Bray Wyatt’s long-awaited return to WWE is expected to take place by Extreme Rules, if reports are to be believed.
From the moment Triple H became WWE’s Head of Creative following the retirement of Vince McMahon, rumours have been swirling about Wyatt making a sensational comeback.
This has only been amplified by the “White Rabbit” teases on WWE TV in recent weeks, with all signs pointing towards Bray coming back.
With Bray’s big return set to happen, GiveMeSport runs you through 12 of the best WWE returns to ever take place…
12. The Undertaker – 2000
Taker had been written off TV in September 1999 in a storyline “firing” by Vince McMahon. In reality, he took a hiatus to deal with a multitude of injuries.
At Judgement Day in May 2000, he finally returned. Just not as the “Lord of Darkness” character he had departed as. He was now the “American Badass,” a humanised biker version of the iconic character, and his greatest transformation to date.
The Undertaker returned at Judgement Day 2000
He interrupted Triple H and the McMahon-Helmsley faction’s beatdown of The Rock during an epic 60-minute Iron Man match for the WWE title, riding down to the ring on the back of a motorcycle to the thunderous roars of the crowd. He destroyed everything in his path, inadvertently costing The Rock the title as the result of a disqualification.
Regardless, it made for incredible television during arguably WWE’s hottest year ever.
11. Ric Flair – 2001
It had been over eight years since the Nature Boy had appeared in WWE by the time he returned in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina in a stunning finish to the November 19th, 2001 edition of Raw.
Just as Vince was set to strip Stone Cold Steve Austin of the WWE title for his role in the WCW/ECW invasion (terrible storyline) and hand the title to Kurt Angle, Flair’s iconic music hit.
Ric Flair returned in 2001
Naitch informed the two men that when Shane and Stephanie sold their stock in WWE (again part of the Invasion storyline) to a consortium, that the “consortium was me!!!” in classic bombastic Flair fashion.
Stone Cold then arrived, clearing both Vince and Angle out of the ring before being handed his title back by Flair. Two of the all-time greats shared a beer to close the show and mark an epic return.
10. Edge – 2020
Edge had retired the night after WrestleMania in 2011 due to a severe neck injury and was never expected to take a bump, let alone return to the ring full-time. He did just that at the Royal Rumble in January 2020, entering at no. 21 to an enormous fan reaction.
The Rated R Superstar proceeded to deliver spears to every superstar in the ring, signalling his return to prominence. He lasted until the final three before being eliminated by Roman Reigns.
Edge returned at the 2020 Royal Rumble
Edge’s shock return led to a WrestleMania 36 match with career friend/foe Randy Orton, and a Rumble win the following year. He has since had epic encounters with Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins and AJ Styles.
9. Bret Hart – 2010
The Hitman had not been seen on WWE television (outside of the 2006 Hall of Fame) since the infamous events of Survivor Series 1997. But they do always say “never say never” in professional wrestling.
Built up in storyline weeks prior, Hart made his return on the January 4th episode of Raw, acting as the guest host for the night. After acknowledging the fans, he called for his career rival HBK to come to the ring.
Bret Hart returned and embraced Shawn Michaels
The two men aired their grievances and recognised that their Ironman match at WrestleMania 12 should be the highlight of their relationship, not the Montreal Screwjob. The two then buried the hatchet, embracing in the ring. It was reality, not just storyline.
Later in the night, Vince appeared to make amends with Bret too (they had in real-life), only to then attack him. This set up a match at WrestleMania 26, which The Hitman won with the help of his family.
8. New World Order – 2002
Hulk Hogan had left WWE in 1993. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in 1996. All three men played a huge role in the rise and fall of WCW as leaders of the New World Order (NWO), which at one point looked to have Vince and co. on the ropes.
NWO at No Way Out 2002
However, following WCW’s demise the three men returned to their former employer, in storyline as a “lethal dose of poison” to kill the WWE. Vince simply could not handle sharing his creation with Ric Flair.
The massive return came at No Way Out, where the group started feuds with The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, which eventually led to an epic WrestleMania 18 showdown between The Great One and The Hulkster.
7. John Cena – 2008
Cena tore his pectoral muscle in October 2007, an injury that should have kept him out for nine months. Instead, he returned just four months later as the no. 30 entrant in the Royal Rumble.
