Three Superstars Return From Injury On WWE SmackDown On FOX

Friday night's edition of WWE SmackDown from Birmingham, AL was notable for, if nothing else, the return of three superstars, each of whom had been absent for at least some time.

The most notable return of the bunch is

. The former multi-time WWE champion hadn't been seen since shortly after WrestleMania 35. The 41-year-old has been dealing with spinal stenosis, but was cleared for a return in September.

In Sheamus' return, he cut a promo denouncing SmackDown as "pathetic", while name-dropping several individuals on the show as examples.

Also making her comeback, albeit from a shorter time away, is

. She last wrestled at October's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, where she and Nikki Cross lost the Women's Tag Team titles to The Kabuki Warriors.

Bliss and Cross are scheduled to take part in a four-way match for those belts at Starrcade this Sunday in Atlanta.

Lastly,

made his first appearance since getting pulled from the King of the Ring Tournament close to three months ago, due to injury.

Elias appeared in a backstage segment with Dana Brooke and Drake Maverick, and sang a song mocking Maverick.