Ex-WWE Champion teases in-ring return ahead of SmackDown

Last weekend in Glasgow, CM Punk announced that he was skipping WWE RAW for SmackDown this week as Chicago will be hosting the blue brand's episode. Naturally, the tickets were sold out thanks to The Second City Saint's television return at the Allstate Arena. Perhaps there could be another return tonight as well.

Bobby Lashley was announced for the King of the Ring Tournament in May but was pulled at the last minute and replaced by Angelo Dawkins. It was announced by the General Manager, Nick Aldis, that the former WWE Champion had sustained an injury while training.

Taking to Instagram two days ago, The All Mighty shared a picture of himself training to get ready for a return to in-ring action again.

"Rebuilding… #TheAllMighty," he wrote.

You can check out his post below:

While Bobby Lashley and Randy Orton were missing on SmackDown, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, and Kevin Owens joined forces to take on Solo Sikoa's Bloodline. It remains to be seen what The All Mighty has planned when he returns to the ring.

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Carmelo Hayes responds to the disrespectful claims made by the former WWE Champion

Bobby Lashley was looking to recruit Carmelo Hayes in The Pride. He even discussed the matter with the latter in the fall of 2023 when the former NXT Champion made an appearance on the blue brand alongside Trick Williams.

However, after Hayes was drafted to Friday nights as part of the WWE Draft earlier this year, things looked starkly different from last year. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams had already split in NXT, and the former wanted nothing to do with Bobby Lashley. The veteran took this as disrespect towards him and told the rookie off.

Speaking on the Masked Man Show in May prior to The All Mighty's injury, Carmelo Hayes discussed the former WWE Champion's issues with him. He claimed that it was not only Lashley but every veteran in the company today. They were all "comfortable" and making money, according to Hayes, and he was there to keep everyone on their toes.

"I'm not coming in quiet and I'm not coming in timid, I'm coming in strong. Like I said, they're comfortable and I'm coming in to make everybody uncomfortable. I want them to know that I'm there, want them to feel my presence, I want them to see me as a threat. [...] That's why I went and challenged Cody Rhodes on my first night because, you know, why can't that be me? So, Bobby is going to feel what Bobby is going to feel," said Hayes.

WWE has not followed up on this storyline yet. Meanwhile, Carmelo Hayes will be getting a shot at qualifying for the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match tonight. He will wrestle Randy Orton and Tama Tonga in a Triple-Threat Match with the winner qualifying for the Ladder Match in the PLE.