i watched the final 30 minutes of raw -- first bit of wwe i've seen in a while.
i don't think the bret bits were any part of a return promo, or set up. it could be just a tease. they pump out a "maybe he'll be at the ppv?!?!" vibe so you'll watch the ppv -- they did similar stuff during this years summer slam, even having the hitman's intro music blast through the crowd in a hbk segment.