5 huge WWE returns that were actually kept a secret

WWE, as fans are well aware at this point, is similar to a weekly soap opera with storylines that last for weeks, or sometimes months on end. These angles lead to matches on special shows on weekends, with the winner getting bragging rights or a title belt when all's said and done. There are several elements of WWE TV that make its shows intriguing, and a Superstar's return is one of them.

There are a few things that are always bound to garner a loud reaction from the live audience. A heel/babyface turn, a major victory at a big PPV, or a promo can all get a good reaction, and so does a well-executed return. In this slideshow, we will take a look at five WWE returns that the company managed to keep a secret, making these segments all the more memorable.

#5 Roman Reigns (SummerSlam 2020)

The Big Dog hadn't been seen on WWE TV ever since his feud with King Corbin had come to an end earlier this year. Roman Reigns was all set to take on WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg for the Universal title at WrestleMania 36, but he pulled out of the match at the last moment as a precautionary measure amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Reigns made his return at SummerSlam 2020 and destroyed The Fiend and Braun Strowman to end the show.

WWE did an incredible job of keeping the return a secret and reportedly went to great lengths to make sure that it would remain as such. The promotion didn't even let most of the Superstars know that Reigns was coming back. The only hint about the return that WWE threw fans' way was the tagline of SummerSlam 2020: "You'll Never See It Coming", and it didn't directly imply that Reigns was returning.

Reigns went on to win the Universal title from The Fiend and is the hottest act on WWE SmackDown at the moment.

#4 Shane McMahon (WWE RAW)

In late 2009, Shane McMahon resigned from WWE in order to pursue other passions. Several years passed by and fans had lost hope that they would ever get to see Shane on WWE TV ever again. On an episode of WWE RAW on the Road to WrestleMania 32, Shane McMahon made his surprise return to WWE and interrupted Stephanie and Vince McMahon to a loud chorus of cheers.

Vince McMahon later explained how WWE went to great lengths to keep Shane's return a secret. He was kept in a bus in the parking lot minutes before he was set to appear on RAW. None of the WWE Superstars knew about his return as well.

Shane was put in a Hell In A Cell match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32. Eventually, The Deadman defeated Shane McMahon and the latter went on to take an authoritative position on WWE TV. Shane remained a mainstay in WWE for around four years, before losing a Ladder match to Kevin Owens on WWE SmackDown and being forced to leave as per the stipulation.

He recently made his return to RAW and introduced a brand new concept, dubbed as RAW Underground.

#3 Edge (Royal Rumble 2020)

WWE Hall of Famer Edge announced his retirement following WrestleMania 27 in 2011. His injuries had gotten the better of him at that point and continuing a career in pro-wrestling would have possibly led to a disaster.

At the 2020 Royal Rumble PPV, Edge made his return to WWE as a participant in the annual free-for-all. The Rated-R Superstar had a strong showing in the match and was one of the final two competitors to get eliminated from the contest.

No one had imagined that Edge would ever be able to return as a performer, but the unthinkable somehow happened at the event. Edge later revealed how WWE kept his return a secret. He stated that the only people who knew about his return were The Revival, with whom he trained before his return, and his wife, Beth Phoenix.

Edge went on to kick off a feud with former teammate Randy Orton, leading to a Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania 36. Edge won the match, but went on to lose to Orton in "The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" at WWE Backlash.

#2 John Cena (Royal Rumble 2008)

In 2007, John Cena suffered a pectoral injury and was supposed to be out of action for six to 12 months. At the 2008 Royal Rumble PPV in Madison Square Garden, John Cena took the WWE Universe by storm when he entered in at #30. The arena erupted as fans couldn't believe that Cena had returned. Absolutely no one had imagined that Cena would be coming back so soon, and that made this return one of the greatest of all time.

Former WWE official Marty Elias had this to say about Cena's return:

I was one of only a handful of people who knew he was coming back and was going to win the Rumble. Cena was hidden all day and when it was time for him to enter, he was walked through the hallway covered so no one knew it was him!

Cena went on to eliminate Triple H to win the free-for-all, and punched his ticket to the main event of WrestleMania 24. At WrestleMania, Cena took on Randy Orton and Triple H in a Triple Threat match for the WWE title. The Viper came out victorious in the end and retained his WWE Championship in the process.

#1 The Rock (WWE RAW)

The Rock teamed up with Mick Foley in a losing effort against Evolution at WrestleMania 20 in 2004. Following the event, The Rock made a bunch of appearances for WWE on RAW before quietly leaving for Hollywood. The Great One didn't appear on WWE TV for the next seven years. This changed on an episode of RAW in early 2011, when The Rock came out and was revealed as the host of WrestleMania 27.

WWE kept the return a secret from almost everyone in the company. Even the senior management members were told that Bob Barker would be revealed as the host. The Rock was kept in a dressing room after he arrived and he remained there until it was time to go out in front of the fans.

The Rock went on to cost John Cena the WWE title at WrestleMania. The two icons collided in one of the biggest matches in WWE history at WrestleMania 28, with The Rock defeating Cena in the end. Cena would even the score a year later by defeating The Rock for the WWE title at WrestleMania 29.