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There is nothing more delightful for WWE fans than a dramatic, buzzing return. Even sitting miles away, those watching as fans can feel the excitement of a shocker. Of course, professional wrestling is scripted, but the surprises captivate audiences.
Brock Lesnar's shocking return on the night after WrestleMania 28 was memorable. As his theme song played, the crowd cheered and roared.
Similarly, Edge's grand homecoming in the 2020 Royal Rumble match shocked the commentators, fans, and wrestlers in the ring. Some fans were crying tears of joy as their hero entered the squared circle again.
Returns have become a defining feature of professional wrestling, and returning legends always produce the biggest surprises. With live crowds returning soon, will Vince McMahon bring back icons from the past?
In this slideshow, we'll take a glance at five WWE legends who should return to the ring.
Note: This list doesn't include legends like Brock Lesnar or John Cena, who are rumored to return. Part-timers like Goldberg and Shane McMahon have also been excluded.
#5 WWE Hall of Famers The Dudley Boyz
Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley need no introduction; The Dudley Boyz revolutionized tag team wrestling in ECW, WWE, and TNA. They have held the World Tag Team Championship eighteen times, making them the most decorated tandem in history.
After a long hiatus, the Dudley Boyz returned to WWE in August 2015. They battled fresher duos like The New Day, The Usos, and The Wyatt Family. The legendary tag team's contract expired a year later. After that, Bubba continued wrestling on the independent scene while D-Von became a producer backstage.
Although both wrestlers are past their prime, having the Dudley Boyz back for one final run is worthwhile. After all, it has been a while since the WWE Universe has seen them nail the Dudley Death Drop.
Their return would open up a host of opportunities. The Street Profits, Alpha Academy, RK-Bro, The Usos, The New Day, and the Mysterios would prove solid opponents for the legendary tag team.
Except for The Usos and The New Day, WWE hasn't created many successful tag teams. If a duo like the Viking Raiders could score a victory over the Dudley Boyz, it would put the younger tandem on the map.
#4 WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix
Before the WWE Women's Revolution, Beth Phoenix was one of the most prominent female stars of the Divas Era. Phoenix is a former Divas Champion and three-time Women's Champion. The Glamazon was renowned for her incredible strength and aggression.
Unfortunately, The Glamazon left the company during her prime in late 2012 to start a family. However, she later revealed that she was frustrated over women's standing in the company. Phoenix returned to WWE in 2018 as a part-time color commentator while also making a few sporadic appearances.
Now that women have taken up a more prominent position on WWE programming, it is the right time for Phoenix to make a triumphant, full-time return. The Glamazon is just forty years old and is in excellent ring shape.
Fans got a glimpse of her during her surprise Royal Rumble appearances in 2018 and 2020, where she clearly showed that she hadn't lost a step.
While women have become a huge deal now, the female division lacks depth. WWE released a handful of women this year while its biggest star, Becky Lynch, is on hiatus. A savvy veteran like Beth Phoenix would undoubtedly add depth to a thin division.
Her return would give rise to several intriguing scenarios. The Glamazon could fight up-starts like Rhea Ripley, Shayna Bazler and Bianca Belair. Her run-ins enthralled fans with Nia Jax and Charlotte Flair, so the WWE Universe would enjoy a one-on-one match between Phoenix and either woman.
Let's not rule out a potential on-screen alliance with her husband, Edge. While she could just become a manager, the couple could form a mixed tag team.
#3 WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam is widely regarded as one of the best high-flyers of his generation. As one of the most "extreme" wrestlers of all time, RVD took hardcore wrestling to another level during his time with ECW.
The Hall of Famer has enjoyed considerable success in WWE, ECW, and TNA. "The One of a Kind" Superstar wrestled his last match on IMPACT Wrestling in September 2020 before his contract with the company expired. Consequently, Van Dam isn't associated with any promotion at the moment.
The former WWE Champion suggested that he would like to return to Vince McMahon's promotion on a lighter schedule and a higher salary. However, he didn't seem very keen on returning but didn't close the door on a potential return either.
RVD had two successive runs with WWE in 2013-14. During this time, he put over younger talent like Seth Rollins, Cesaro, and Alberto Del Rio. Vince McMahon needs to create new stars, and Van Dam is the perfect stepping stone.
Ricochet, Cedric Alexander, Dominik Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, and Mustafa Ali possess amazing athleticism. While all of them have different wrestling styles, their high-risk style reminds fans of the six-time Intercontinental Champion.
Given that RVD put so much younger talent over in his previous run, he could do the same for the stars mentioned above. Several injuries have taken a toll on his body, but one last run with WWE would be memorable.
#2 WWE Hall of Famer Booker T
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T started his own podcast, The Hall of Fame, with Brad Gilmore. It's nice to see the six-time world champion still engaged in professional wrestling, but an in-ring return to the global franchise would be much better.
In late 2020, Booker T posted a picture of himself in tremendous wrestling shape. When asked about a potential in-ring return, he uttered the typical response of "never say never." In hindsight, these might just be rumors, but coming out of retirement isn't something unprecedented in today's age.
Shawn Michaels came out of retirement for one night in November 2018, while Edge accomplished the unthinkable with his miraculous return in January 2020.
Booker T is one of the most underrated and overlooked stars of all time. The non-wrestling role that he adopted upon his return in 2011 was a waste of his talent.
As he showed in his program with Cody Rhodes, he hadn't lost a step in the ring. Like a true sportsman, he gladly put over the younger Rhodes brother. His wrestling career ended anti-climactically as he never received a proper retirement match.
Now that he has gotten back in ring shape, he should have his much-deserved farewell match. He may be past his prime, but he still manages to pull off the awe-inspiring Spinarooni. It doesn't have to be a technical classic, but Booker T has rarely disappointed fans in the ring.
Someone like Seth Rollins and AJ Styles would serve as solid opponents. They would bring the best out of the legend, and either man would receive a massive boost from defeating the Hall of Famer.
#1 WWE Superstar The Rock
The genesis of Hollywood megastar The Rock occurred in WWE. But before his career in the film industry took off, the People's Champion laid the SmackDown on Superstars every night.
The Rock has a very tight schedule due to his commitments as an actor. As a result, his interactions with the WWE Universe have been limited to one-off appearances, but it is impossible to rule out a full-fledged return.
Luckily, there are indications and plans for The Rock to return to WWE for a colossal match with Roman Reigns at next year's WrestleMania. Additionally, some reports indicate that Vince McMahon wants him back for this year's Survivor Series.
While it's conjecture, for now, fans can't help but get excited about The Rock's potential return. The Tribal Chief has been on a tear, and he continues to grow more potent with each passing day. One can't help but notice that Reigns is being groomed for a match with his cousin.
Moreover, Roman Reigns has given The Rock a reason to return. Reigns claims to be the "Head of the Table." However, the Great One, a member of his family, is yet to acknowledge him. With the brutal, brash attitude the Tribal Chief has taken, it makes sense for an older family member to knock some reason into him.
Reigns is already a massive star, but facing and defeating The Rock would launch him into the stratosphere of WWE.
