Lars Sullivan Returns To Action After “Suffering Broken Jaw” At NXT TakeOver: Chicago II

Lars Sullivan is back.

In his first match since losing to NXT Champion Aleister Black at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II on June 16, “The Freak” returned to action at last night’s NXT live event in Ocala, Florida.

It’s time for #LarsAndInCharge! @lars_sullivan #NXTOcala

A post shared by WWE NXT (@wwenxt) on Jul 20, 2018 at 5:19pm PDT

In a battle of the hosses, Sullivan faced Dan Matha in his return bout.

#nxtocala @LarsSWWE great match tonight. pic.twitter.com/EHIEByUDob

— Melanie C (@gpeaches50) July 21, 2018

Well now yah done it. That’s an angry giant #nxtocala pic.twitter.com/AXzs6BicMO

— Coral Nolan (@CoralChelle) July 21, 2018

Welcome back @LarsSWWE #NXTOcala pic.twitter.com/rHcTHut8BE

— Kyle (@FLWrestlingFan) July 21, 2018

@LarsSWWE is destroying it in the ring at #NXTOcala pic.twitter.com/YBS498CI2x

— Kevin Brakley (@drkside20) July 21, 2018

Sullivan reigned supreme after nailing Matha with the Freak Accident.

M3 – @LarsSWWE pinned @TheDanMatha in a HOSS FIGHT #NXTOcala pic.twitter.com/Oy1CZPul6A

— Kyle (@FLWrestlingFan) July 21, 2018

@LarsSWWE is the winner tonight at #NXTOcala pic.twitter.com/KEiETRyFS0

— Kevin Brakley (@drkside20) July 21, 2018

@LarsSWWE #NXTOcala pic.twitter.com/UPbiW82KKf

— mike (@mike01971553) July 21, 2018

@LarsSWWE out here doing it for the soyboys. #NXTOcala pic.twitter.com/qC1pbeeyJO

— J.D. (@JDShouseII) July 21, 2018

On the June 27 episode of NXT, Mauro Ranallo claimed that Sullivan suffered a broken jaw during his NXT Championship Match against Black at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II. This X-ray photo was then shown.

.@LarsSWWE left Chicago without the #NXTChampionship… and with a broken jaw. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/UVLYqQkQ9s

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 28, 2018

Dave Meltzer reported last week in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the injury is not legitimate since it was staged for storyline purposes.

“My guess is that they wanted to tell the story that he was so tough he broke his jaw early in the match with Aleister Black, kept going, and that’s an excuse for losing to protect the mystique since it was his first loss since they started pushing him,” Meltzer wrote.

“They are keeping him off shows for a while to sell the injury as legit.”

Sullivan probably won’t show up on NXT TV for at least another month since he did not appear before fans at Wednesday’s television tapings at Full Sail Live in Winter Park, Florida (click here for complete spoilers). This set of tapings was the final build to TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, which takes place on August 18.

• See 10 rare photos of Lars Sullivan outside the ring →