Samoa Joe hasn't been seen in the WWE for months because of a knee injury, but prior to that, he was one of the main superstars in Monday Night RAW's main title picture for the Universal Championship.

The Destroyer has already faced Brock Lesnar twice for the Universal title since making his debut on the main roster in January earlier this year, as he took on The Beast in losing efforts at Great Balls of Fire and as part of the fatal-four way match at SummerSlam against Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and Braun Strowman.

However, since injuring his knee in late August, Joe has been kept out of the main event picture and off WWE TV. Earlier this week, there were reports stating he could be returning to the ring soon.

Some news outlets suggested that WWE originally planned for Samoa Joe to be the fifth member of The Miz's team against The Shield at TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs this weekend. This wasn't true though, as plans have been in place for the past two weeks for Kane to be in the match.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has said, via Ringside News, that this was what WWE wanted their fans to think before they revealed the fifth man was to be in fact The Devil's Favourite Demon.

Yet, Meltzer did state Joe is ready to go at any time now, meaning his return from injury could happen at any point, possibly as early as the pay-per-view this Sunday.

Considering the TLC pay-per-view could be severely affected by a virus currently going around WWE superstars, there is a chance The Destroyer could be used to take someone's place on the card if they are too sick to work.

More than likely though, if the reports are true and Joe is able to perform once more, his return to the WWE could take place as early as this coming Monday night on RAW, so long as creative has found a storyline for him to be involved with.

Joe hasn't wrestled since he tag-teamed with The Miz against John Cena and Reigns the night after SummerSlam, so if he is able to return to the frame this week, a lot of WWE fans are going to be happy.