WWE has announced that John Cena will return to television on the December 27, 2016 episode of Smackdown from Chicago, Illinois.
It’ll be Cena’s first appearance on WWE television since losing to AJ Styles at No Mercy on October 9, 2016. Cena has been away filming the second season of the reality competition American Grit and he also hosted this past weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live.
Cena worked some dark matches and live events after the loss at No Mercy but has been absent from television in order to properly write him out of storylines.
John’s role in WWE is changing as he’s moving into the role of a part-time talent, where he can pursue a multitude of outside opportunities. He's maintained that he will continue to be loyal to WWE but he knows that he cannot wrestle forever. John is tapped to star in Kay Cannon’s directorial debut, “The Pact" alongside Leslie Mann and Ike Barinholtz.
Source: wrestlingnewsworld.com