WWE Teases The Return Of "Pete Dunne"

Last week on Friday Night SmackDown, Tyler Bate received his official main roster call up when he emerged as Butch’s mystery partner as the Bruiserweight took on Kit Wilson & Elton Prince of Pretty Deadly. The pair have been both allies and rivals throughout their professional wrestling careers, back when Butch competed as “Pete Dunne”, which was no doubt the best version of himself. 

This week, it looks as though WWE are making some movements towards shedding the “Butch” name and bringing back Pete Dunne. Bate & Butch were sitting at a nondescript coffee shop on SmackDown (with cameras of course) and were discussing their future. Although the “Big Strong Boy” Bate wanted to continue teaming with his reunited British Strong Style ally, Butch was not too fond of the idea, noting that he wanted to go it alone now that the Brawling Brutes were finished. 

Bate proceeded to give him some advice, noting that he needed to focus on mindfulness and finding the person that he used to be. He posed the question of "What is that name going to be?” which seems to suggest that a name change is in the works for Butch, with a return to Pete Dunne being the most likely direction. 

Butch has been the name for the former Pete Dunne ever since his main roster call up in 2022. He portrayed a crazed character upon his arrival on SmackDown, and was someone who needed to be kept on a proverbial leash by his Brawling Brutes buddies to ensure he didn’t go attacking anyone and everyone.