Days of Our Lives Rumors: Who Has Stefano’s Phoenix Ring? EJ Faces a Stunning DiMera Mystery

A new mystery is unfolding on Days of Our Lives, and it may lead straight back to Stefano DiMera’s legacy.

EJ DiMera recently realized that Stefano’s infamous black-and-gold Phoenix ring had disappeared. But viewers already know something EJ does not: Rita Leslie found the ring, lied about seeing it, and then secretly pocketed it.

Now, an upcoming twist appears to show the ring on the hand of a mystery man.

That raises a major question:

Why would Rita, one of the DiMeras’ most loyal allies, give Stefano’s ring to someone other than EJ?

The answer could reveal that another heir to Stefano is about to step into the spotlight.

These possibilities remain theories and rumors, not confirmed spoilers, but there are several candidates who would fit the mystery surprisingly well.

EJ may not be Stefano’s true heir

The Phoenix ring carries enormous symbolic weight within the DiMera family.

After Stefano’s remains were finally discovered, Dr. Rolf gave the ring to EJ and claimed that Stefano wanted it passed to his heir.

But that wording may be more important than it first seemed.

Rolf never necessarily said EJ was Stefano’s one and only rightful successor.

When Susan Banks saw EJ wearing the ring, she panicked. She grabbed it from him, performed one of her spiritual rituals and insisted she had cleansed the object of Stefano’s evil influence.

Susan warned EJ to stay away from it.

Naturally, EJ did not listen.

He continued wearing the ring and appeared deeply attached to what it represented: power, family and Stefano’s legacy.

That is why its disappearance is such a big deal.

Rita clearly knows more than she is admitting

EJ realized the ring was missing while he was with Chad and Belle near the DiMera private jet.

He later contacted Rita and asked her to look for it.

The audience could see the ring sitting right in front of her.

Yet Rita told EJ she had not found anything.

Then she took it.

That alone suggests she is working for someone else.

Even more suspiciously, the ring soon appears to be in the possession of a mysterious man, with what looks like a shipping envelope nearby.

If Rita mailed Stefano’s ring to him intentionally, then this stranger may believe the ring belongs to him.

And if that is true, there is a strong possibility that he has a direct connection to Stefano.

Could Peter Blake be back?

One of the most intriguing possibilities is Peter Blake.

Peter’s last storyline ended violently after his plot against members of the DiMera family.

He wanted control of the family fortune and targeted several relatives because he saw them as obstacles standing between him and the DiMera empire.

Peter later died in the hospital after Dr. Rolf interfered with his treatment.

But this is Days of Our Lives.

Death has never been particularly permanent when Rolf is involved.

Rolf could easily have used one of his experimental drugs to make Peter appear dead before secretly preserving or reviving him.

That theory becomes even more interesting because of Rolf’s recent strange behavior.

He briefly returned, shut down his secret resurrection lab and disappeared again.

That lab reportedly contained several mysterious pods.

What if one of them held Peter?

There is an even stranger possibility: Rolf may have implanted Stefano’s memories or personality into Peter, much like previous attempts to recreate Stefano through other people.

If the mystery man believes he truly carries Stefano’s legacy, Rita’s loyalty to him would suddenly make much more sense.

Stefan DiMera is another strong possibility

Another candidate is Stefan DiMera.

Stefan supposedly died from heart complications in Alamainia, but the circumstances surrounding his death have always left room for suspicion.

The paperwork reportedly surfaced much later than expected, and even DNA testing would not necessarily close the case because Stefan had an identical twin, Jake.

If the wrong body were buried, a DNA comparison could still appear convincing.

A Stefan return would also make sense dramatically.

Gabi’s romantic life is moving forward again, which creates the perfect opportunity for Stefan to reappear and turn everything upside down.

Stefan has also previously wanted power within the DiMera family.

If he has secretly survived, he could return believing that he — not EJ — deserves Stefano’s symbolic crown.

The Phoenix ring would be the perfect way to announce that claim.

Could Andre DiMera rise again?

Andre DiMera is another possibility, although perhaps less likely.

He has been dead for years, but resurrection is practically a DiMera family tradition.

If the writers wanted to revisit one of Stefano’s most dangerous sons, Andre would certainly fit the dark tone of the storyline.

However, there may be one clue working against that theory.

The mystery hand shown wearing the Phoenix ring appears younger than fans might expect if Andre were returning in his previous form.

Still, Days has found stranger ways to resurrect characters.

Andre cannot be completely ruled out.

Did Dr. Rolf create a new Stefano?

Then there is the most outrageous possibility of all.

What if this mystery man is not an existing DiMera?

What if Rolf created him?

Rolf has experimented with resurrection, brain manipulation, genetic science and even the possibility of creating a new Stefano through unconventional means.

A clone, genetically engineered son or stranger carrying Stefano’s DNA would be extreme.

But this is exactly the kind of wild science-fiction twist that Days of Our Lives has embraced before.

A younger “Stefano” created by Rolf could explain why both Rita and perhaps Rolf himself suddenly appear to have shifted their loyalties away from EJ.

Is Dante Vitali secretly Stefano’s son?

One theory may fit the timing better than all the others.

That involves Dante Vitali, Sami Brady’s wealthy Italian fiancé.

Dante is expected to arrive in Salem soon, and very little is currently known about his deeper family history.

What if he is not truly a Vitali by blood?

Perhaps his mother belonged to the Vitali family while his biological father was Stefano.

There have also been hints over the years that Stefano may have had secret relationships and children that were never publicly acknowledged.

If Dante were raised by the Vitalis while secretly being Stefano’s son, his possession of the Phoenix ring would become incredibly significant.

He would not simply be another wealthy outsider arriving in Salem.

He could be a hidden DiMera heir.

That could also explain why Rita would choose him over EJ.

Could the chess mystery be connected?

The mystery man may also be connected to the strange chess clues currently involving the DiMeras.

That storyline already appears tied to Stefano’s history.

If the person sending clues is the same person now wearing the Phoenix ring, then his connection to Stefano is probably not accidental.

He may be testing the family.

He may be manipulating them.

Or he may be preparing to reveal himself as the person who believes he deserves control over the entire DiMera legacy.

EJ could be heading for a major shock

EJ believes Stefano’s ring belongs to him.

But Rita’s betrayal suggests someone else may be making a claim.

Whether that person turns out to be Peter, Stefan, Andre, Dante or someone entirely new, the message is clear:

Someone wants Stefano’s legacy — and they may believe EJ is standing in the way.

If the Phoenix ring has officially changed hands, the battle for the DiMera family could be about to begin again.

Who do you think is wearing Stefano’s ring — Peter, Stefan, Andre, Dante, or a completely new DiMera heir?