Ranking All 29 WWE Returns And Debuts In 2022
8. Butch
Butch’s callup to the main roster in March was on pace to be
one of the worst of the year before the new regime seemingly saved him.
The former Pete Dunne came up with a stupid name change and a new persona of a rabid dog, running around like a deranged, feral child that Sheamus and Ridge Holland couldn’t control. It was quite embarrassing to see the Bruiserweight racing off into the crowd in his skinny pants and suspenders and realizing that this was how Vince McMahon saw one of NXT’s top stars.
But Butch found his stride as the craziness was toned down and they focused more on his violent in-ring style, which meshed well with his fellow Brawling Brutes teammates. By the end of the year, the Brutes and Imperium had had a celebrated feud, and Butch & Holland were a formidable tag team that could compete for tag titles down the line.
Once again, Butch is another entry that gained standing
under the new regime, saving him from a dismal 2022.