Will ‘The Lone Wolf' Capture Gold Following His 2026 WWE Return?

On the July 10th episode of SmackDown, United States Champion Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes squared off in a non-title match. Before the match could reach its conclusion, a returning Baron Corbin made his presence known, attacking both men and putting them down with an End of Days. Corbin, who hadn’t been seen on WWE television since his release in 2024, was finally back with the company, and there seems to be gold on his mind. By targeting the United States Championship, he has demonstrated that he isn’t back just to reminisce about old memories. Corbin wants gold, and how soon he might find himself with a title around his waist is only a matter of time.

Before ending a 12-year tenure with WWE in 2024, Corbin had accomplished many things on NXT and on the main roster. He began his career on NXT as ‘The Lone Wolf’, destroying anyone who stood in his way and leaving them down with his finisher, the End of Days, a move that was highly protected during his entire WWE run. Although he wouldn’t win any titles during his first NXT run, his main roster run showed more success. Corbin won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale in his main roster debut at WrestleMania 32. A move to SmackDown gave him the opportunity at new success, winning the Money in the Bank contract before suffering a failed cash-in against WWE Champion Jinder Mahal on the SmackDown before SummerSlam 2017. A few months later, Corbin would capture his first title on the main roster, winning the United States Championship, and he would hold on to the title for 70 days.

The next few years were rough on the former United States Champion’s career. First, he would be placed as the Constable of Raw, a move that saw him being booed heavily every single show. Corbin then went on to retire Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 35, a decision that left many baffled. Although he went on to win the 2019 King of the Ring Tournament, his following feud with Roman Reigns left a sour taste in many’s mouths, as the whole purpose of their feud involved dog food. The former Money in the Bank winner suddenly became homeless and then won a fortune in Las Vegas, turning him into Happy Corbin, a comedy gimmick that didn’t really go over with the fans. Corbin’s bad luck with gimmicks was about to turn around once he went back to NXT. A feud with Bron Breakker turned into the creation of a new tag team called The Wolf Dogs. Their run was rewarded with the NXT Tag Team Championship, turning Corbin into a face due to the large amount of crowd support. After Corbin and Breakker’s tag team run, the former United States Champion was drafted to SmackDown, where he would spend the rest of his tenure before his contract expired in 2024. 

Corbin’s return to WWE comes as a huge surprise, as he had been making a name for himself in Major League Wrestling and in the independent circuit. With rumors that the former Money in the Bank winner was considering going back to WWE, and with the company filing to trademark ‘The Nomad’, it was only a matter of time before he made his return to WWE. It came as a shock seeing him go after the United States Championship, but it makes a lot of sense knowing that it was the first title Corbin ever won on the main roster. With his return, WWE has many routes to go with him, as he could win the United States title immediately, or WWE could have him wait for a bit. With his past relationship with Breakker, he could attempt to go back with him and reform their team, although it’s a long shot at the moment since both men are on different brands. Realistically, going after and winning the United States title is the best option to go with.