The former NXT UK star Tyler Bate made his return to WWE RAW today, where he appeared alongside Pete Dunne to take on the New Day as the New Catch Republic.
Bate had been away from the ring since July 2024, when he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in a match on WWE NXT. On Monday’s episode of RAW, in front of a hometown crowd in England, Bate got a rousing ovation as he got back into the ring.
Unfortunately for Bate, New Catch Republic was unable to come away with the win. The duo lost after Xavier Woods hit a massive top rope stomp onto Dunne.
The New Day gets their match right now on #WWERaw against the returning NEW CATCH REPUBLIC! ?? pic.twitter.com/vD3CajhW9G
— WWE (@WWE) March 31, 2025
Bate announced he had surgery a week after the injury happened. He said that he tore his left pectoral major and tendon off the bone. Bate said he’ll be gone for “some time” while he recovered, but looked forward to seeing everyone soon.
“Tore my left pectoral major & tendon off the bone last week at NXT,” Bate wrote. “Surgery yesterday was successful and all has been put back where it belongs. I’ll be gone for some time while I recover, try not to miss me too much. I’m in good spirits and looking forward to seeing you all again soon, lots of love.”
In February, it was reported by Mike Johnson of PWInsider that Bate was “extremely close” to returning from his injury.
