I believe there are only two things that can really impress a smarky wrestling fan: a well-timed heel turn and a superstar’s surprising return. Thinking back on the many times we’ve marked out at the mere sight of one of our favourites, I’ve narrowed down a list of the top 10 shocking returns from WWE’s past. Times where we’ve been blindsided, times where the inevitable still managed to surprise us and times which have just filled your black hearts with unadulterated happiness. Here they all are.
10. Daniel Bryan – Summerslam 2010
The story behind this one sent shockwaves through the fandom. At a time where a new generation were set to usurp the stalling John Cena, indy darling Daniel Bryan was released from his contract due to him heeling it up just a little too much on his Monday Night Raw debut. Former Ring Announcer Justin Roberts fell victim to ‘The Yes Man’ and a vicious use of a neck-tie. Needless to say it was uncomfortable to watch, but surely that was the statement WWE were trying to make during the Nexus’ first appearance. Nevertheless, Vince couldn’t be associated with such brutality, Bryan was let go of and the fans went nuts.
Undoubtedly the most popular act of the first season of alpha build NXT, the fans were quick to show their disdain for WWE’s rash reaction to Bryan’s style, which of course wouldn’t be the first time Daniel Bryan would garner such a response.
WWE had no choice but to re-think their opinion and soon began working out plans on how to bring Bryan back to television. All roads led to Summerslam and the huge elimination tag match between Team WWE (led by John Cena) and The Nexus. The WWE faction were down one man, whilst The Miz was lobbying all night long to take that place, Cena had other plans. Instead he introduced the former Nexus member, Daniel Bryan, as the final member of his team.
The crowd went absolutely crazy for Bryan and his intensity throughout the match was exactly what they wanted to see. Finally Daniel Bryan found his place on the roster, after much turmoil. It made for a cracking return.
9. The Ultimate Warrior – Wrestlemania 8
There were several conspiracies floating about surrounding The Ultimate Warrior. Having been released from the company after a backstage incident with Vince McMahon, many assumed he to have either gone postal and vanished or had passed on without major coverage. Warrior was always an elusive one.
So it came round to Wrestlemania 8 and to everyone’s surprise, Hulk Hogan was in the main event. Hulkster soon succumbed to the joint efforts of Sid and Papa Shango, Hogan desperately needed back-up. Then the drums came.
A re-invigorated Ultimate Warrior came charging down to the ring to clear out the two villains and aid his former rival. Warrior lived up to being one of the most popular performers on the roster, the fans were still wild for his entrance and ate up his typical routine in the ring. Hogan and Warrior closed Mania raising each other’s arms in a shower of pyro and confetti. It was a glorious moment worthy of closing the show.
Funnily enough the rumours of Warrior’s death continued. Something seemed fishy about Warrior’s appearance, having returned with shorter hair and a figure which didn’t quite match the Warrior’s from a year back. Could Vince have found a more compliant replacement for his original Ultimate Warrior?
8. Edge – Royal Rumble 2010
Having been out with injury since the summer of 2009, The Rated R Superstar’s returned was a much anticipated topic, expected to happen just after Wrestlemania season. What nobody expected was just how quickly Edge would push his recovery.
The Rumble is the best time of year to pull the trigger on a surprising return, so when number 29 rolled around in 2010, the crowd went absolutely crazy for Edge’s return.
Of course this wasn’t just the night of Edge’s comeback, but it was also the night Edge would go on to win the Rumble itself. A huge gesture to the future Hall of Famer and a career-defining moment.
7. Sting – Survivor Series 2014
Yeah, I know this is a bit of a cheat. But Sting’s return/debut in WWE was an absolute belter of a moment. After a fantastic 5 on 5 elimination match between Team Cena and Team Authority, things were looking bleak for the sole surviving Dolph Ziggler. Fighting off the remaining members of the opposing team, including Triple H himself, Ziggler found an unlikely ally in the man called Sting.
Having recently brokered a deal with WWE after many years of avoiding making the jump from TNA, it was only a matter of time before Sting appeared in person. Eerie visuals silenced the crowds and soon enough fans were clocking on to the vigilante’s signature iconography.
Sting hit the ring to a great reception and laid out Triple H with a Scorpion Death Drop. It was not only a shocking moment that took us all by surprise but did the legendary Sting justice in his first ever WWE moment.
