5 best WWE Royal Rumble returns of the century

The 30-person Royal Rumble match is one of WWE's most riveting creations, having earned a special place in fans' hearts. A significant reason for Rumble's success is the element of surprise built into the match.

Every 90 seconds, a new superstar enters the squared circle. This person can be a returning WWE legend, an active member of the main roster, or an NXT upstart. While the promotion often announces most participants in advance, a few slots are always left open for the so-called "surprise" entrants.

Surprise entrants include superstars returning from injury (or retirement), an icon from the past making a one-off appearance, an NXT performer, or a debutant. However, since each Rumble has a handful of such competitors, this list is restricted to the first two categories.

Hence, AJ Styles' earth-shaking WWE debut in the 2016 Men's Royal Rumble match will not be included. None of the surprise NXT entrants will be taken into account either.

As this list is far from exhaustive, there are a few honorable mentions to note:

• Christian returns from retirement in the 2021 Men's Royal Rumble match.
• Rob Van Dam makes a one-off appearance in the 2009 Royal Rumble match
• Edge returns from a career-threatening injury to win the 2010 Royal Rumble match

Disclaimer: This list represents the author's views and doesn't necessarily reflect those of Sportskeeda.

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#5 WWE Hall of Famer Booker T returns during the 2011 Royal Rumble match

The 2011 Royal Rumble match was notable for several reasons: an unexpected winner, an odd final two competitors, and 40 competitors. While it received a mixed response, the bout saw the return of Booker T after a four-year hiatus.

He entered the fray as the 21st entrant to the applause of the live crowd and the shock of CM Punk. The commentators, especially Matt Striker, did a fantastic job selling the amazing surprise as they screamed with joy.

The WWE Hall of Famer went toe-to-toe with the New Nexus that had decimated the entire roster earlier. While he could not score any eliminations, he did execute some of his best moves, the Book-end and Scissors kick, and treated the crowd to a long-awaited Spinarooni.

#4 Rey Mysterio shocks the WWE Universe and enters

the 2018 Men's Royal Rumble match

In January 2018, WWE hosted the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble match at the titular event. While most of the hype revolved around this historic occasion, Rey Mysterio surprised the world with his unannounced return during the Men's Rumble match.

This was the Master of the 619's first appearance in the company since April 2014. Mysterio entered the ring as the 27th entrant and lasted nearly ten minutes. The former world champion had an impressive showing as he eliminated Adam Cole and made it to the final five before being eliminated by Finn Balor.

The Wells Fargo Center was buzzing the entire time Mysterio was in the ring. The 2006 Royal Rumble winner later made a full-time return to the company in October 2018, making this surprise appearance a one-off. He also appeared at the Greatest Royal Rumble in April 2018.

The return was vital as it raised the Ultimate Underdog's popularity and led to a full-time return later in the year.

#3 Chris Jericho returns to WWE in the 2013 Royal Rumble match

The 2013 WWE Royal Rumble match had the most unimaginable opening. Dolph Ziggler came in as the first entrant, exuding confidence. However, his arrogance quickly dwindled when the pyrotechnics went off, and Y2J's iconic "Break the Walls Down" theme song reverberated through the sold-out arena.

Chris Jericho received a thunderous ovation from the live crowd as he stepped into the ring for the first time in five months. His contract had been terminated in August 2012 after losing a crucial match-up to Ziggler. This was done to write him off the television to tour with Fozzy. Hence, renewing this rivalry to start the Rumble match was a wise decision.

The six-time world champion put on an impressive showing in the Rumble match as he took on the "Iron Man" role. Given that he was one of the most experienced performers, he directed traffic throughout the match. He lasted nearly fifty minutes before the Show-Off eliminated him to end his dreams of main-eventing WrestleMania once again.

Y2J worked as a full-time performer throughout the summer. While he did enjoy more success during this run, the WWE Universe still relishes his incredible return.

#2 John Cena sends the shockwaves through the WWE Universe in the 2008 Royal Rumble match

While he may be the most polarizing WWE Superstar of all time, John Cena is no less than a super-human. The most persuasive proof of that lies in his breath-taking, spine-rattling return in the 2008 Royal Rumble match.

The Face That Runs the Place suffered a legitimate torn pectoral muscle in the late falls of 2007. Doctors predicted that Cena would be out of action for six to twelve months, but the 16-time world champion pulled off a speedy recovery within four months.

While his detractors were present in the arena, the pop he received upon entering the door was implausible. Every fan inside Madison Square Garden was on his feet, and the competitors inside the ring were taken aback by Cena's unexpected return. As the commentators remarked, Triple H's expressions told the entire story.

Cena became the second competitor to win the Rumble match from the coveted number 30 spot. He scored four eliminations and last eliminated Triple H to book his ticket to WrestleMania 24.

Unfortunately, Cena couldn't win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, but his miraculous Rumble return lives on in memory.

#1 WWE Hall of Famer Edge makes his in-ring return in the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble match

While WWE may not always hit the jackpot with the Royal Rumble, Vince McMahon and his team didn't disappoint their devoted fan base in 2020.

The 2020 Men's Royal Rumble match was a story of three tales. The first comprised Brock Lesnar's ruthless domination over thirteen competitors. The second saw the meticulous Drew McIntyre finally realize his dream. The third one revolved around Edge's unbelievable return from retirement.

The threat of permanent paralysis forced the Rated-R Superstar into retirement in April 2011 during the prime of his career. Many WWE fans thought they had seen the last of Edge in a wrestling ring, but the Hall of Famer defied all the odds.

If the return wasn't shocking enough, the 46-years-old got himself into the best physical shape of his life. Edge entered at number 21 and went to war with the best in the business.

The 11-time world champion had a scintillating face-off with AJ Styles, re-united with Randy Orton to form a brief alliance, and made it to the final three. He eliminated Styles, Orton, and Luke Gallows during his 23-minute stay.

The Rated-R Superstar won the Royal Rumble again the following year, but nothing could match the excitement when he returned for the 2020 Rumble match.