Looks like the suspense surrounding Brock Lesnar's mystery opponent at WWE SummerSlam 2016 will finally be over this Thursday on SmackDown.

WWE Superstar Randy Orton who has been on hiatus from the squared ring for 11 months citing a shoulder surgery, is all set to go to the WWE Performance Center next week and start working out in a bid to be medically fit for his return. "The Viper" will step into the four-sided ring later this summer, PWInsider reported.

Although the World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. has not yet confirmed this, rumors are running rampant that Orton could be announced as Brock Lesnar's opponent for the fast-approaching WWE SummerSlam 2016.

Taking into consideration that top WWE superstars including John Cena and AJ Styles are currently involved in high-profile feuds, it looks like Lesnar's next foe will be far from obvious.

Besides, it seems as if the professional wrestling company is keen on announcing Lesnar's SummerSlam opponent before "The Beast" steps into the octagon to face Mark Hunt in his upcoming fight at UFC 200.

This is in a bid to ensure Lesnar will be at SummerSlam even if he loses to Hunt.

No doubt, a huge loss at what seems to be shaping up as UFC's biggest show till date before his return to one of WWE's biggest PPV (pay per view), would mean his credibility as well as momentum both takes a major hit.

With the announcement coming just ahead of WWE's next PPV "Battleground," it's obvious there aren't too many definitive favorites for Lesnar's big SummerSlam antagonist.

Will "The Beast Incarnate" lock horns with someone he has already feuded with earlier? Will he go toe-to-toe with someone he has never faced before? Or will the WWE chose another part-timer as his big SummerSlam opponent?

Lesnar's match will be one of the biggest draws on the SummerSlam 2016 card and WWE will be promoting it as a top match. The WWE Universe will need to wait and see who gets to feud with Lesnar, who is currently WWE's biggest attraction.

While Lesnar's SummerSlam opponent is slated to be unveiled on this week's SmackDown, let's take a look at five potential opponents for the "Mayor of Suplex City."

Kevin Owens

Since Lesnar is still being booked as a babyface, there are possibilities that he might be facing a top heel like Owens at the upcoming SummerSlam 2016.

With Owen's feud with Sami Zayn finally coming to an end at "Battleground" and considering that they will probably end up on different brands following the imminent WWE Draft, it's obvious that Owens need a major feud and a rivalry with Lesnar seems perfect.

The WWE Universe would love to see Owens lock horns with The Beast's advocate, Paul Heyman on the microphone. Besides, Owens is one of the few rostered WWE superstars that could beat Lesnar inside the squared ring and make it look believable, Forbes reported.

Seth Rollins

Just when it looked like the feud between Lesnar and Rollins will hit the next level last year, The Undertaker got involved in their match at WWE Battleground and flared up the feud between two of the greatest WWE superstars till date.

But everything is not over yet. There's more to the story of "The Beast" vs. "The Architect," who ran off with Lesnar's championship title at WrestleMania 31 and only faced him in that short-lived match at Battleground.

Besides, a Lesnar vs. Rollins clash seems fated as "The Beast" would most probably face him at SummerSlam either to avenge his title loss at WrestleMania 31 or simply to win back the WWE Championship if Rollins emerges victorious at Battleground.

Dean Ambrose

The last time Lesnar wrestled, he beat Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania 32. Though the match turned out to be extremely disappointing, it seems logical for Lesnar to go after Ambrose's WWE title since he soundly defeated him just recently. In case, Ambrose retains his championship title at Battleground, it would be really exciting to see the "Lunatic Fringe" go one on one with "The Beast."

Although Lesnar vs. Ambrose at WrestleMania was awkwardly short and did not meet the expectations of the WWE Universe, things could be very different with the WWE title now involved.

Bray Wyatt

WWE Universe anticipated to see Bray Wyatt face "The Beast" at WrestleMania 32, however citing Ambrose's rising popularity, this could not happen and fans got Lesnar vs. Ambrose instead.

WWE has reportedly been working on plans for Wyatt to face Lesnar sometime after WrestleMania 32, which hints an imminent feud. While Wyatt is currently involved in an altercation with the WWE Tag Team Champions, The New Day, he is more beneficial to the company as a top heel rather than a fixture in the tag team scene despite his irregular booking.

Randy Orton

"The Viper" is slated to make a return soon and if rumors doing rounds are anything to go by, he will be added right back into his spot at the top of the card.

It is not clear where exactly he fits though. It remains to be seen if he will return as a babyface or a heel and whether he will be on Raw or SmackDown. Nevertheless, Orton vs. Lesnar would be nothing short of a dream match between two of the most popular WWE stars till date.

Who do you think should face Brock Lesnar SummerSlam? Share your thoughts in the comments below!