Roman Reigns & The Usos WWE SmackDown

Live WWE SmackDown Updates, Results, & Reactions

We’ve made it to the end of the week, folks! And with it comes a new episode of WWE SmackDown, kicking off at 8 pm ET!  Follow along with our live SmackDown 46/2 coverage, results, and reactions, as well as any other breaking news of the day!

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Roman Reigns

A closer look at the new WWE Undisputed Universal Championship

Tonight marked a historic edition of WWE SmackDown, with Triple H awarding Roman Reigns a new Undisputed WWE Universal Title that was clad in all gold. It appears the days of the black strap WWE Title and blue strap WWE Universal Title are no more.

WWE shop released some additional photos of the new belt, which Twitter account WrestleOps posted to their account. What do you, our readers, think about the new Title Belt design? Let us know what you think at this link.

AEW

The week ahead: what awaits us on the 6/7 AEW Dynamite

We’ve already seen how the WWE Raw card has shaped up a bit more heading into this Monday, with a massive World Heavyweight Title match scheduled between defender Seth Rollins, and his challenger, Damian Priest of The Judgment Day. But what about beyond this Monday? For those that enjoy AEW, a couple of matches have already been announced for this Wednesday’s edition of Dynamite.

This includes another AEW International Championship match that will see reigning titleholder Orange Cassidy defend against Swerve Strickland.

You can see the current card for the 6/2 AEW Dynamite below:

  • AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Swerve Strickland
  • Ricky Starks vs. Jay White (FTR & Juice Robinson are banned from ringside)
SmackDown

New matches announced for 6/9 WWE SmackDown

Another week, another SmackDown! And this episode was a key chapter in the story of The Bloodline; however, it was also a big night for the Money in the Bank ladder matches that have been developing. Next week will be the same, with MITB season now in full-swing. We will see two more Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying matches, as well as two more for the women!

You can see the current card for the 6/9 WWE SmackDown below:

  • Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Butch vs. Baron Corbin
  • Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Santos Escobar vs. Mustafa Ali
  • Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: IYO SKY vs. Shotzi
  • Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Bayley vs. Michin
Jimmy Uso

The Usos confront The Tribal Chief

We’re back! Jimmy Uso stares down Roman Reigns in the middle of the ring. Reigns turns his attention to Jey Uso and tells him to kick Jimmy in the face right now. He says that’s what happened to him and Jimmy ruined his Tag Team Title match, so we need to end this. “Kick him in the face right now!” Roman says.

Jimmy tells Roman that the only one who needs fixing is Reigns. He knows Jey can’t fix this because it’s Jimmy that did the kick. He did what he did last Saturday not to be the Tribal Chief. He did what he did because he was being a brother, and brother treat brothers with love and respect. Roman hasn’t been much of a good brother, according to Jey.

He asks what kind of brother hurts, and betrays, and turns on their own family. Roman has gone crazy! And Jimmy is going to protect his brothers Jey and Solo Sikoa, and he faces Solo and says that he’s going to keep getting manipulated and used until he’s left in the dirt. “Uso!” chants break out.

Roman says that the people are chanting that because of him. He thinks Jimmy is an imposter and speaking for people like Solo. Reigns tells Solo to speak for himself and gives “The Street Champion” the microphone. Solo says, “I acknowledge you, my Tribal Chief. But these two right here, they’re my brothers.” He shoves the mic back to Roman.

SOLO JOINS THE SIDE OF THE USOS!!! Is this really happening right now?! Jimmy asks Roman what it’s going to be. Run The Bloodline together with respect, or stay don’t he Island of Relevancy by himself. Roman starts yelling at Jimmy but gets his face shoved away. Holy s***!

Roman is gonna kill him, but Jey stands in between them and tells them, “Not like this.” Jey yells that he needs them both and we can’t fight like this. We’re better than this! Jimmy says he’s right and they’re stronger together. Roman is his brother, too, and he always has been. Jimmy wants them to run this together! They’re still, “The ones.”

