Former WWE champion picks up huge victory on his in-ring return after 1 year after SmackDown went off-air

Braun Strowman defeated Shinsuke Nakamura on his in-ring return in a dark match after SmackDown

Former WWE champion picks up huge victory on his in-ring return after 1 year after SmackDown went off-air

SmackDown (via WWE)

Braun Strowman picked up his first victory in almost a year in a dark match after SmackDown. He faced off against Shinsuke Nakamura, and showcased his incredible strength, and decisively defeated him. The Monster Among Men made his return to WWE during the 2024 WWE Draft.

Last year, he was drafted to the Raw brand in the 2023 WWE Draft but soon went on a hiatus. Braun Strowman stayed out for the whole year due to undergoing neck surgery. Although, he made an appearance on the August 25th episode of SmackDown, to attend the segment dedicated to Bray Wyatt, who had just passed away due to a cardiac arrest.

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Before he was forced out due to neck surgery, the 40-year-old star was involved in many high-voltage rivalries. He formed a tag team with Ricochet and feuded with Imperium before earning an Intercontinental title opportunity to face Gunther. Although he put up a tough fight, The Ring General once again reigned supreme and continued his dominant reign.

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With his return to WWE, it seemed like there was still a tag team bond between him and The One and Only. Before his first-round match against Ilja Dragunov, Strowman came backstage and said some motivating words to his friend. Many fans are eagerly awaiting his push and hope to see him in the title picture again.

Braun Strowman expressed his opinion on how Bray Wyatt impected his life and career

Although Strowman and Bray Wyatt shared a strong connection for many years, they were also engaged in a fierce rivalry in 2020. Their feud culminated in a bizarre Swamp Fight at Extreme Rules PLE. The Monster Among Men shared his thoughts on the match in an interview.

Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt
Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt (via WWE)

While speaking on the Insight podcast, the 40-year-old star talked about how that match took a toll on both of them. He stated that he was fortunate enough to use the tools his master and mentor, Wyatt, taught him all these years. However, they filmed their Swamp Fight in the hot state of Florida, and Strowman ended up being hospitalized.

That was my teacher, my mentor, my master, being able to go out there and use the tools and the assets that he taught me … it took us like 32 hours of continuous work to film this in hot a** Florida and it really put a toll on both of us. I ended up in the hospital after it, so I got home and I collapsed in my house with full body cramps.
Braun Strowman via the Insight podcast
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He further added that he collapsed in his house with cramps in his entire body and needed urgent treatment. The master got the better of the students in that match and retained the title. Although he is not present with him, Strowman said that he will always live with him in his memories.

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