John Cena made a stunning return at 2008 Royal Rumble
What made his return even more special was that so few people knew about it. Fans both at home and in the sold-out Madison Square Garden had not heard a peep. Nor did many of the wrestlers in the ring. Triple H’s stunned face a testament to this.
Cena’s insane levels of recovery resulted in him winning his first Rumble match and headlining yet another WrestleMania.
6. Roman Reigns - 2020
Reigns could go in as a double entry given he returned after a battle with leukemia in February 2019 following a four month absence, but his return at Summerslam 2020 changed everything in WWE.
Roman Reigns returned at Summerslam 2020
Due to being immunocompromised, he took a leave of absence upon the outset of the pandemic, only returning at the close of the Summerslam main event between Braun Strowman and Bray Waytt in "Fiend" form. Attacking both men, Reigns gave the fans what they wanted and turned heel for the first time since 2014.
He soon aligned with Paul Heyman, won the Universal Championship from Wyatt, became "The Tribal Chief" and formed The Bloodline. The rest is history.
5. Cody Rhodes - 2022
The most recent entry, Rhodes' mega return at WrestleMania this year was heavily predicted in the weeks prior but still absolutely shocking given all that had happened since his departure from the company in 2016.
"The American Nightmare" had reinvented himself on the independent scene and helped create AEW, the first mainstream competition to WWE in near 20 years. It was unfathomable that he would return. However he did, besting Seth Rollins in the first of their three excellent matches.
Cody Rhodes made a shocking return to WWE
Cody has been on the shelf since his horrific torn pectoral injury, meaning his next return in the coming months could be even bigger and lead to a long-awaited WWE title run for the Rhodes family.
4. Brock Lesnar – 2012
Lesnar had been WWE’s top star prior to his abrupt departure after WrestleMania 20. His legend had only grown in his eight years away from the company, as he conquered the world of MMA, becoming the UFC Heavyweight Champion.
Brock Lesnar put down John Cena in his 2012 return
Rumours swirled in the days prior to the Raw after WrestleMania 28 that the one-time “Next Big Thing” would be returning to WWE. He duly did in the final segment of the show to the delight of a buoyant crowd, confronting John Cena and then putting him down with an F5. He has dominated since.
3. Stone Cold Steve Austin – 2000
Stone Cold had been storyline run down by a car at Survivor Series in a segment to write him off television, so he could undergo surgery on a serious neck injury sustained a few years prior.
Stone Cold helped The Rock win the WWE title
In his absence, The Rock had taken the mantle as the biggest star in the company. During a WWE title match at Backlash 2000, the Texas Rattlesnake returned after four months away, attacking both Triple H and Vince McMahon. The pop when the glass shattered was immense.
His actions helped The Rock, his long-time rival, win the championship. Austin would eventually return to the ring later in the year.
2. The Rock – 2011
From 2002, The Rock’s wrestling career winded down as he turned his attention towards Hollywood. There were a few appearances here and there but by 2011, The Rock had not been live on WWE television for seven long years.
The Rock returned after seven years away
On the February 14th, 2011 edition of Raw, the host for WrestleMania 27 was introduced. The lights went down until the entire arena was a sea of darkness. The iconic “If Ya Smell What The Rock is Cooking?” lyrics bellowed out cue pandemonium from the live audience.
The Rock’s return kickstarted an epic feud with John Cena which encompassed three consecutive WrestleManias.
1. Triple H - 2002
During a tag team match on the May 21st, 2001 episode of Raw, Triple H tore the left quadriceps muscle right off the bone. Despite this, he finished the match, even being put into the Walls of Jericho. It would be the last time he was seen on WWE television for eight months.
After weeks of hype videos, several featuring “Beautiful Day” by U2, the scene was set for a triumphant return of The Game, which eventually came on the January 7th, 2002 episode of Raw. The sound was utterly deafening from the moment his music hit.
Triple H made a huge return in January 2002
As he made his way to the ring and performed his iconic water spit routine, Jim Ross on commentary chimed in saying that it was “as loud as any sustained roar” he had ever heard in Madison Square Garden. A return fitting of the location.
The Game capped off possibly the greatest WWE return by announcing his entry into the Royal Rumble (which he went onto win) and dropping Kurt Angle with a pedigree.