Major WWE Star Finally Returns To SmackDown After Long Absence
A veteran WWE superstar was back on SmackDown and made his presence felt in a unique way.
The Wyatt Sicks team of Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy have been the WWE Tag Team Champions on SmackDown since July, and have held the titles for over 110 days.
In recent months, during their appearances, Lumis and Gacy have been joined by fellow Wyatt Sicks’ members Erick Rowan and Nikki Cross, but not Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy.
Dallas was kept off television for several months because his father, WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda (aka Irwin R. Schyster) suffered a massive heart attack on September 20. Bo’s sister, Mika Rotunda, wrote about it after their uncle, Barry Windham, misspoke about what happened to Mike.
Our family would like to take a moment to clarify some information currently circulating online regarding my father, Mike Rotunda.
Yes, my uncle Barry did make a comment mentioning that my father is in hospice care while answering a question about our late family member, whom we lost two years ago. We want to make it clear that he misspoke—not intentionally.
My father is not in hospice, but rather in a rehabilitation center. He suffered a massive heart attack on September 20th, was in a coma for a week, and spent over a month hospitalized. By the grace of God, he has now transitioned to a rehabilitation center, where our family remains present, hopeful, and focused on his recovery.
It has already been a long road, and we know there is still a long road ahead—but our faith in God remains strong. Anyone who knows my dad knows that it’s his strength, work ethic, and athleticism that have carried him through not just this, but every challenge life has thrown his way. If there’s one person I have faith in, it’s Captain Mike.
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the wrestling world and our local communities. At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as we continue walking this journey together—but we warmly welcome continued prayers, good energy, and healing thoughts for his recovery.
With love and gratitude,
The Rotunda Family
Due to Mike Rotunda’s health issues, Bo was understandably given time off from the road.
Uncle Howdy Appears In Background On WWE SmackDown
In a backstage segment on WWE SmackDown in Albany, General Manager Nick Aldis spoke to Solo Sikoa, who wanted a match with Sami Zayn. Aldis said that Zayn isn’t the only one wanting to fight Solo, so Aldis booked a traditional 5-on-5 elimination match for SmackDown on November 18 with Solo Sikoa and his MFTs against Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix, and the Motor City Machine Guns.
While that discussion was going on, Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas) was in the background looking at Solo Sikoa from a distance.
Uncle Howdy & The Wyatt Sicks ARE WATCHING YOU ‼️
Howdy is BACK 👀#UncleHowdy
— Kirby (@KirbyHotTakes) November 15, 2025
The Wyatt Sicks and Solo Sikoa’s MFT group have had multiple staredowns in recent weeks, so it was another tease that the groups would be fighting soon.
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