Tag: Butch

‘Brawling Brutes’ name revealed for Sheamus stable on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new name has been given to the Sheamus, Butch, and Ridge Holland group.

On tonight’s SmackDown, a backstage segment between Sheamus, Holland, and Butch revealed the new name for the group, Brawling Brutes. The name was also seen during Butch’s entrance for his match against Xavier Woods, and was also mentioned on commentary.

It was reported earlier this week that WWE had trademarked the term ‘Bloody Brutes’ on May 12.

Woods defeated Butch tonight on SmackDown in a singles match. After the match, Holland and Sheamus taunted Woods from the entranceway. However, it was a distraction, as Butch jumped Woods from behind. In a interview backstage, Woods promised he, Kofi Kingston, and a third partner would take on the Brawling Brutes in a six-man tag match next week.

Holland was drafted to SmackDown last fall and was immediately paired up with Sheamus. In March, Pete Dunne was called up to the main roster under the name Butch and was introduced as a childhood friend of Sheamus and Holland. Since then, the team has been feuding with The New Day, leading to a win at WrestleMania 38 when Holland & Sheamus defeated Kingston and Woods. The feud has continued in the weeks since.

Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Xavier Woods vs. Butch set for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE has added two matches to the lineup for Friday’s edition of SmackDown. 

Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura will face off in singles action on the show. Xavier Woods is also scheduled to wrestle Butch. 

“The self-proclaimed ‘locker room leader’ Sami Zayn is out to prove his value once again to The Bloodline by stepping in to deal with a disgruntled Shinsuke Nakamura,” reads a WWE.com description for Zayn vs. Nakamura.

“Xavier Woods is ready to show Butch the true meaning of fight night after laying down a one-on-one challenge to the rabid bruiser,” reads a WWE.com description for Woods vs. Butch. 

Tonight’s episode of SmackDown comes from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. According to WrestleTix, 7013 tickets have been distributed for the show as of Friday afternoon. 

The full lineup for SmackDown is as follows:

  • RK-Bro (Riddle & Randy Orton) vs. The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) in a WWE Tag Team Championship Unification match 
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn
  • Xavier Woods vs. Butch

Kofi Kingston to face Butch on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has made a new match announcement for tonight’s episode of SmackDown.

A singles match between Kofi Kingston and Butch (Pete Dunne) will take place on SmackDown tonight. The show is being held at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

On last week’s SmackDown, Butch helped Sheamus & Ridge Holland win a tables match against Kingston & Xavier Woods. Butch attacked Woods after the match until Sheamus and Holland stopped him.

“What once was lost now is found! After being missing for weeks, Butch reemerged from under the ring last week on the blue brand and unleashed an attack on Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods that helped Sheamus & Ridge Holland win a Tables Match,” WWE wrote.

“Tonight, the brutal conflict will continue when the tough-as-nails Butch goes head-to-head with Kingston in a highly-personal showdown. Don’t miss all the action of SmackDown at 8/7 C on FOX.”

Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s SmackDown:

  • Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro confront The Bloodline
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Naomi defend against Natalya & Shayna Baszler
  • Kofi Kingston vs. Butch

Wrestling Observer Live: Nikkita Lyons, Butch, and the WWE star-making system

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley returns this week as Jim looks not just at the cuts in NXT, but how NXT and stars like Nikkita Lyons are an insight on WWE and what to expect in the future of WWE. You need a distinct look and and trademark to make it as a character. 

We’ll also look at Butch and compare him to another star from the 90s: Skinner. Plus, should WWE create a championship that is only defended at live events? All this and more, check it out. 

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WWE’s Butch addresses his name change, SmackDown call-up

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE’s Butch appeared on BBC’s Mark Andrews: My Love Letter to Wrestling podcast Thursday to address his name change from Pete Dunne and SmackDown call-up. 

When asked about the change in character from Pete Dunne to Butch, Butch said that his name was not his main connection with the wrestling audience to begin with. 

“The thing is with me, whether it’s a name or whatever changes, that’s not what really endeared me to the audience in the first place, right? I’d like to think anyway it’s the quality of the in-ring work, and that’s what I’m going to keep the same, of course. And it’s going to get better, it’s going to improve as time goes,” Butch said. 

