Shelton Benjamin In New Talks Over WWE Return

With his injury troubles behind him, is 'The Gold Standard' coming to SmackDown?

by Andy H Murray
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WWE.com

Almost a full year after his WWE return was first advertised on SmackDown, Shelton Benjamin may finally be on his way back to the company.

According to a new report from Pro Wrestling Sheet, WWE officials are once again in talks with the former Intercontinental Champion, and while a deal is still to be agreed, things are "heading in the right direction". In all likelihood, Benjamin will arrive on SmackDown once a contract is finalised and creative plans are in place.

‘The Gold Standard’ was set to return following the 2016 Draft, with WWE hyping him up with a vignette on the 26 July SmackDown, but the company pulled the plug shortly afterwards. Benjamin revealed on Twitter that his medical examination revealed a torn rotator cuff, and that until he’d made a full recovery, the comeback was off.

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Shelton was officially cleared to compete in March, and has since returned to action on the American independent circuit. He tweeted the following in April, indicating he was keeping his options open:-

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If Benjamin does return, it'll be the first time he has appeared for WWE since April 2010, when he was released from his previous contract.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.