NXT Star Debuts On WWE SmackDown

A decorated NXT star has landed on WWE SmackDown.

Heading into the January 5th episode of SmackDown, Butch needed a tag team partner for his match against Pretty Deadly. In a popular twist, the star decided to turn to a man he knows extremely well, Tyler Bate.

The British pair have teamed together on and off for years, battling on the independent scene before arriving in WWE.

On SmackDown it was the duo known as British Strong Style who got the win, with Bate pinning Kit Wilson.

Back in December, it was reported that there had been increased talk around Tyler Bate after Vince McMahon was removed from WWE creative.

When Did Tyler Bate Sign With WWE?

After making his wrestling debut in 2014, Tyler Bate made quick progress through the British ranks and it was announced in December 2016 that the star would be stepping into a WWE ring for the first time.

The Black Country-born star took part in a tournament the following January to decide the inaugural United Kingdom Champion and emerged victorious with a win over none other than Pete Dunne. As a result of the win, Bate became the third youngest WWE Champion in history, at just 19 years of age.

Many expected Bate to progress quickly, but he was forced to wait for his chance on the main roster.

To date, Bate has won the now-defunct United Kingdom Championship twice, the Heritage Cup, and the NXT and NXT UK Tag Team Titles.