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What's the story?
Rowan and Harper absolutely demolished the SmackDown Live Tag Team roster in 2018. Though a couple of injuries kept them away at the end of the year, the Bludgeon Brothers are apparently on track for an early return in 2019.
In case you didn't know...
Luke Harper and Erick Rowan debuted a new gimmick in late 2017, dropping the first part of their names and being dubbed the "Bludgeon Brothers." Now reunited, Harper and Rowan ran through every tag team that stepped up to them with ease. The Hype Bros, The Usos, the New Day, no team was safe from the punishment that these two men dished out throughout the year.
They interjected themselves into the SmackDown Live Tag Team Title picture right before WrestleMania, beating down the Usos and the New Day at Fastlane 2018. At WrestleMania 34, they captured the titles in under six minutes, completely squashing the two top teams on the Blue Brand. The Bludgeon Brothers dominated for the next four months, even retaining their titles at SummerSlam, though it was through disqualification.
It was also at SummerSlam where Rowan tore his bicep. The next SmackDown, the Bludgeon Brothers lost their titles to the New Day in a No Disqualification match. Since then both Rowan and Harper, the latter of whom needed to have surgery on his injured wrist, have been working on getting back into the ring.
The heart of the matter
PWInsider has revealed that both Rowan and Harper are ready to return to the ring as early as next Tuesday's SmackDown Live. Rowan was seen at the WWE Performance Center this week, and it seems that he was cleared. Harper is apparently ready to go as well.
What's next?
The SmackDown Tag Titles are currently around the waists of The Bar, who will defend them at the Royal Rumble against Shane McMahon and The Miz. However, after that, it's possible the Bludgeon Brothers could be injected right back into the title picture. It wouldn't be surprising, as nobody was able to contend with their brute strength while they were on top.