Roman looks distraught and takes a moment to collect himself. Reigns hugs Jimmy! He’s getting emotional?! Reigns looks up at the sky and says, “No.” They stare down each other. Solo turns and spikes Jimmy Uso in the throat! It was all a ruse. Solo looks over Jimmy and Jey Uso before leaving the ring with his Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. WWE SmackDown goes off the air this week with Heyman asking what Jey will do. Roman thinks he’ll fall back in line.

Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns is honored with a new WWE Universal Title belt

Roman Reigns makes his entrance with Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa by his side. Triple H says that on behalf of the WWE and the WWE Universe, he wants to congratulate Roman for this record. Hunter says that to celebrate, it his honor to present him with an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. It’s all gold! WOW! Looks pretty sexy tbh.

Roman looks at it before allowing Heyman to take the WWE Title off of his waist. He holds up the new Universal Title belt as pyro erupts from the stage and Reigns laughs. He gloats a bit in Solo’s face. Triple H then fastens the belt around Roman’s waist as he grabs a microphone.

Reigns has a huge smile on his face. He says each city won’t cut it anymore. “The ENTIRE UNIVERSE, acknowledge me!” Roman yells.

The Usos’ music hits! They’re here! They’re at the top of the ramp as we head to the final commercial break.

Triple H

Triple H introduces Roman Reigns as we arrive at his 1000-day celebration

Are you ready for some celebrating? 1000 days of Roman Reigns as WWE Universal Champion is going down right now!

Triple H is in the middle of the ring and has a new Championship belt with him that’s covered up!!! Hunter says that on rare occasions, and athlete comes along that they change the face of their entire sport. These people will be talked about for generations to come. Michaels Jordan is an example; and in WWE, we have had the privilege of witnessing it live.

Triple H says we will be talking about this for generations, so please welcome Roman Reigns to the show!

Roman Reigns

Our main event segment is next

We see our final replay from Reigns’ career: his defeat over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39 this past year. Roman Reigns’ celebration is next!

Isla Dawn

Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre will be back soon

LA Knight poses at the top of a ladder after successfully beating Montez Ford. We see another video package about the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre.

Here comes Triple H!

LA Knight

LA Knight advances to the men's MITB ladder match

When we come back, Ford and Knight are both struggling to make it back to a standing position. They trade punches back and forth as the crowd reacts, favoring Knight mostly. Ford with some clotheslines and a back suplex before kipping up. Ford misses a standing moonsault and gets caught in a spinning neckbreaker.

Knight uses some elbows to Ford’s face and then tries for a springboard moonsault that he misses. Ford with an enziguri and a rock bottom for another close two count! “LA Knight!” chants ring out. Both men run into one another with stiff clotheslines as we head into the final act of the bout.

Knight and Ford trade more right hands, followed by a chop and a shove from Montez. Ford with a kick to Knight’s head, but as he climbs to the top rope, Knight meets him there. Knight leaps to the top rope from the mat but Ford shoves him off and tries for a frog splash. He misses! Knight reverses a victory roll and holds the ropes for leverage! Knight wins it!!

LA Knight

Montez Ford vs. LA Knight

Let’s get this one going!

The two men lock up, with Knight getting a hammer lock for the initial advantage. The crowd is alive for this one! Ford puts Knight in a headlock before they start trading several reversals. Ford and Knight leapfrog over another until Montez connects with a dropkick.

Ford with a shoulder from the apron until Knight blasts him with a double forearm to send him to the floor. We’re off to a break!

MontezFord

Another MITB qualifier is up next!

We see a replay of Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber 2023. LWO is backstage congratulating Zelina Vega on her win! Santos Escobar will have his own MITB qualifying match next week on SD!

Next up, Montez Ford vs. LA Knight to advance to the MITB ladder match! Ford makes his entrance first, followed by Knight.

Zelina Vega

Zelina Vega advances to Money in the Bank

We see a replay from Tuesday’s episode of WWE NXT. Cameron Grimes and Adam Pearce are watching backstage, where Grimes says that next time Baron comes back to SmackDown, he wants a peace of him.

It’s time for the Lacey Evans vs. Zelina Vega qualifying match! During the commercial, however, Evans hit the Women’s Right on Vega! Zelina will start this at a disadvantage. We start off with Evans stomping away at Zelina in the corner of the ring.

