Salem is about to be turned upside down once again. NBC’s Days of Our Lives has long been a masterclass in twists, betrayals, and unexpected returns, and the latest buzz promises one of

the most thrilling storylines in recent memory: the return of Sloan Peterson, potentially allied with the cunning Gwen Rizzo von Loer and the ever-scheming EJ DiMera.

This explosive narrative is set to redefine power dynamics in Salem, blending psychological intrigue, secretive plots, and personal vendettas that could send shockwaves through multiple families.

Sloan Peterson: A Villain With a Complicated Past

For fans needing a refresher, Sloan Peterson, originally introduced in 2022 and portrayed with intensity by Jessica Surfetty (with a brief stint by Natasha Hall), is far from a one-dimensional villain. A fierce, sharp-witted attorney with a morally ambiguous past, Sloan’s history in Salem is steeped in tragedy, revenge, and complicated alliances.

Born Sloan Bedford to college professors Nathan and Martha Bedford, her life was marked by turmoil early on. The suspicious death of her mother, Martha, during a college rooftop confrontation with Chanel Depri, catalyzed Sloan’s thirst for justice—and vengeance. This traumatic incident would shape Sloan’s entry into Salem years later, setting the stage for a character whose motivations were as intricate as they were dangerous.

Her initial arrival in Salem was explosive: a passionate one-night stand with Alex Kiriakis quickly evolved into professional entanglements, high-stakes legal battles, and personal vendettas. Sloan represented figures such as Leo Stark while simultaneously orchestrating schemes against Chanel and her mother, Paulina Price, whom she blamed for concealing the truth about her mother’s death. Her vendetta extended to evidence tampering, smear campaigns, and alliances with her brother Coen, whose criminal undertakings—including kidnapping and bombing attempts—fueled chaos and cemented the siblings as a formidable force in Salem.

Yet Sloan’s character arc wasn’t defined solely by darkness. Her romance with Eric Brady offered a glimpse of vulnerability and the potential for redemption. What began as a relationship of convenience evolved into marriage, though it was marred by deception, the infamous baby swap, and a web of lies that culminated in her eventual flight from Salem in 2024. This exit left the town reeling—and set the stage for her anticipated return.

EJ DiMera’s Calculated Involvement

Sloan’s connection to EJ DiMera adds another layer of intrigue to her potential comeback. As Salem’s power-hungry mogul, EJ has always operated from a position of calculated self-interest. In the past, he facilitated Sloan’s escape from legal consequences for her crimes, ensuring she owed him a debt—a debt that could be called in at any moment. With his fingers in every corner of Salem’s underworld, EJ’s motivations are never simple. Aligning with Sloan now could serve strategic purposes: leveraging her legal acumen, her knowledge of family secrets, or her penchant for chaos to further his empire.

Recent mentions of Sloan in the show—during conversations involving Eric, Nicole, and others—have fans speculating about her imminent return. Soap opera audiences know that a character doesn’t fade away without purpose; the breadcrumbs are deliberate, priming viewers for a dramatic reentry. Sloan’s reappearance, it seems, may be perfectly timed to intersect with one of Salem’s most mysterious and dangerous current storylines.

Gwen Rizzo von Loer and the Secret Lab Plot

At the heart of this speculation is the ongoing secret lab storyline, which has Salem buzzing with theories. Gwen Rizzo von Loer, portrayed by Emily O’Brien, returned to town in 2025, bringing with her a history of deception, ambition, and grudges that span years. Her alliance with EJ has already been hinted at, centered around a clandestine operation at University Hospital—a facility EJ recently acquired after a series of financial missteps and mysterious departures.

Within the lab, experiments of a shocking and morally ambiguous nature are underway, including resurrection plots and brainwashing attempts. The work—run by a mysterious doctor and possibly involving remnants of Stephano DiMera’s legacy—blurs the line between science and danger, with implications that could touch every corner of Salem. Gwen’s return, coupled with EJ’s resources, has created a web of intrigue that perfectly sets the stage for Sloan’s reemergence.

Sloan’s Potential Role

Sloan’s return could drastically elevate the stakes of this storyline. As a fugitive with a debt owed to EJ and the means to move discreetly, she could act as a legal and strategic facilitator for the secret lab. Her skills might be used to cover up illicit activities, forge critical documents, or defend the operation against external threats, while her personal history with Eric Brady introduces intense emotional stakes. A reunion with Eric could reignite unresolved tensions, spark custody disputes over Jude, or create dramatic confrontations at pivotal moments.

Imagine Sloan navigating Salem under the cover of darkness, meeting with EJ in shadowed corridors, and pledging to “repay her debt”—all while Gwen maneuvers her own agenda. The possibilities for conflict, betrayal, and emotional turmoil are endless. Fan theories are already rampant, suggesting Sloan could leverage the lab for her own purposes: reviving someone pivotal, orchestrating a shocking revenge, or even manipulating events to win back Eric.

Dramatic Potential and Fan Excitement

The dramatic potential is staggering. Sloan’s return could spark cascading conflicts: Eric and Nicole’s fragile family equilibrium tested, Paulina and Chanel facing renewed threats, and EJ’s empire potentially exposed if Sloan’s involvement backfires. Gwen, ever the opportunist, could betray her partners, creating a volatile trio of ambition, vengeance, and personal agendas.

Social media buzz is proof of the anticipation. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit point to Sloan’s recent mentions as definitive signs of a comeback, while speculation about her role in the lab’s resurrection experiments adds layers of mystery. Could she assist in reviving Stephano DiMera, or exploit the lab for personal gain? Every theory adds excitement, and every episode brings new hints.

Emotional Layers and Character Complexity

Beyond the scheming and intrigue, Sloan’s story is deeply human. Her journey from a vengeful sister to a heartbroken wife highlights emotional complexity, while her bonds with Coen, Eric, and other characters add personal stakes to her decisions. EJ’s pragmatic use of Sloan underscores the interplay of power and loyalty in Salem, while Gwen’s calculated ambitions raise questions about trust and betrayal. Together, these dynamics promise a rich, multi-dimensional narrative.

Conclusion: Salem Braces for Chaos

If Sloan Peterson indeed returns to Salem, aligning with Gwen and EJ, the results could be nothing short of explosive. Hospital labs, family confrontations, clandestine alliances, and emotional reckonings are poised to converge in a storyline that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Fans can anticipate shocking reveals, high-stakes drama, and the intricate interplay of loyalty, love, and vengeance that has defined Days of Our Lives for decades.

Will Sloan reenter Salem’s dangerous landscape, reshaping the secret lab plot and reigniting old rivalries? Or will she remain a shadowy figure in the background, letting others take the fall? One thing is certain: in Salem, nothing is ever straightforward, and every return has consequences.

As viewers count down the episodes, one thing is undeniable: Sloan’s potential reentry could transform the town forever, proving once again why Days of Our Lives remains a powerhouse of daytime drama.