WWE Rumors: 4-time World Champion prepared for return by facing Kona Reeves in in-house matches

One of the most surprising moments from the November 29 episode of SmackDown came when Sheamus marked his first appearance on WWE television in over seven months by cutting a promo in the backstage area.

Writing on Fightful Select, Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp is reporting that, although the four-time WWE World Champion has not competed in an official match since shortly after WrestleMania 35, he had been in the ring as far back as April, working in-house matches at the Performance Center against NXT Superstar Kona Reeves.

On-screen, Sheamus’ last in-ring appearance took place on the episode of SmackDown following WrestleMania, where he teamed with Cesaro and Drew McIntyre in a losing effort against all three members of The New Day.

What did Sheamus say on his return?

Sporting a similar look to his original 2009-2014 WWE run, Sheamus appeared in a dark corridor on the latest episode of SmackDown.

The Irishman said he has had a lot of time to sit back and watch the current roster and state of SmackDown, which he described as “pathetic”. He added that his fellow Superstars are “misfits and cowards”, vowing to return and “ravage everything and everyone who stands in my way”.

He even namechecked “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt, King Corbin and Shorty G as three people who fit into the “misfits and cowards” category, so it is unclear if he will be a babyface or a heel upon his return.

Listen to the first episode of The Rosser Rewind with Fred Rosser (fka Darren Young) and Korey Gunz!

What’s next for Sheamus?

During his 10 years in WWE, Sheamus has won the WWE Championship (x3), World Heavyweight Championship, United States Championship (x2), Raw Tag Team Championship (x4), SmackDown Tag Team Championship, King of the Ring (2010), Royal Rumble (2012) and Money In The Bank (2015).

The man himself has mentioned in out-of-character interviews that he wants to complete the set by winning the Intercontinental Championship, which is presumably why he has returned as a member of the SmackDown roster.