There's an old saying that says "absence makes the heart grow fonder." Well, that quote applies to professional wrestling as well.
Since the beginning of what we know now as modern pro wrestling, there has been many times when a wrestler has had to step away from the business for a period of time.
Sometimes it's due to an unfortunate injury, sometimes they might be getting released and other times, things are simply not working out for them and they need to take things back to the drawing board for a possible repackaging of their gimmick.
Regardless of the reasoning behind a temporary absence, more often than not, change is a necessary part of the business. Sometimes change is not only necessary but it is, in fact, what’s best for business.
Today, we take a look at five WWE superstars who came back to find themselves adored and love more than ever before. These are 5 superstars who returned to more popularity than they had when they left.
#5 SETH ROLLINS
This is an interesting pick right here. Seth Rollins appeared to be on top of the world. He was the WWE Champion and the top man on the main roster. However, if you recall, Rollins was not a very popular superstar, despite being the champ.
I believe the problem may have been due to the way WWE creative booked him to be a somewhat weak champion. Even for a heel, he rarely defended the title. He would show up, play the role for the Authority and disappear back to catering, go take nude selfies, make a crossfit appointment or whatever else uninteresting Vince and crew could think of.
Seth's injury came at a terrible time. Just as WWE was about to make a final turn into New Eras-ville, down he goes with a major injury. Rollins could've and would've definitely been THE guy heading into greener pastures, regardless of the fact that his popularity was dwindling to minimal levels.
After an intensive recovery regimen, rumors were running rampant and the time had finally come. At the 2016 Extreme Rules pay-per-view, it was showtime.
Roman Reigns and AJ Styles capped off Extreme Rules, in the main event. After Reigns successfully defended his title, Rollins popped up out of nowhere and plants Roman with a mean Pedigree, then stands over his lifeless body, with the WWE Championship in hand, declaring that the Architect was indeed back with a return to his throne in mind.
Seth returned to a very welcoming fan base, eager for change. They were ready to see someone, anyone, other than Roman at the top.
#4 HULK HOGAN
Some may and others may not agree with this selection. However, it is critically important to consider the era in which this particular return took place. AWA officials never truly got Hogan off the ground, so to speak.
Despite knowing Hogan possessed the skills and undoubtedly the look to be a game changer, they were unable to put the proper pieces, in the proper places.
One of the other reasons some were hesitant about making a strong play for Hulk, was because of Rocky III. Hogan had landed the role of "Thunderlips" in the film, but people within the wrestling industry weren't too thrilled with the idea of having Hollywood that closely associated with professional wrestling.
The ironic issue with all of this was that wrestling fans were head over heels in love with Hogan and the Rocky role made his popularity even greater.
In 1983, Vince was making big moves in the business. He had just recently purchased the company outright from his father and was in search of someone, not just anyone, but someone special to carry the WWF into an era of changes and greatness.
Needless to say, Hulk Hogan was that chance that Vince was looking for.
Hogan would make his WWF return and immediately, the plan was to put the belt on Hogan and push him to the moon. Sheik had offers from AWA to shoot on Hogan and bring the belt to Minnesota. Just think of what would've happened, had that really went down that way.
But, Sheik took one for the team and changed absolutely everything. Hogan won the big green title, Hulkamania was officially on its way and the entire landscape of wrestling would change...forever.
#3 JOHN CENA
John Cena is a creative anomaly. Since he stepped foot into a WWE ring, he's had to constantly prove someone wrong. Some say he can't wrestle, some say he can’t sell, some say he's not this or he's not that, so forth and so on.
But at the end of the day, you can say what you wish about him, it doesn't matter, because the man is pure money. No matter how bad you supposedly hate Cena, he continues to be a star attraction on every show he's a part of. Simply put- if Cena is on the card, there's a bottom in every seat.
