'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Royal Rumble season is looming large as the 2021 edition of the fan-favorite PPV is barely three weeks away from now. Though there will be no fans present this time around, the Superstars will try to leave no stone unturned to have a memorable outing, irrespective of the circumstances.
Until now, a few Superstars like AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, Charlotte Flair, and Bayley have already announced their official entry into the Rumble matches. Come 31st January, the excitement will be through the roof as the road to WrestleMania begins.
Over the years, Royal Rumble matches have seen several Superstars making surprise returns. Either they didn't allow their entrance, or they returned from an injury that had kept them out of action for a long time. Such returns never fail to elicit a reaction from the fans. No matter if the crowd boos or cheers a returnee, it always gets people talking.
Similarly, there have been a few returns where the Superstars went on to win the match even though they never officially announced their entry. In this list, we will look at four such instances where Superstars came out on top without revealing their appearances during the build-up.
#4 Edge (WWE Royal Rumble 2010)
While his triumphant return to in-ring action after 9-years at Royal Rumble 2020 is still widely-discussed, Edge's return a decade earlier at Royal Rumble 2010 was equally memorable. Having been out of action since injuring his back in July 2009, he made a stunning comeback at the Rumble, which was six-months before his predicted recovery time.
His return at number 29 drew a thunderous response from the crowd, while his foe Chris Jericho stood stunned in the ring. He eliminated Jericho, and went on to win the match by eventually eliminating John Cena. Winning the Royal Rumble bout also marked the Rated-R Superstar's first face turn since 2004.
Edge would lay down the challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship which Jericho won at the next PPV, Elimination Chamber. At WrestleMania 26, Edge would end up losing to the current AEW star. However, the feud eventually culminated with Edge defeating Y2J in a steel cage match at Extreme Rules 2010.
#3 Becky Lynch (WWE Royal Rumble 2018)
The reason why Becky Lynch wasn't an official participant until the time of her entrance in the Women's Royal Rumble match in 2018 was that she wrestled a terrific match for the SmackDown Women's Championship against the champion Asuka.
However, Asuka came out on top in that match, and Becky was left with no way to challenge Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 35. The circumstances heading into the Rumble match were speculative, and people were waiting to see how Lynch would be able to find her way into it.
As it turned out, Lana, who was supposed to enter the Royal Rumble match at number 28, found herself injured and unable to compete. Lynch came out to a massive pop and demanded to be allowed into the bout as a replacement. And as we say, the rest is history. The Man would win the match and end up facing Charlotte Flair and Rousey for both the Women's titles at WrestleMania 35, emerging victorious.
Currently on a hiatus due to the birth of her child, her return is being highly-anticipated by fans, with many hoping she will be showing up at Royal Rumble 2021, however unlikely this may be.
#2 Triple H (WWE Royal Rumble 2016)
While many proclaim this to be WWE's desperate attempt to get Roman Reigns cheered, Triple H's appearance at Royal Rumble 2016 was nonetheless quite shocking and received warmly by the fans.
Forced to defend his WWE Championship in the Royal Rumble match, Reigns was the first entry and lasted for nearly an hour, before being eliminated by Triple H.
The Game would win after spending just 9 minutes in the match, last eliminating Dean Ambrose. The main reason why HHH was so wildly cheered was that the fans didn't want the current WWE Champion to succeed. In total, Triple H accumulated four eliminations in the match.
Becoming the WWE Champion for the 14th time in his career, Triple H would go on to face Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 32. The match was negatively received by fans and critics alike, as it was apparent the whole rivalry was a way to get Reigns over as a fighting, babyface champion.
#1 John Cena (WWE Royal Rumble 2008)
2-time Royal Rumble winner John Cena has been quite a divisive character in WWE. While many claim he's responsible for the dawning of the PG era in the company, others say his drawing capacity is completely unmatched. However, the one night where Cena was cheered across the diverse wrestling fan base was during his surprise return at Royal Rumble 2008.
Cena, who had been out of action since October 2007, was scheduled to make his return sometime later in the year. So, his return turned out to be quite a swerve that pleased the viewers. Lasting for around 8 minutes in the match, the 16-time WWE Champion eliminated four participants, with Triple H being his final victim.
His journey to WrestleMania 24, however, turned out to be quite convoluted. Choosing to face the then champion, Randy Orton at No Way Out 2004, instead of waiting until the Mania, Cena won the match by disqualification, with The Viper retaining his title.
Cena earned another opportunity for the title at WrestleMania 24, in a three-way against Orton and HHH. However, he came up short, with Orton retaining his title yet again.
Do you love to play crosswords, Wordle or other exciting games? We'd like to connect with you. Fill the form here!
