Samoa Joe could be close to an in-ring return for WWE if reports of what happened at this week's Monday Night Raw tapings are accurate.

After this week's Raw, WWE taped next week's episode of the red brand in order to give their superstars time off to see their family and friends during Christmas week.

During the climax of the show, Seth Rollins faced off against Rey Mysterio for the United States Championship. The match, however, ended via disqualification after interference from the AOP.

According to reports from fans at the arena, after the match, AOP and Rollins tried to put Mysterio through the announce table, but Samoa Joe wouldn't move away from the table in order to allow them to do it.

As a result, AOP ended up attacking Joe and putting him through the announce table instead to close the show.

The Destroyer getting physical again following his thumb injury could be an indication that he's ready to return to the ring, and that's exactly the case according to reports from PWInsider.

PWInsider has reported that his return is 'imminent', which could mean he's back competing inside a WWE ring before the end of the year.

It looks like as well that once Joe does return, he'll be involved in a feud with Rollins and AOP, possibly teaming up with Mysterio to take them on.

Joe last wrestled for WWE way back in September during the King of the Ring tournament on Raw.

He faced off against Baron Corbin and Ricochet during the semi-finals of the tournament but lost to the eventual winner of the tournament in Corbin.

The Destroyer was drafted to Raw during the most recent WWE Draft, but he's only made appearances on the commentary table since the draft took place.

Fingers crossed Joe returns to the ring for WWE soon and starts to build towards capturing one of the titles on the Raw brand.