Evans puts Zelina in a straight jacket hold and tosses her around with ease. Zelina Vega rolls through an attack and kicks Evans in the head. Lacey returns with a stiff clothesline and a two count. Evans keeps on Vega with a headlock as the crowd rallies in the background. Vega uses a headlock takeover and code red for a three count! Zelina wins!!

Asuka

The Grayson Waller Effect with special guest Asuka

We come back from the break and see the intro video for the Grayson Waller Show. Waller is introduced to a lackluster reaction. He says this is one of the biggest weeks in WWE history, and they’re keeping it rolling tonight.

His guest is the new Raw Women’s Champion, Asuka! She acts like a celebrity, saying, “I know you love me!” and blowing kisses to everyone while she walks down to the ring. Waller welcomes her to the show.

Waller tells her congratulations and they watch a replay of the Night of Champions match between Bianca Belair and Asuka this past Saturday. Asuka speaks in Japanese and says she is the Raw Women’s Champion! Waller says he notices the Money in the Bank briefcases, and with that, Bianca Belair will also want another title shot.

Asuka talks about the way she misted Bianca with her fingers and then we see how she already has some mist in her mouth tonight. Iyo Sky emerges from the back! They exchange more words in Japanese while the crowd goes, “What?!” Bayley comes out and says that what Iyo is saying is when both of Damage CTRL qualifies, one of them will capture the briefcase.

Shotzi comes out next and says that there is nothing more she could want than to crush Bayley’s dreams with cold, hard steel. Lacey Evans makes her entrance next and tells Shotzi to shut up and salute her. Evans says the contract is coming home to her, but first, she needs to wrap the cobra clutch around Zelina Vega.

Here comes Zelina! Vega says there’s only one problem with what they are saying because she will be the one to win the briefcase. Vega tells Lacey Evans that if she got her hair done, nails done, and got some red-bottom shoes, she still wouldn’t be half the woman she is. Vega is extremely confident tonight!

Everyone starts arguing while Waller says, “This is the best night of my life! Bring out more girls. This is sick — I love America!” Lmao.

Asuka says from the stage that nobody is ready for Asuka, but suddenly, Bianca Belair appears and beats her down in rage. Referees and producers break them up as the segment comes to an end.

Adam Pearce

Adam Pearce has prepared for The Usos possibly invading SmackDown

The OC celebrates and then we head to the back where Adam Pearce is on the phone. Paul Heyman comes in and Pearce tells him that The Usos have had their travel plans cancelled tonight. There is also extra security tonight in case they do show up.

Grayson Waller Effect is next with Asuka as the special guest.

AJ Styles

The OC vs. Hit Row

We see a replay of the Brock Lesnar – Roman Reigns Last Man Standing Match from SummerSlam 2022 in Nashville.

Hit Row is finishing up their entrance now. Ashante Thee Adonis immediately goes on the attack on Karl Anderson, nailing a hard clothesline to stagger him. Top Dolla tags in and they use an Irish whip turned into a shoulder tackle on Anderson. Top Dolla with a clothesline and a choke on the middle rope to Anderson.

Ashante tags back in and keeps control, putting a headlock on Anderson while AJ Styles and Michin talk trash to B Fab and Top Dolla at ringside. Anderson hits a beautiful spinebuster that allows him to finally tag in Gallows!

He boots Ashante and Top Dolla both, then hitting an uppercut, a running elbow, an a spinning elbow. He tags Anderson back in and the two use the Magic Killer for the 3 count.

Top Dolla immediately comes in and gives some cheap shots to The OC, prompting Styles to use the Phenomenal Forearm.

AJ Styles

The OC prepared for action

We return to the live show with footage of The OC wishing AJ Styles a happy birthday. Styles says he’ll take the L from Night of Champions and move forward now. It’s time for them to focus on taking out Hit Row tonight!

The OC makes their entrance as we head to another commercial break.

