28-year-old WWE Superstar wants to "take out" Sheamus on SmackDown before gunning for gold

WWE Superstar Sheamus is now a veteran of the company. SmackDown's newest imports believe they'd be making a statement by knocking off The Brawling Brutes from competition before chasing the tag team champions.

Pretty Deadly were drafted to the blue brand three weeks ago, and tonight they will make their in-ring debut on the main roster against Butch and Ridge Holland.

Appearing as guests on the latest episode of After The Bell, the duo was asked about their mindset behind making an enemy out of The Brawling Brutes trio, who are evidently "diametrically opposed" to Pretty Deadly. Kit Wilson, one-half of the NXT import, had this to say:

"As Elton [Prince] said, when we came to NXT, we came in, and we attacked the Creeds because initially, they seemed like they were going to be the number-one contenders. So let's take them out, let's make a statement, and then we'll go for the gold," Wilson recalled.

Incidentally, they captured the NXT Tag Team Championships the following week after their debut. Wilson continued:

"A similar thing for SmackDown, you need to make a statement. The Brawling Brutes are one of the best up-and-coming tag teams. No doubt they are going to be number-one contenders any day now. So let's take them out. We potentially take out Sheamus in the process, you know, a legendary performer, who we've grown up watching, and what better way to make a statement?" [39:03 onwards]

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are scheduled to defend their titles against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. Word on the rumor mill is that a returning WWE Superstar is set to reunite with his former tag team partner to challenge for the division's top prize at SummerSlam.

Will Pretty Deadly earn a title opportunity against Owens and Zayn?

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Sheamus on former WWE Champion's career-threatening injury

Sheamus took Ridge Holland under his wing on the Road to WrestleMania 38 last year, and the two sparked a feud with The New Day at the time.

During an unfortunate segment between the two teams, Holland's botched belly-to-belly suplex outside the ring caused Big E to land on his head, bringing the former WWE Champion's career to a screeching halt.

The Celtic Warrior recalled the incident while defending Ridge Holland over WrestleMania 39 weekend:

"The thing about Ridge is that I don’t think he’s got his fair whack. Obviously, stuff happened just over a year ago but, I don’t think that was anyone’s fault. That’s not his fault, and I think that... I just believe that he needs a fair crack. He comes from a rugby background, he’s strong, he’s powerful, and he just needs a proper opportunity."

Despite their incredible popularity among the WWE Universe and being a faction for a over a year now, The Brawling Brutes are yet to win the tag team gold.

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