@WWE/Twitter

Former champion reportedly returning to WWE after 7-year absence

Is he finally back after all this time?

It's about time!

According to Mike Johnson of Pro Wrestling Insider, former Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin has re-signed with the company after originally being let go back in 2010. Benjamin had reportedly signed last month, but if that was the case, WWE has yet to use him in any television capacity.

Benjamin's initial agreement to return to WWE on the SmackDown Live brand last year fell through after an injury was found during his medical checks by the company. Benjamin has since had surgery to repair the issue, and it looks like he is finally on his way back.

Benjamin originally broke into wrestling with Brock Lesnar, as the two were originally part of the University of Minnesota amateur wrestling team. After debuting on WWE television in 2002, Benjamin quickly gained acclaim for his outstanding athleticism.

In his original run in WWE, Benjamin won the Intercontinental Championship three times, the tag team titles twice with Charlie Haas, and the U.S. Championship once. Benjamin was released from the company in 2010 as part of the company's mass-releases after that year's WrestleMania.