Solo Sikoa

Solo Sikoa is given a message from Paul Heyman

We’re back! Backstage, Paul tells Solo Sikoa that he needs to ensure that The Usos are nowhere to be found tonight so that they can properly acknowledge Roman Reigns’ celebration.

Roman Reigns

Recap of Night of Champions

We see a replay of the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title match at Night of Champions that saw The Bloodline implode from the inside out. We see Paul Heyman entering the dressing room of Reigns!

Austin Theory

Some tricks give the trio of Theory and Pretty Deadly the victory

We come back from another break with Prince getting German suplexed from Butch. He enziguris the other two opponents and then tags in Ridge. Holland and Butch with an elevated powerbomb. Sheamus tags in and comes off the top with a diving knee for yet another close two count. Sheamus wants the Celtic Cross, but Prince escapes, and Pretty Deadly uses the Flying Martini. Theory tags in and uses a spin-out powerbomb but still can only secure a two-count.

Sheamus blocks another shot from Theory and hits a clothesline. Chaos ensues with every man running into the ring with different moves. Theory sends Butch to the outside but turns into a hard knee to the face for another close two! Prince and Wilson tag in but they are caught by Ridge and thrown overhead with a double backdrop. All 3 men hit Beats of the Bodhran at the same time! Of course, Butch hits a few extras.

Holland with a body slam on Wilson, but Theory breaks it up and uses the A-Town Down on Butch. Sheamus knocks him out of the ring and they go to battle on the outside. Prince uses a sneaky move where he obscures his face so Ridge doesn’t see that it’s not the legal man. Wilson sneaks in and they use Spilt Milk for the win!

Sheamus

The Brawling Brutes with momentum

We come back from a commercial with Prince in control of Butch with an armbar. He tries to escape but it thrown head-first into the mat. Butch uses his finger manipulation on Prince but he escapes by tagging in Theory. Austin with stomps at a downed Butch. Wilson comes in next with some stomps of his own, followed by an uppercut. Prince gets tagged back in, and while the ref is focused on Sheamus, Theory grabs Butch as Pretty Deadly team up on him.

Butch with a kick in the corner and a tornado DDT to give himself a chance to make it to the corner. The crowd rallies as Butch and Theory both come in! Sheamus with axe handles, a clothesline, and a body slam on Theory. He goes for Ten Beats of the Bodhran on both members of Pretty Deadly, but Theory rolls him up for a two count. He gives Irish curse backbreaker to Theory and Pretty Deadly. The Brutes then hit a synced triple White Noise!

Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick on Theory, but Pretty Deadly immediately yanks him out of the ring. Ridge with a double clothesline on Pretty Deadly on the outside, followed by a double clothesline off the top to them, followed by a moonsault off the second rope from Butch.

Sheamus

The Brawling Brutes vs. Pretty Deadly & Austin Theory

Ridge Holland and Elton Prince start the match, with Ridge taking control and tossing Prince around the ring. Butch tags in and they use a tandem dropkick/vertical suplex. Prince changes the momentum and brings Butch to his corner; Prince then tags in and hits him with an uppercut. Wilson puts Butch in a headlock while Wade Barrett makes a funny comment about how “sexy” he finds Pretty Deadly.

Butch with some joint manipulation on Wilson but he misses a kick, allowing Kit to tag in Theory. Austin wants Sheamus, so Butch tags in Sheamus.

Austin Theory

Austin Theory kicks off the show

We will see highlights from some of Roman’s greatest matches tonight. We see WrestleMania 37 first, when Roman beat Bryan Danielson and Edge to retain his Universal Title.

Austin Theory is inside the ring and he’ll soon team with Pretty Deadly to battle The Brawling Brutes. Theory introduces the crowd to “Austin Theory Live!” He says tonight is a very special night because it celebrates Roman Reigns’ historic title reign. Theory combines the lengths of their title reigns and says it’s inspiring — almost as inspiring as him being the man who beat John Cena at WrestleMania.

He expects to have title celebrations at every 1000 days, and thinks it’ll just be too easy if they keep sending him opponents like Sheamus. Theory says that when you’re great like he is, you have people gravitate toward you. His partners, Pretty Deadly, make their entrance. Kit Wilson says it was their pleasure to destroy The Brawling Brutes, and they just want to come out and congratulate him with a, “Yes, boy!”

