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WWE Star Changes Name On SmackDown

By Lyle Kilbane • Published 20th January 2024
WWE SmackDown over blurred Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate

SmackDown saw the return of a popular WWE star’s former name as Butch waves goodbye and The Bruiserweight says hello.

On the Smackdown New Year’s Revolution episode to start 2024, Butch teamed up with Tyler Bate to defeat Pretty Deadly. For Bate, it was his official call-up to the WWE main roster that saw him work with his close friend and former rival Butch.

The January 12th edition of WWE Smackdown saw Bate & Butch having a chat in a coffee shop. Bate was thrilled about their win one week earlier and wanted to see them become a regular tag team to see how far they could go together.

As the discussion went on, Bate gave Butch the advice that he needed to focus on mindfulness and finding the person that he used to be. That’s when Bate asked: “What is that name going to be?” On SmackDown in Atlanta, the world found out the answer.

Pete Dunne Returns To WWE

SmackDown saw Pretty Deadly take on Tyler Bate – but it wasn’t Butch who appeared with Bate, instead, it was Pete Dunne as the English star reverted to his old name. Bate and Dunne picked up the victory with The Bruiserweight hitting the Bitter End on Elton Prince.

When Dunne was called up to the main roster in March 2022, he was renamed Butch as he joined Ridge Holland and Sheamus in The Brawling Brutes. This was a time in WWE history when Vince McMahon was making the calls with Triple H still sidelined following serious health issues.