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Many professional wrestlers have stepped away from wrestling inside the squared circle following highly successful tenures. Some hiatuses last only a short period, but for some, it can be years. The reasons could be down to several factors. Whether because of injury or strained relations with promotions or people within the industry.
What we always find is that professional wrestlers always make a return in some capacity. This, of course, is usually to the delight of wrestling fans wanting to see their heroes perform again.
That being said, let's take a look at five wrestlers that returned to wrestling after a long hiatus.
#5 Bret Hart made a return to wrestling after nine years
Bret Hart left WWE in 1997 following the Survivor Series pay-per-view. Joining World Championship Wrestling, he jumped ship amid the Monday Night Wars. At the time, 'The Hitman' was the reigning WWE Champion walking into Survivor Series, and he wasn't willing to drop the championship to arch-nemesis Shawn Michaels.
On the night, the famous 'Montreal Screwjob' took place, where WWE Chairman Vince McMahon called for the bell to be rung early. Ultimately, it was an unscripted moment to make sure they got the WWE Championship off Bret Hart. As you can imagine, Hart was seething and left with a strained relationship with WWE.
Bret's tenure with WCW lasted until 2000 when he retired from professional wrestling due to an injury caused by Bill Goldberg. He appeared at several conventions post-2000 but didn't make many appearances in the ring.
He eventually patched things up with WWE in 2005 and agreed to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. However, he did not appear the following night at WrestleMania to greet the crowd, a tradition for inductees. Then, nine years after retiring, Bret made an emotional return on the Monday Night RAW's January 4th, 2010 episode. He buried the hatchet with Shawn Michaels in the ring, but Vince McMahon kicked Hart in the groin to set up a WrestleMania storyline between the two.
It led to a Bret Hart vs. Mr. McMahon No Holds Barred match at WrestleMania 26 in Phoenix, Arizona. 'The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be' picked up the win making Mr. McMahon tap out. A truly fitting ending.
#4 Shawn Michaels returned to wrestling after an 8 year hiatus
Shawn Michaels brought the curtain down on his pro-wrestling career in 2010. He competed in a 'Streak vs. Career' match at WrestleMania, where if he lost, he would be forced to retire from the ring. The Undertaker defeated him on the night, thus bringing an end to the illustrious career of the 'Heartbreak Kid.'
Eight years on from his retirement, Shawn Michaels decided to lace up his wrestling boots once again. He teamed up with D-Generation X tag team partner Triple H against The Undertaker and Kane. The match took place in Saudi Arabia, where it was likely HBK would have received a decent payday. Sadly, the match didn't live up to the hype, and Michaels returned to retirement.
#3 Brock Lesnar returned to wrestling after an 8 year hiatus
Brock Lesnar departed WWE and effectively retired from wrestling in 2004 unceremoniously, citing he was burnt out and wanted to try his hand at the NFL. It was a shock to many in the WWE Universe at the time, as Brock had been on an incredible rise since his debut just a couple of years prior.
During his absence, Lesnar also fought inside the Octagon for UFC before finally meeting with WWE, agreeing to a return to wrestling. He officially made his return to the WWE the night after WrestleMania in 2012. He immediately confronted John Cena following his defeat to The Rock the night before. Lesnar delivered an F5 to signify his intentions and the start of his feud.
Brock recently returned after a year-and-a-half long absence from the squared circle.
#2 Edge returns to wrestling after a nine year absence due to injury
In his long and storied wrestling career, Edge has had major injuries and surgeries. He was diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis and it was revealed that Edge could face paralysis or even death if he took one wrong move. The night after WrestleMania 27, Edge officially announced his retirement.
In 2020, Edge defied the odds and made a return to WWE in the Royal Rumble match. The 'Rated R Superstar' had gotten physical a few months prior, spearing Dolph Ziggler at the SummerSlam pay-per-view. It sparked a whole host of rumors that Edge was cleared, and he indeed was. He would eventually make his return to the main event of WrestleMania in 2021, facing Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan ten years to the day of his retirement speech.
#1 CM Punk returns to wrestling after a seven year hiatus
The Second City Saint made his triumphant return to pro-wrestling with All Elite Wrestling in August 2021. CM Punk left the wrestling world in 2014, following a bitter fallout with his former employers at WWE. Punk walked out following the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in 2014 and didn't return.
For years, fans speculated if and when CM Punk would make a return, but the former WWE champion persistently insisted he was done. Then, in August 2021, reports circulated that he was ready to return with AEW his likely destination. No one was going to believe it until it happened. At AEW Rampage: The First Dance in Chicago, it happened. 'Cult of Personality' hit and the fans in attendance went ballistic. He is really back and the return will be regarded as one of the greatest returns in professional wrestling history.
Bayley gives us a HUGE update on a top Superstar's upcoming return RIGHT HERE.