Here comes Sheamus and The Brawling Brutes!

SmackDown

WWE SmackDown starts now!!!

Let’s get this party started! We see the crowd at the Mohegan Sun Arena as Michael Cole and Wade Barrett introduce us to SmackDown. They hype up how Roman Reigns has his 1000-day Universal Title celebration. A video package is shown for The Tribal Chief!

Ultimate Warrior

Barry Horowitz wasn't a fan of The Ultimate Warrior

Barry Horowitz has been involved with the professional wrestling business since 1979, allowing him the chance to see every era of WWE come to pass. That includes the Golden Era of WWE when stars like “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, and The Ultimate Warrior shined as top stars.

But Horowitz admitted in a new interview that he was never as impressed with Warrior’s abilities. When it came down to it, he believed the WWE Hall of Famer just had a good body and presentation.

“Basically when the Warrior’s music stops, so does the match. It’s time to go back through the curtain, back home. And I’m calling it like it is. I don’t like to knock the people that are passed.”

You can read more about this story here.

WWE

Behind-the-scenes look at WWE Night of Champions

Last Saturday’s WWE Night of Champions premium live event, emanating from Saudi Arabia, will go down in the history books as a major turning point in the story of The Bloodline. The man behind the ongoing pursuit to destroy the faction, Sami Zayn, had an especially emotional night at NoC. He and his partner, Kevin Owens, managed to defeat Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa with a little help from Jimmy Uso. But even before the match, Zayn was feeling heightened emotions due to being allowed to perform in Saudi Arabia once more.

My emotional cup is almost full and we haven’t even gotten to the really emotional part or the part you think is going to be the really emotional part, which is the match itself and coming out here and performing.

Another man who had a big night last Saturday was Seth Rollins, who became the first man to win the new edition of the WWE World Heavyweight Title. And holding such an important piece of WWE history isn’t something Seth is taking lightly.

There’s a lot of pride, I think, here. There’s a lot of pressure being the first of anything and when you’re carrying a banner like this on your shoulder, there’s a lot of pressure. I feel a lot of pride a humility being the first person to do that and I’m going to fight tooth and nail to represent it the way it deserves to be represented.

You can see the full video below:

PAC

PAC expected to return to AEW soon

News about AEW stars returning to action is in abundance today; Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer is reporting that popular AEW star PAC will be returning to action soon. He’s been sidelined since suffering a broken nose at AEW Full Gear, but still wrestled a best-of-seven series with a broken nose that saw Death Triangle vs. The Elite.

Since his absence, The Lucha Bros have gone on to win ROH Tag Team Gold. It will be interesting to see if the faction reunites or if they continue going their separate ways when PAC returns.

Damien Priest

Damian Priest accepts Seth Rollins' World Heavyweight Championship open challenge

As noted earlier, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins is kicking off his Title reign with an open challenge slated for this Monday’s WWE Raw. It didn’t take long for that challenge to be accepted, either. Damian Priest took to Twitter shortly after Seth announced the potential opportunity and reserved his spot in the main event of Raw.

Seth, you know, making an open challenge is noble but very foolish. Consider your open challenge closed because I accept. Now, in the main event of Monday Night Raw where I have always belonged, Damian Priest brings the World Heavyweight Championship home to The Judgment Day.”

You can see an updated card of the 6/5 WWE Raw below:

  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Damian Priest
  • Money in the Bank qualifying match: Becky Lynch vs. Sonya Deville
  • Money in the Bank qualifying match: Natalya vs. Zoey Stark
AEW

Full card for 6/2 AEW Rampage

Not only do we have a new episode of WWE SmackDown slated for tonight — a new episode of AEW Rampage will also air on TNT! The show returns to its normal start time of 10 pm EST this week and is being advertised as a night of Championship matches. Four bouts will take place, including matches for El Hijo Del Vikingo’s AAA Mega Championship and Zack Sabre’s NJPW World TV Championship.

