Sheamus, Alexa Bliss & Elias return to WWE SmackDown
The post-Survivor Series episode of SmackDown saw three wrestlers return to WWE television.
– After nearly eight months away, Sheamus made his return in a backstage segment. He cut a heel promo where he called the current state of SmackDown pathetic. He specifically mentioned The Fiend, King Corbin, and Shorty G. Sheamus ended the promo by saying “SmackDown will be mine.”
Dave Meltzer reported in September that Sheamus was ready to return: “He’s been off and has spinal stenosis, which is not a good thing long-term for a wrestler. But he is ready to return and if a storyline is there, he would be brought back.”
– Alexa Bliss returned to SmackDown after Nikki Cross’ match against Sonya Deville tonight. She saved Cross from a post-match attack by Deville and Mandy Rose.
Bliss had been out of action since October’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. WWE noted earlier this month that Bliss had a minor injury but was expected to return soon.
Bliss & Cross will be in a fatal four-way match for the Women’s Tag Team titles at WWE Starrcade on Sunday night. The match will air on the one-hour live Starrcade special on the WWE Network, with Asuka & Kairi Sane defending their titles against Bliss & Cross, Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair, and Sasha Banks & Bayley.
– Elias also appeared in a backstage segment with Dana Brooke and Drake Maverick on SmackDown tonight. It was the first time Elias has appeared on WWE TV since he was pulled from his King of the Ring tournament semifinal match against Chad Gable n September due to an ankle injury.
Elias told Brooke and Maverick that he had been on a journey outwards and inwards since he’s been out of action and then sang a song mocking Maverick.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.