6. The Undertaker – Battleground 2015
The Undertaker has had countless shocking returns and hundreds of moments to consider stuff of history. But I personally didn’t find any of them as surprising as his return in 2015 to cost Brock Lesnar his title match with Seth Rollins. Unfortunately, dirt sheets were hinting at a possible Taker appearance the night prior to Battleground, but it all seemed so unlikely considering the consensus on Battleground as a B-PPV.
But damn, it happened, and it was awesome.
Getting his revenge on the man who put him out for a year after breaking the streak, Undertaker returned with a new, dick-kicking attitude and began one of the most brutal feuds of 2015.
5. CM Punk – Raw, 2011
Throughout the summer of 2011, the WWE was alight with renewed hope, fans had been won over once again by CM Punk’s worked-shoot promo known as ‘the pipebomb’ and his feud with John Cena became stuff of legend. Staying true to his promise, Punk defeated Cena in his hometown of Chicago and left the WWE with the championship. Seemingly staying clear of WWE contracts for several weeks, fans were speculating whether we’d see Punk show up in TNA, ROH or even make the jump overseas with the championship in hand.
Everything being kept under wraps, aside from the plans for the ‘new’ WWE Championship. Rey Mysterio battled both The Miz and John Cena in one night to both win and lose his first WWE title, after the conclusion of the latter match, a strange tune played throughout the arena. For the first time, the WWE Universe were re-introduced to CM Punk as ‘The Cult of Personality’. A surreal moment to see two WWE champions share the same ring, one who was apparently not under contract.
Perhaps a little premature, but still surprising, CM Punk had made his dramatic return to conquer WWE. Unfortunately the summer of Punk did last too long, but it was still one of the greatest revivals to the sports entertainment industry.
4. Shawn Michaels – Raw, 2002
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYf7IZL8wmY
HBK hadn’t been seen in well over a year, rumours of him being a last-ditch effort to make WCW viable competition were shot down and his relationship with WWE was unknown. So when Kevin Nash announced Michaels as the newest member of the New World Order, we were all shocked. Seeing the two Kliq buddies two-sweeting one another was a sickly sight for 90s fans, a sight which unfortunately wouldn’t last too long.
The NWO’s run in WWE was a little strange, dropping in and out of feuds with random members of the roster, trying to find relevance. The hey-day of Hogan, Nash and Hall were far behind them at this point after countless returns and swerves in WCW’s dying years, so it’s hard to deny that they had lost their novelty by this point. Recruiting Michaels was a step in the right direction, but plans to bring on Triple H as part of the troupe were soon dropped and the faction faded away.
But still, it made for a fun, nostalgic moment which nobody saw coming.
3. The Rock – Raw, 2011
Wrestlemania 27 was on the horizon and a guest host was being teased on a weekly basis. During the time of random celebrities showing up for a cheap cameo on Raw, hopes for someone satisfying were at an all time low. Maybe they’d bring back Bob Barker? Or even The Muppets again?
A sigh of relief was heard across the world when the most electrifying man in sports entertainment made his dramatic return to WWE. Having spent many years away building his repertoire in Hollywood, WWE fans were itching to see The Rock make a comeback and lay the smackdown on the new generation. So when the pageantry of his entrance hit, fans were entranced and were screaming from the moment he stepped through the curtain and for the 20 minutes he had to entertain like no other.
This was of course just the start of The Rock’s WWE return, as he’d begin the dream feud with John Cena which lasted over two years, A WWE Championship win and record-setting shortest Wrestlemania match would soon follow.
2. Jim Ross – Wrestlemania 33
Consider just how shit of a year JR has had, for him to make a special comeback at this year’s Wrestlemania to call the main event, so soon after the recent tragedies, was a return worthy of making it to the top of this list.
Jim Ross is the voice of wrestling, if he’s calling your match then you know you’ve made it. The fans gave the utmost respect, something which I believe he’s warranted after this moment.
1. John Cena – Royal Rumble 2008
Similar to Edge, Cena had been kept out of action for most of the previous year with an injury and as the Rumble crept around, Cena pushed himself to make his return for the New Year. Madison Square Garden is a special place where some of the greatest comebacks and moments have taken place. John Cena’s surprising return at Number 30 probably tops them all.
Bare in mind this was a time where pretty much the entire WWE Universe were behind Cena, I know, hard to believe such a time existed. The Garden went crazy for Cena, who would go on to eliminate most of the Rumble competitors and go on to win the whole thing. It was a comeback worthy of his status.
Are there any returns that have stood out to you? Any I missed? Leave them in the comments below.
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