Cena went down with an injury while wrestling against Mr. Kennedy in October of 2007. He had torn his pectoral muscle during a hip-toss. Due to Cena being a genetic freak (Sorry, Scott Steiner, that title belongs to Cena), Cena made a full recovery in record time.
It was a magical night at the Madison Square Garden for the 2008 Royal Rumble. As the match entered its final moments, there was one pick remaining, number 30. As the clock made its final ticks, the crowd eagerly awaited to hear the music for the final participant.
As we all now know, that final pick was John Cena. Cena emerged to a thunderous ovation and went on to win Rumble match. This would be a fantastic return for Cena, whom has had a phenomenal run ever since, accumulating 15 WWE Championship reigns.
#2 THE UNDERTAKER
Allow me to first make something clear, The Undertaker has NEVER had a problem with "being popular." However, in this column, we are looking at instances in which a superstar made a return to an even higher level of popularity.
Armed with a new look and a new attitude, Taker came back from an injury to a response only an icon could pull off.
At the 1999 SummerSlam pay-per-view, Taker suffered a groin injury, which he hid fairly well at first. He would actually continue working, but eventually, the injury began to appear more and more obvious until the company eventually placed Taker in an angle where he would slowly be written off TV.
As we would come to find out, the injury was much more serious than The Deadman initially thought, resulting in him coming off the road to treat his wounds and recover.
At the 2000 Judgment Day event, The Undertaker would come back in unexpected fashion. Taker came back for the McMahon-Helmsley faction, but this wasn't some ordinary return. There was no tolling of a loud church bell, there was no dark cloud of smoke and there was no long, dark funeral home ring gear.
Instead, Kid Rock's hit song "American Badass" began to play and the roar of a Harley Davidson was heard over the crowd at Louisville's Freedom Hall. At last, The Undertaker was back and every red-blooded American was immediately a fan.
This was the start of The American Badass era for Taker, which was surely one of the most popular times of his storied career.
#1 JERRY "THE KING" LAWLER
The King has had his fair share of critics throughout his career. Dating back to his infamous Memphis wrestling days, up through his legendary AWA run and beyond, Jerry Lawler has had more than a handful of naysayers.
When Lawler became a broadcaster, the shade just worsened. Jerry was always the heel announcer, but no matter what he did, there was always that selection of fans who don't think he's worthy of being behind the commentary table.
Once The King started teaming with Good Ole JR, something happened and it was certainly in his favor. Suddenly, Lawler became a much more respected broadcaster and a major reason why, was due to the man who sat next to him, wearing the cowboy hat, speaking in a deep southern twang.
It was Jim Ross.
Ross was capable of making anyone look and sound better. Not only could he sell the hell out of the most boring of matches, but he was able to make Jerry Lawler sound like the King of the announcers.
In September of 2012 during Monday Night Raw, Lawler and his broadcast partner, Michael Cole, were calling the show, just as they normally would, when suddenly, Lawler collapsed. This would happen during the match between Team Hell No and The Prime Time Players.
As the medics and ringside doctors worked frantically to revive Jerry, it became increasingly obvious that something was terribly wrong. Lawler had actually suffered a heart attack.
Following that match, Lawler had been taken to a Montreal area hospital and Cole, visibly shaken, announced to the viewing audience that Lawler had been taken in an ambulance and that he would keep us updated. For the remainder of the night, Cole struggled to maintain composure long enough to finish the show.
Thankfully, the doctors and medical staff were able to revive The King and eventually, he would return to his hometown of Memphis to recover. After taking some down time to recover and get some well-deserved rest, The King would return to claim his ringside throne on November 12, 2012.
In the ring, Jim Ross and Michael Cole welcomed Lawler back, in front of a sold-out Columbus crowd. Fans had a renewed sense of respect and adoration for Lawler. After suffering a near-death incident on live television, Jerry Lawler was back and the WWE Universe was grateful.
Despite CM Punk crashing his welcoming back celebration, The King was indeed back and more popular than ever.
