WWE Locker Room Reportedly Eager for Baron Corbin's Return

The WWE locker room is reportedly keen on a looming reunion with a former United States Champion.

Earlier this week, news emerged that WWE was set to bring back Baron Corbin, who currently performs as Bishop Dyer in Major League Wrestling. Corbin's first WWE tenure began in 2012 and ended after 12 years in Nov. 2024 when his contract expired.

According to a report from WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, Corbin was "a locker room favorite" during his first stint in WWE. Sources also told WrestleVotes that WWE superstars "would like to see him" back in the company.

Before professional wrestling, Corbin (real name Thomas Pestock) was a star football guard at Northwest Missouri State. He tried out for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, but never made a roster.

Corbin signed with WWE in 2012 and was assigned to their NXT developmental brand. He joined the main roster in 2016 and emerged as one of their top mid-card stars, winning the 2017 André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and the 2017 Money in the Bank ladder match.

The 41-year-old had a 69-day reign with the United States Championship in 2017 and briefly shared the NXT Tag Team titles with Bron Breakker in 2024.

Baron Corbin's Return Should Bolster WWE Locker Room Morale

WWE stunned many fans after WrestleMania 42 by releasing more than 30 superstars, including The New Day, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega and Apollo Crews. Though WWE has never shied away from making tough business decisions, the moves obviously couldn't have sat well in the locker room.

But if Corbin was well-liked backstage, his return should strongly boost locker room morale. Not only that, but his success as a tag team and mid-card performer should help the quality of a WWE product that's become largely stale since the retirements of legends like John Cena and A.J. Styles.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 2:03 PM.