injury. His time there is probably best remembered for his part in the 'Battle of the Billionaires' at WrestleMania 23.

There, Lashley represented Donald Trump, defeated Vince McMahon's champion Umaga, and helped shave the WWE owner's head as per the match stipulation.

He is also a two-time former ECW Champion, and held the United States Championship during his initial SmackDown run. He has also found considerable success in Impact, holding the company's world title on four occasions, as well as enjoying reigns with the X-Division and King of the Mountain championships.

EC3 is Impact's current Grand Champion. He's also held the company's world title (twice), but never met such success in WWE. He had a few SmackDown appearances, but never as a regular member of the main roster. His most notable stint was as Derrick Bateman on the third season of NXT, where he was mentored by Daniel Bryan.

Should these reports be true, it'll be interesting to see whether the pair appear on the main roster or are introduced via NXT. Lashley was once thought of as a future main event star, but other wrestlers of such pedigree have appeared in NXT first - most notably Drew McIntyre.

There is no exact word on when these contracts expire, but the Observer's report seemed to suggest that moves could occur in the near future.