Following SmackDown on Friday night in Detroit, many are wondering if Butch is set to return to his former persona of Pete Dunne – the following article contains spoilers.
Due to Clash at the Castle taking place in Cardiff, Wales on the 3rd of September, WWE taped the 2nd of September edition of SmackDown once the show on the 26th of August went off the air.
SmackDown in Detroit saw the finals of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament set with Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah seeing off Sonya Deville and Natalya to earn their place in the final against IYO SKY and Dakota Kai.
Also on the show, Xavier Woods returned, channeling both Kevin Nash and Linda McMahon as he and Kofi Kingston took the fight to The Viking Raiders. In the main event, Drew McIntyre took his anger out on The Bloodline’s associate Sami Zayn, defeating him in singles action.
On the show taped for the 2nd of September, Butch was in action as he took on Ludwig Kaiser before both men’s allies Sheamus and Gunther do battle in Wales for the Intercontinental Championship.
However, fans in attendance noted that Butch was wearing a singlet for his match – as he had done when he competed in NXT UK and NXT as Pete Dunne. Butch also had no knee pads on for his match and his hair down – further signs that his old persona could be making a return.
Butch has Pete Dunne gear!! HE’S BACK❗️ #SmackDownpic.twitter.com/EakkRrFwJa
— Roman Reigns SZN 💥 (@reigns_era) August 27, 2022
Pete Dunne graduated to the main roster of WWE while Vince McMahon was still in charge, changing his name to Butch and his persona to one of a flat-cap-wearing terrier, who constantly tried to fight anyone in his path.
Full spoilers for the 2nd of September edition of SmackDown can be found here.