The 5 greatest pro wrestling returns of all time

#2 Edge returns to WWE (WWE Royal Rumble 2020)

@EdgeRatedR's status in 2011: "You can never wrestle again". Nine years later... "You are cleared". Edge's 2020 Royal Rumble return will always be in its own league. Christmas came nearly a year early this year. Rewatched Edge's 2012 documentary today. Cool to look back pic.twitter.com/SzqNwbtmbH

— Keegan Dimitrijevic 🇨🇦 (@KeeganRW) December 24, 2020

With all the fondly remembered returns in WWE, it is crazy to think that the greatest might have just happened over a year ago. Edge is one of the most decorated superstars in WWE history and was a mainstay for the company dating back to the Attitude Era. Generations of fans have seen Edge in one iteration of his character or another.

In 2011, Edge was forced to retire from in-ring competition due to years of damage to his surgically repaired neck. Over the course of the next nine years, Edge would make recurring appearances, but it looked more and more like his in-ring career was in the rearview mirror.

"That may go down, for me personally, as my favorite moment of my career." - @EdgeRatedR to @ryansatin on his shocking return at the 2020 Royal Rumble 🎙️🎧Subscribe to 'Out of Character w/ @ryansatin: https://t.co/IAHY94UQzD pic.twitter.com/jNBL15lnV5

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 2, 2021

In the months leading up to Royal Rumble 2020, Edge discovered that his neck was stronger than in the years past. He also speared Elias at Summerslam 2019, his first physical action in a WWE ring since retirement. Things were falling in place for one of the biggest comebacks any fan had witnessed.

Edge made his triumphant return as the #21 entrant in the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble Match. The Houston crowd was molten hot for his comeback and showered him with love. This was a man with deep love and passion for the business, who could finally step back in the ring where he belonged. It was a glorious moment in every way possible.

Emotions were written all over Edge's face. The Rated R Superstar was choking up as soon as he made his entrance. He added to an already tremendous Royal Rumble Match and gave the fans a memory that would last forever. This will truly go down as one of the greatest Royal Rumble returns ever.