“It’s exciting. I’ve been in NXT for five years now, so time to change it up and see what we can do and push it forward with a new challenge,” said Butch. 

“It’s exciting, but it’s also just a little bit different. I think it’s time to change it up a little bit. Five years, fresh start, and why not try something a little new.”

Butch spoke fondly of his time in WWE NXT, but also said that he felt the time was right to be called up to WWE’s SmackDown roster. 

“I was lucky to have as long as I did in NXT. And to be honest, there was a time there when I felt like it’d be a shame to stop being in NXT,” Butch said. 

“Honestly, we always wanted to move on and be a part of WrestleMania and that kind of stuff. But there was a definitely a time there where NXT was rolling how it was, there was so many people to work with, every matchup was exciting when you were on the road, TV, pay-per-view or TakeOver special, whatever it was, and it seemed like a really sad thought to be out of there,” said Butch. 

“But it’s definitely time to move up. So I’m grateful for five years, but definitely excited to see what comes next.”

The full podcast episode can be heard here.

WWE SmackDown video highlights: Pete Dunne renamed Butch

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Pete Dunne arrived on SmackDown last night, but he did so using a new name.

Sheamus and Ridge Holland became a trio as they introduced Dunne as their newest associate. Sheamus said some people may know this person by a different name, but they know him by his nickname — Butch.

Butch helped Sheamus & Holland defeat Big E & Kofi Kingston in a tag team match last night. He distracted Kingston, which led to Sheamus blindsiding Kingston with a Brogue Kick. Butch then attacked Kingston after the match. Sheamus and Holland pulled Butch away, but Butch went back and attacked him again.

There was a terrifying moment during the tag match where a spot went wrong and Big E landed on his head when Holland gave him an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the floor. Big E was stretchered out and later posted an update from the hospital. Big E said he was able to move all of his digits and his strength felt fine, but doctors were telling him that his neck is broken.

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

WWE recaps Roman Reigns attacking Brock Lesnar at MSG house show

Brock Lesnar chases down Paul Heyman

Pete Dunne debuts on SmackDown as Butch

Big E & Kofi Kingston vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland

Happy Corbin, Madcap Moss, Jinder Mahal, and Shanky ambush Drew McIntyre, McIntyre fights them off

Charlotte Flair promises to make Ronda Rousey tap out by the end of the night

Sasha Banks & Naomi vs. Natalya & Shayna Baszler

Jey Uso vs. Rick Boogs

Pat McAfee brawls with Austin Theory

Ricochet vs. Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental title

Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair fight in the parking lot

SmackDown fallout: Sasha Banks & Naomi are ready for anything at WrestleMania

SmackDown fallout: If you try to play The Usos, they’ll play you right back

Speak Now: Butch, Big E injury, SmackDown & Rampage

Posted on by Denise Salcedo

Join on-camera personality Denise Salcedo as she breaks down the March 11th editions of both WWE SmackDown and AEW Rampage. 

The first portion of the stream focuses on the most noteworthy moments from Smackdown, including the name change of Pete Dunne to “Butch” and the unfortunate Big E injury. 

The second portion of the stream is all about AEW Rampage, we go over the biggest moments of the night including the debut of Swerve Strickland.

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Pete Dunne renamed Butch in WWE SmackDown debut

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Pete Dunne, under a new name, made his main roster debut on SmackDown tonight.

In a backstage promo, Sheamus introduced Dunne under the name Butch. Sheamus said that while he was known as another name elsewhere, he and Ridge Holland knew him under his nickname.

Butch later accompanied Sheamus and Holland to a match where they faced Big E and Kofi Kingston in a tag team match. The finish had Butch climb on the apron to distract Kofi, leading Sheamus to throw Kofi off the top rope and pin him for the win following the brouge kick. After the match, Butch attacked Kingston until he was held back by Sheamus and Holland. But Butch resumed the attack until he was finally finished.

Dunne signed with the WWE in early 2017, working both on the NXT UK brand and NXT. He’s held the NXT United Kingdom Championship and is also a 1 time NXT Tag Team Champion with Riddle. He most recently was on the March 1 episode of NXT, losing to Carmelo Hayes in a match for the North American Championship. He re-signed with the WWE last summer.