Since taking over creative control in the wake of Vince McMahon’s retirement in July, Triple H has made numerous changes to WWE programming and its talent roster.
The new Chief Content Officer has hired back multiple stars who were released under Vince McMahon‘s regime, including Dakota Kai, Bronson Reed, Karrion Kross, and Braun Strowman.
The Game has also undone some of the name changes that McMahon decreed. Doudrop is once again known as Piper Niven, and both Austin Theory and Tommaso Ciampa have gotten their full names back after having them shortened under McMahon.
Triple H Wants To Bring Back Pete Dunne
One of the many stars who underwent an identity change under Vince McMahon’s regime was Pete Dunne. The star had been dominant in both NXT UK and NXT 2.0, having reigned as both NXT UK Champion as well as NXT Tag Team Champion alongside Matt Riddle.
However, when he was called up to the SmackDown roster in March of 2022, fans were shocked to learn that the Bruiserweight was now going by the name Butch. Aligning with Sheamus and Ridge Holland, the star took on a more comedic role as part of the Brawling Brutes.
Despite taking on more of a comedic role in the group, Dunne became a fan favorite under his new identity, and while they have yet to capture gold as a team, the group has found plenty of success and popularity.
Now, according to a new report from WrestleVotes via GiveMeSport, the WWE Chief Content Officer is intent on restoring Dunne’s original name and identity, a change that has already seemed in progress as he’s returned to his Bruiserweight gear as opposed to dressing in suspenders while he wrestles. The report notes that Triple H has wanted to make this change for a while, but the popularity of the Brawling Brutes prevented this, as Dunne is set to leave the group when he undergoes the transformation.
“Absolutely, I was told that it’s in the works. When Hunter came back, I was told that Pete Dunne was due to become Pete Dunne, but somebody said, to wait because The Brawling Brutes were catching on. When Pete Dunne returns, it won’t be as a member of the Brawling Brutes. I’m sure he’ll be back by the end of this year.”
Dunne was last in action in a dark match against Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER following the March 10th episode of SmackDown.