At tonight’s WWE Royal Rumble event, former SmackDown Tag Team Champion Erick Rowan made his return to the company during the WWE Championship match between AJ Styles and champion Daniel Bryan.

During the match, the referee was inadvertently knocked out, which enabled Rowan to enter the ring and attack Styles, allowing Bryan to pin Styles and retain the title. Following the match, Rowan held Styles up as Bryan hit him with a running knee. Rowan then raised Bryan’s hand in the air, signifying that the two had formed a surprise alliance.

Rowan has been out of action since August 2018 due to a biceps injury.