Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Is Stefano DiMera Alive? Dr. Rolf’s Shocking Words Point to The Phoenix Rising

THE PHOENIX RISES? STEFANO DIMERA’S SHOCKING RETURN MAY BE CONNECTED TO MARLENA’S HEALTH CRISIS

Dr. Rolf’s Cryptic Words Have Salem Fans Reeling

Just when we thought Salem couldn’t drop any more bombshells this summer, the new trailer has us absolutely SHOOK! In what might be the most jaw-dropping moment of the entire preview, Dr. Wilhelm Rolf utters four little words that could change everything: “It’s almost time, Father.”

Father? FATHER?!

We all know there’s only one person the mad scientist has ever called by that title. And if you’re thinking what I’m thinking, then yes — Stefano DiMera, The Phoenix himself, might be rising from the ashes once again!

The Clues Are All There — And They’re Terrifying

Let’s connect the dots here, because this is classic Days storytelling at its finest. The summer 2025 trailer doesn’t just tease Stefano‘s return in isolation. No, the writers have woven this potential resurrection into something far more sinister. Marlena Evans is facing a mysterious health crisis that’s bringing back “unsettling memories” of the DiMera patriarch.

Coincidence? In Salem? Please.

We’ve watched Stefano torment Marlena for decades. From that accidental devil possession in the ’90s (yes, that was technically his fault!) to the mind control schemes, the obsessions, the kidnappings — their twisted history runs deeper than the DiMera tunnels. And now, just when Marlena is grieving the loss of her beloved John Black, she’s suddenly struck by a health crisis that has Stefano‘s fingerprints all over it?

The timing is too perfect. Too cruel. Too… Stefano.

Dr. Rolf’s Dark Science Knows No Bounds

If anyone can bring Stefano back from the great beyond (again), it’s Dr. Rolf. This is the same mad scientist who’s given us consciousness chips, cloning experiments, and more resurrections than we can count. Remember when he literally downloaded Stefano‘s essence onto a microchip and implanted it in Steve Johnson? That was just five years ago!

Sure, Chad and Tony DiMera destroyed that chip. But when has death ever stopped The Phoenix? The man has more lives than a cat with a medical degree from Rolf University.

The scene in the trailer is chilling in its simplicity. Dr. Rolf isn’t frantically working in a lab or dramatically unveiling a covered figure. He’s calm. Confident. Like he’s been planning this for years. “It’s almost time, Father” suggests this isn’t a rushed scheme — it’s a carefully orchestrated resurrection that’s been in the works since that chip was destroyed.

What Does This Mean for Marlena?

Here’s where things get really dark. Marlena‘s health crisis isn’t just happening alongside Stefano‘s potential return — it seems to be connected to it. The trailer specifically mentions her condition brings back memories of Stefano, which has us wondering: What exactly did he do to her over the years that could be activated now?

Think about it. Stefano has had his hands (literally and figuratively) on Marlena‘s brain more times than we can count. Brainwashing, possession, psychological manipulation — the man treated her mind like his personal science project. Could there be some dormant programming? A fail-safe he installed years ago? Or worse — does Dr. Rolf need something from Marlena to complete Stefano‘s resurrection?

The possibilities are as endless as they are terrifying.

The 60th Anniversary Needs Its Ultimate Villain

Let’s talk timing. Days is building up to its 60th anniversary celebration, and what better way to mark this milestone than by bringing back the ultimate villain? Stefano DiMera isn’t just any antagonist — he’s THE antagonist. The man who’s tormented multiple generations of Salem families. The Phoenix who refuses to stay dead.

With John Black gone (and we’re still not over that heartbreak), Marlena is vulnerable in a way she hasn’t been in years. If Stefano returns now, she won’t have her protector. She’ll have to face her greatest tormentor alone — or will she?

The trailer also teases returns from Sami Brady, Eric Brady, and other family members. Could they be arriving just in time to help Marlena battle whatever Stefano and Dr. Rolf have planned? Or will they be walking into a trap decades in the making?

The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

This isn’t just another “back from the dead” storyline. If the trailer is telling us what we think it’s telling us, Stefano‘s return is intrinsically linked to Marlena‘s survival. Will she have to make an impossible choice? Will the DiMera children — EJ, Chad, Tony — be forced to choose between their father and the woman he’s tormented for decades?

And let’s not forget: Stefano coming back means every family in Salem is in danger. The Bradys, the Hortons, the Kiriakises — no one is safe when The Phoenix rises.

Social media is already exploding with theories. Some fans think Marlena might have a dormant chip that’s been activated. Others wonder if Dr. Rolf has been using Stefano‘s DNA to create a clone. A few brave souls are even suggesting that Stefano never really died — that he’s been hiding, waiting, planning for the perfect moment to strike.

Whatever the truth is, one thing’s certain: Salem is about to face its darkest hour.

The Phoenix Always Rises

Look, we’ve been here before. We’ve mourned Stefano, accepted his death, moved on… only to have him swagger back into town with that devilish smile and a master plan. It’s what he does. It’s who he is.

But this time feels different. More personal. More devastating.

Using Marlena‘s health as a weapon? Timing his return for when she’s most vulnerable? That’s a level of cruelty that even Stefano hasn’t reached before. And honestly? We’re scared for what comes next.

Will Belle Black have to watch her mother suffer at Stefano‘s hands again? Will the DiMera brothers rally to stop their father, or will family loyalty win out? And most importantly — can Salem survive another round with The Phoenix?

If that trailer is any indication, we’re about to find out. And something tells me we’re not ready for what’s coming.

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