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Professional wrestling thrives on unexpected twists, explosive moments, and crowd-shaking returns. There is nothing like the thrill when a long-lost superstar makes a comeback. Wrestling, from WWE to AEW and the old WCW, has a history of returns. They left fans speechless and arenas buzzing with excitement. It's like spinning the wheel of fate—much like a Hellspin — where you never know what shocking twist awaits.
We explore some of wrestling history's most iconic, shocking surprise returns. These iconic returns are dear to fans. They have left a lasting mark on wrestling.
Few returns have set an audience ablaze like the return of The Hardy Boyz at WrestleMania 33. Known for their daring and aerial moves, Matt and Jeff Hardy built a legacy in WWE as thrill-seekers. They played a crucial role in defining the company’s Tag Team division. Since leaving WWE, they have been competing in other promotions, such as Impact and ROH.
Rumors began to fly in early 2017. The Hardy Boyz were spotted in Orlando the night before WrestleMania. The Hardy Boyz had recently battled The Young Bucks in a ladder match during ROH’s Supercard of Honor event. Despite all the rumors, they were still deciding whether to appear at WrestleMania. When that now-traditional entrance music started blaring, the stadium erupted. It generated one of the most thunderous reactions ever heard in WWE’s history. Oh, their surprise appearance in that ladder match was iconic. That alone sealed the deal and sent fans into frenzies; they never thought they would see them back inside a WWE ring.
The Rock's returns to WWE have been genuinely monumental over the years. Anyone fan of the sport remembers at least one of his sensational comebacks. However, only some could compare to his return to WrestleMania 31. Fans were used to his sporadic appearances. But, they didn't expect him to pop up during a Triple H and Stephanie McMahon segment.
Just as things were about to get ugly, the music of The Rock fired on, and the crowd erupted. But, nothing could prepare them for his shocking appearance. It came when he invited UFC star Ronda Rousey into the ring. They sent the Authority running for cover in a surreal moment. It blurred the line between wrestling and mainstream entertainment. The Rock's surprise return was memorable. Rousey added to the Worms' glory as a WWE icon.
Edge's return at the 2020 Royal Rumble was a rare and emotional occurrence in modern WWE. An injury to his neck in 2011 forced his retirement. Fans thought they had seen the last "Rated-R Superstar" in a ring. His 2012 induction into the Hall of Fame was a final farewell.
Yet, after years of rehab and speculation, Edge shocked the world. He entered the Royal Rumble match as an unexpected contender. The crowd went wild as an emotional Edge approached the ring. Edge's return continued to be proof that in wrestling, anything can happen. Legends, once lost to injury, show up again.
In 1999, WWE hyped the arrival of a mystery superstar. A "Countdown to the Millennium" clock counted down weekly. Fans speculated wildly about the latest talent. Few guessed it was Chris Jericho. He departed from WCW, feeling that his talents weren’t being fully utilized. The explosive Jericho then made a shocking WWE debut. He interrupted The Rock during a promo.
Jericho's name was on the screen. The crowd exploded as he strode out to cut one of wrestling history's most iconic debut promos. And, due to the surprise, that overnight fame set him up as a top star for the company. The Millennium Countdown is WWE's best example of suspense. It delivered a shocking debut that thrilled fans.
When CM Punk left the WWE in 2014, he left a gaping hole in professional wrestling. Jaded with the business side of things, Punk walked away, and for many years, fans wanted to see him return. Every rumor about him signing with a wrestling promotion caused immense speculation. But, none came to life until "Rampage" in AEW in 2021.
With the buzz of a potential surprise, fans filled the United Center in Chicago to witness the moment. They awaited what may have seemed a dream come true. As Punk's music hit, the crowd roared. Punk got an emotional welcome. It wasn't a historic AEW moment. However, it became a historic milestone in the wrestling industry. This signaled the return of one of wrestling's most beloved icons.
After leaving WWE in 2004, Brock Lesnar pursued an NFL career before becoming a dominant force in the UFC. After a long break, most fans thought Lesnar was done with wrestling. On the contrary, on Sunday, 2012, Lesnar dropped a bombshell. He made his return by challenging John Cena during an episode of Raw.
Fans had been thinking about it for some time. As soon as Lesnar returned to the ring, the crowd reacted instantly and explosively. It was a surprise return. It would kick-start his second dominant run in WWE. He would hold multiple championships and become a legendary, feared wrestler.
Professional wrestling thrives on unpredictability. A shocking surprise return is the best proof of that. These moments keep fans invested. They are an icon's emotional comeback, a star's defection to a new firm, and a legend's return to change history. They serve as powerful reminders of why we are passionate about wrestling. Each return from The Hardy Boyz to CM Punk has excited wrestling fans.
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