No matter how many times us fans around the world disagree on certain topics, there’s one thing that we can all pretty much universally say is true – pro wrestling is weird. There’s no getting away from it, and at this stage in the lineage of our great sport, it’s better for us all just to accept it. Why? Because the bizarre nature of this industry is always lurking around the corner, and you all know that’s a fact.
Take death in the business for example. Now as we all know, wrestlers tend to die young more often than not, and it’s a great tragedy when they do. However, we’ve also seen our fair share of storyline deaths with superstars of all ages are written off television as if it was some kind of soap opera. Sometimes it makes sense, and sometimes it doesn’t, but more often than not it falls into the latter category.
All five of the names that feature on this list are pretty recognisable, which makes the decision to kill them off all the more baffling. Sure it can add a certain suspense to a rivalry, but from a selfish standpoint, it makes trying to explain wrestling to all of your friends that much harder. Trust us on that last one because we’ve tried it ourselves.
So with that being said, here are five times wrestlers came back from the grave.
#1 Big Show
The Big Show may well be the largest athlete in sports entertainment, but that doesn’t mean he’s invincible. In fact, killing him off was a relatively easy task at the time – and if you don’t believe us, just ask Hulk Hogan. You see, WCW thought it would be a good idea to pit Show against Hogan in a Monster Truck match which would take place on top of the arena.
As such the risk factor was at an all-time high, and things took a turn for the worst when Hogan knocked Show off the top of the building and seemingly to his demise. Of course, the big man somehow survived this obvious fall to his death and returned later in the night to defeat Hogan and claim the WCW Heavyweight Championship. Well, sort of.
Fire, brimstone, all that good stuff.
#2 Kane
The Big Red Machine Kane has been involved in a number of ridiculous storylines over the years, but funnily enough, only half of the instances that we’re going to name were considered to be idiotic. First of all, Kane came back from the dead to confront big brother Taker who, as we’d been told, had supposedly burned Kane alive in a fire that also killed their parents.
Then, many years later, Shane McMahon kicked Kane into a burning pit with the Devil’s Favourite Demon seemingly falling to his demise. Of course, Kane once again returned from the dead as if nothing had happened a week later, which didn’t really help the credibility of a storyline that had already been called the Worst of the Year by many wrestling outlets.
Speaking of The Deadman...
#3 The Undertaker
You all knew that The Undertaker was going to appear on this list, and in all honesty we’ve actually lost count of how many times this guy has risen from the beyond. After all, it is his gimmick, and the Phenom seems to thrive on being Buried Alive or set on fire. Everyone has their hobbies.
Many people have tried to rid the WWE of Taker over the years, with the most famous instance probably being when Kane buried his older brother alive – putting the biker gimmick to rest once and for all. Unfortunately for Mr Jacobs, the Deadman would once again return in his original persona to defeat his long-time rival at WrestleMania 20.
This next entry is just a bit sad.
Also read: 5 Thoughts that went through the mind during the House of Horrors match
#4 Big Boss Man
Big Boss Man was always an extremely capable performer both in and out of the squared circle, with many people believing that he deserved more during his tenures in the WWE. Unfortunately, the pinnacle of his time with the company included one of the most uncomfortable moments in the history of WrestleMania: seeing a man being hanged.
Following a lacklustre Hell in a Cell bout against The Undertaker, in which he lost, Big Boss Man was hung from the structure for all to see. The fans in attendance were shocked, the fans watching at home were shocked, and nobody really knew what to make of the whole thing. Thankfully BBM returned not long after at which point the whole incident was swept under the rug completely.
Speaking of whom...
#5 Vince McMahon
Yup, because the boss really is that mad. In 2007 Vinnie Mac decided to try and up the ratings by pulling a stunt that a lot of people believe he’d always wanted to try: killing his character off of television. The storyline unfolded when Vince entered his limo backstage, at which point the vehicle exploded in an apparent attempt to kill the Chairman of the board.
Unfortunately, due to the real-life death of Chris Benoit, the angle had to be scrapped, at which point Vince re-emerged on WWE television just seven days later to reveal that he had in fact survived.
So yeah, wrestling is weird. Who knew?
Send us news tips at [email protected]
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