You can see the card for the 6/2 AEW Rampage below:

  • AAA Mega Championship: El Hijo Del Vikingo (c) vs. Komander vs. Dralistico
  • NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship: Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Emi Sakura
  • NJPW World TV Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Action Andretti
  • ROH Pure Championship: Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs. Lee Moriarty
Brock Lesnar

Sound-Off: Who should retire Brock Lesnar?

Brock Lesnar is arguably the most dominant WWE Superstar in history, accomplishing feats like ending The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania, becoming a multi-time WWE Champion, and even being a UFC Champion after crossing over to UFC. No one has had a career quite like Lesnar, so it will give someone a MASSIVE push if they are chosen as the person to retire Brock.

Earlier today, our Inside the Ropes Twitter page posed that exact question:

When the time comes, who should retire Brock Lesnar?

You can see some of the answers below, and chime in and let us know who you think should be the person at this link.

Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins to hold open challenge for the World Heavyweight Title on Raw

Upon winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions, Seth Rollins promised that he would be a fighting champion. “The Visionary” aims to keep that vow, too, as he has taken to Twitter to announce that he will be holding an open challenge for the World Heavyweight Title! Who will step up, or how many people will step up at the same time?

Other matches announced for Raw so far include Money in the Bank qualifying matches between Becky Lynch and Sonya Deville and Natalya and Zoey Stark.

My man WWE Big E was the last defender of the crown…..in November 2021?!?? Let’s change that. Open Challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship is officially LIVE for THIS Monday night in Hartford! Line ‘em up!”

AEW

AEW star nearly ready to return to the ring

Earlier today, news emerged that AEW Superstar Santana, one-half of the Proud and Powerful tag team with Ortiz, will be returning in the near future after being shelved for nearly a year. An ACL tear during the June 29, 2022 Blood & Guts match sidelined the popular tag team star who previously had stints in companies like Impact Wrestling and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.

It will be interesting to see if the team reunites upon Santana’s return or if he’ll have a go at a singles run. It was confirmed by their former mentor, Konnan, that there was some legitimate heat stemming from the two around the time Santana’s injury occurred.

You can read more about this story here.

Swerve Strickland

Swerve Strickland accused of stealing ideas from WWE star

Twitter beefs are always entertaining to watch from the sidelines, especially when some wild claims start getting thrown around. Earlier today, WWE superstar Michin and Top Dolla start getting into a back-and-forth on the social media platform, all starting because Top Dolla called Michin “Mid-chin” in a diss rap.

Mia Yim would clap back by bringing up AEW Swerve Strickland, who used to be the leader of the Hit Row stable that Top Dolla remains a part of. That’s when it was claimed that Swerve isn’t coming up with all his ideas alone.

“You prolly stole this tweet like he steals my ideas”

You can read more about this story at this link.

SmackDown

What awaits us on a new episode of WWE SmackDown

Let’s get it, y’all! Tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown will be one for the history books after we saw the implosion of The Bloodline this past Saturday at WWE Night of Champions. Will Jimmy Uso apologize? Will Roman put a hit out on them through Solo Sikoa? We’re going to find out!

It will also be the first night of Money in the Bank qualifying matches for SmackDown, with one men’s and one women’s qualifying match booked for the show. You can see the card for the 6/2 SmackDown below:

  • Night of Champions fallout
  • Zelina Vega vs. Lacey Evans in a Money In the Bank qualifier
  • LA Knight vs. Montez Ford in a Money In the Bank qualifier
  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns celebrates 1000 days as champion
SmackDown

Good evening!

Good evening, everyone! We’re back for another edition of SmackDown, and it’s feeling like a must-see episode after the events that transpired at last Saturday’s WWE Night of Champions premium live event. Now that Jimmy Uso has betrayed Roman Reigns and attacked The Tribal Chief, what will be in store for The Usos and The Bloodline as a whole? Reigns will be in the house for his 1000-day title reign celebration, as well!

In the news world, top WWE Superstar Braun Strowman will be out of action indefinitely following a neck fusion surgery. Strowman sent a message to fans about the experience, saying he will return better than ever!