WWE pulled off an out-of-the-box return after SmackDown this Friday. After missing six weeks of in-ring action, Braun Strowman showed up after the show went off air. Initially, Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee took on Finn Balor and JD McDonagh.

However, an interference from Carlito made it a 2-on-3 situation for the masked duo. Then came out the Strowman Express to even up the odds. A six-man tag team match got underway between these combustible exponents, which the babyfaces eventually won.

But it does make one wonder why Braun’s return wasn’t on air. The 6’8″ giant, who’s technically a Raw Superstar, had been on the sidelines owing to a groin injury that he sustained back in September. He battled Bronson Reed in a Last Monster Standing Match, which was the culmination of weeks of vitriol that was brewing.

The two finally settled their differences in a match, which didn’t let the fans down. In fact, it was a melee, an absolute car crash. During the closing moments, even the ring imploded, but it wasn’t as impactful as these spots have been in the past.

Braun Strowman returned to action last night in a Dark Match! He had been out for about 6 weeks with a torn groin#SmackDown (📸: @Steven_R) pic. twitter.

com/KY1OtoBWRW— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) November 16, 2024 It was the only pet peeve among the WWE Universe from that battle of the goliaths. Strowman won the match after a returning Seth Rollins cost Reed. After it was over, Seth and Braun embraced.

The Monster of All Monsters later revealed that he had tore his groin and would need to rehab. RELATEDCody Rhodes teases invading 40-year-old star’s home after Randy Orton got hospitalized on SmackDownNo one expected the former Universal Champion to be back this soon. But here he comes.

It seems as if he’s good to go after a minor layoff. It’d be interesting to see when he’ll get back in the mix on his regular hunting ground, i. e.

, Raw. Who else plotted a return to SmackDown this week? Before the local crowd in Milwaukee was graced by the unexpected arrival of Braun Strowman, they witnessed yet another return that was actually aired on SmackDown.

It was none other than the artist known as Shinsuke Nakamura, who rocked LA Knight from behind. LA Knight and Shinsuke Nakamura (via WWE)After the latter retained his United States title over Berto, Shin was waiting for Knight to turn his back. And once The Megastar realized that someone was measuring him from behind, Nakamura took him out.

This could be the next major feud for LA, who’s been on a rampage since beating Logan Paul at SummerSlam. RELATED“Total BS! ” Former WWE Champion lauds Amanda Serrano for gutsy effort against Katie Taylor despite controversial lossThe Japanese wrestler could give Knight a run for his money.

Shin back in fold ended a near seven-month hiatus that he’s been on. Despite missing a better part of this year, he could definitely make it count in the remaining days of 2024.