WWE Friday Night SmackDown sees the return of two wrestlers long absent from the show. Another comeback is also announced
On the last edition of the Friday Night SmackDown TV show before Christmas, WWE staged another comeback – and announced yet another one.
The Mexican tag team of Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo made their first main roster appearance in over half a year on Saturday night. The two teamed up – initially disguised with masks – with fellow countryman Santos Escobar.
WWE SmackDown: Garza and Carrillo help Santos Escobar
Garza – son of ex-WWE and -WCW wrestler Hector Garza, who died young – and his cousin Carrillo – also a third-generation “luchador” – attacked the Street Profits associated with Lashley during a match between Escobar and Bobby Lashley.
The intervention distracted Lashley and allowed Escobar to advance to the finals of a tournament for a title match against US Champion Logan Paul. After the win for Escobar, the two returnees revealed themselves alongside him
NO WAY! @AngelGarzaWWE and @humberto_wwe just helped @EscobarWWE move one step closer to @LoganPaul‘s USTitle! SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ewIfQ3raOD
– WWE (@WWE) December 23, 2023
Social media superstar Paul captured the title in November with a win over legend Rey Mysterio. Escobar – previously allied with Mysterio – turned on the veteran star shortly afterward, completing a heel turn into a villain. Garza and Carrillo – parked on the NXT developmental squad in recent months – now support him.The tournament finale will take place on January 5 at a SmackDown special called “New Year’s Revolution” (formerly a WWE Pay Per View), with Kevin Owens defeating the up-and-coming Carmelo Hayes as the final opponent. Also set for NYR is a three-way match to determine Universal Champion Roman Reigns’ next opponent. The participants are Randy Orton, LA Knight and the newly returned AJ Styles, who attacked both Reigns and Knight last week and now also brawled with Orton.
Authors of Pain also set to return
Another comeback was announced in a video segment: The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar), who were released in fall 2020, were shown during a promo speech by Karrion Kross, hinting at an alliance with Kross and wife Scarlett.
“AOP” were last seen on WWE as enforcers for reigning World Champion Seth Rollins during his stint as the guru-like “Monday Night Messiah”. After their departure, the two heavyweights wanted to set up their own ambitious league project called WSE, but it ended in disaster.
According to media reports, WWE re-signed the two last year, at the time still unnoticed by the public.
