Chris Hero Reportedly Returning To WWE

Barring a last minute change, Chris Hero is returning to WWE.

A source in WWE confirmed the news to Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com. Meltzer didn’t say whether he was heading to NXT or the main roster, nor did he give a time frame.

The soon-to-be 37-year-old (real name Chris Spradlin) was in WWE’s developmental system before as Kassius Ohno. He was there in 2012 and 2013. He was released from his contract in November 2013. Following his release, he said he would be back if it was “meant to be.”

“There are a lot of ways I can look at this and, honestly, it won’t serve me at all to be anything BUT positive and optimistic,” Hero wrote on Facebook. “I could sulk. I could point fingers. I could feel sorry for myself. Or, I could channel all my energy into getting back out there, kicking some ass and taking things to the next level. Once upon a time, a close friend of mine named Claudio Castagnoli was released from WWE. Another good friend, Colt Cabana, got his walking papers. The ‘Best in the World’ Bryan Danielson had his contract ‘terminated’. TWICE. These three guys are all CRAZY talented and, on all accounts, are doing rather well for themselves right now, eh? I’m leaving WWE on good terms so, if it’s meant to be, I’m sure I will be back.”

Hero has been active on the independent circuit ever since, putting on great matches worldwide against a multitude of opponents. He has been losing his recent matches and had no bookings set for 2017, which led to speculation that he would be returning to WWE.