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Top 5 WWE Superstars whose second stint was better than their first

By Sid Pullar III (SP3)
Modified Aug 09, 2021 05:24 IST
WWE has had several superstars who have left to come back and have even more successful second runs.
WWE has had several superstars who have left to come back and have even more successful second runs.

WWE has had over 43 superstars released since April 2021 alone. For many of these men and women, they have a world of opportunities outside of the biggest promotion in the business. With AEW, IMPACT Wrestling, NJPW, MLW, NWA and the independent scene, there has never been a bigger time to have the freedom to work elsewhere after a WWE release.

However, there is a very big chance that some of these superstars may make a return to WWE in the future. Throughout the company's history, a release or hiatus from Vince McMahon's promotion has given individuals new leases on life. When they return to the company, they are even better than they were during their first stint.

There have been numerous superstars who have been released, moved onto another promotion or just chosen to leave WWE who have come back for new heights of their career. In this article, let's take a look at the top five WWE superstars whose second stint was even better than their first.

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#5 Jeff Hardy - WWE

Jeff Hardy is on his third stint with WWE after leaving in 2009 and spending time in IMPACT Wrestling. He started his career in the company officially back in 1998 after spending a few years as an enhancement talent. Along with his brother Matt, The Hardy Boyz became one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history thanks in large part to their spectacular ladder match exploits.

After the brand split broke up the team, Jeff Hardy went on a nice run as a singles star on the Raw brand before his personal issues led to him leaving WWE. Following three years on the independent scene and TNA, Hardy returned to the promotion and was given a good push. He won the Intercontinental Championship on three occasions and even won another reign with Matt with the Tag Team Titles.

Eventually, Jeff Hardy's popularity hit an all-time high, with the company viewing him as one of their top babyfaces in 2008. After chasing the WWE Championship the entire year, Jeff defeated Edge and Triple H at Armaggeddon 2008 to win the WWE Championship. His first reign was cut short a month later when he was betrayed by his brother Matt at the Royal Rumble 2009.

This proved to be just the start for Jeff Hardy on top though. Hardy defeated Edge in a ladder match at Extreme Rules 2009 to win the World Heavyweight Championship. CM Punk cashed in his Money In The Bank contract to cut this reign short, kickstarting the Feud of the Year with Hardy. Jeff would win the title one more time before losing to CM Punk at Summerslam and leaving WWE again.

#4 Daniel Bryan - WWE

Daniel Bryan signed with WWE in 2000 to a developmental contract. Despite being close to a call-up, he never made it to the main roster. He would resign with the company and spend a few months in their developmental system before the introduction of WWE NXT. After the first season of the original NXT, Bryan was a part of the Nexus debut in their assault on John Cena, CM Punk and others.

Daniel Bryan was caught up in the moment during their attack and choked ring announcer Justin Roberts with his tie. Due to this action, Bryan was fired from WWE. After a short run on the independent scene, he returned to the promotion after just two months at Summerslam 2010 to face his fellow Nexus members.

Daniel Bryan made the most of this opportunity when he won the WWE United States Championship the following month over his NXT "mentor" The Miz. After losing the title and heading over to the SmackDown brand in 2011, Bryan won the Money In The Bank contract and went on to cash it in on the Big Show at TLC 2011 to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

This led to a heel turn and the creation of the Yes Movement as Bryan celebrated victories with his signature taunts and catchphrases. Following his loss to the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 28, Bryan formed Team Hell No with Kane and won WWE Tag Team gold. This only elevated the complete package that Daniel Bryan would transform into.

After a lengthy battle against The Authority, Daniel Bryan would achieve his biggest prize to date, winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after beating Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista in one night at WrestleMania XXX. Despite a false start and a short first official stint, Bryan made the most of his second stint with WWE.

#3 Eddie Guerrero - WWE

Eddie Guerrero came into WWE alongside Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn from WCW. The group became known as The Radicalz and caused a seismic shift in how WWE was viewed for the upward trajectory for young talent in comparison to its lead competitor.

Guerrero experienced varying success during his first stint with WWE. He defeated Chris Jericho to win the European Championship and formed a popular relationship with Chyna. Latino Heat went on to win the title one more time at WrestleMania X-7, but that same year saw his battle with addiction catch up to him when he was arrested for a DUI and fired from WWE.

Following a successful run on the independent scene and getting his life in order, Eddie Guerrero returned in 2002 as a renewed man. He defeated Rob Van Dam to win the Intercontinental Championship shortly after his return. Guerrero lost the gold back to RVD and jumped to the SmackDown brand to become part of the famed SmackDown Six.

Eddie aligned with his cousin Chavo to form Los Guerreros and win the WWE Tag Team Championships twice. He won tag gold with Tajiri and Rey Mysterio as well. Guerrero also defeated Chris Benoit to become the first WWE United States Champion in 2003.

Finally, Eddie Guerrero reached the apex of his career at No Way Out 2004. He defeated Brock Lesnar in an emotional encounter to win the WWE Championship. Guerrero showed that redemption was possible, surviving inner turmoil and an addiction battle to realize his lifelong dream. His second stint in WWE greatly outperformed his first.

#2 Drew McIntyre - WWE

Vince McMahon introduced Drew McIntyre to the WWE Universe as "The Chosen One". After a near perfect arrival for McIntyre, he defeated John Morrison to win the Intercontinental Championship and seemed on his way to even greater success. Somewhere along the way, he got lost in the shuffle and ended up a member of 3MB.

After five years on the WWE main roster, Drew McIntyre was released from his contract. He used this setback to refocus on being the best that he could in his career. McIntyre returned to the independent scene in his native Scotland and the United Kingdom as well as EVOLVE. He won gold in every promotion that he went to including the IMPACT World Championship.

Drew McIntyre returned to WWE in 2017 and came to the NXT brand. Just a few months after his NXT re-debut, The Scottish Warrior defeated Bobby Roode to win the NXT Championship at TakeOver: Brooklyn III. His reign was cut short when he suffered a bicep injury, but Drew soon found himself back on the main roster alongside Dolph Ziggler on the Raw brand.

Drew and Dolph defeated Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to win the Raw Tag Team Championships. In 2020, Drew McIntyre won the Men's Royal Rumble Match and then defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship. Now a two-time WWE Champion and triple crown winner, there is no question McIntyre has completely redeemed himself since his first stint in the company.

#1 Brock Lesnar - WWE

Brock Lesnar had one of the greatest rookie years in WWE history. Being billed as The Next Big Thing and being managed by Paul Heyman, he had plenty to live up to. Lesnar did that, and then some, when he won the 2002 King of the Ring and defeated The Rock at Summerslam 2002 to become the youngest WWE Champion in company history.

Brock continued on to have a magical two-year run with the promotion, winning the WWE Championship two more times including over Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 19. He departed the WWE after a much maligned bout against Goldberg at WrestleMania 20. Lesnar went on to have stints in the NFL, NJPW and the UFC, becoming the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Brock Lesnar made his triumphant return to the WWE on the Raw After WrestleMania 28 and attacked John Cena. After a loss to Cena at Extreme Rules, he defeated Triple H at Summerslam 2012 and CM Punk at Summerslam 2013. This all led to the biggest victory of his career, beating The Undertaker to end his legendary streak at WrestleMania in one of the most shocking moments ever.

This win at WrestleMania XXX would be a turning point in the second stint in WWE for The Beast Incarnate. Lesnar defeated John Cena in the most one-sided Summerslam main event of all time to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He held the gold for 224 days and went on to win the title again in 2019.

Goldberg returned to WWE himself and beat Brock Lesnar convincingly at Survivor Series 2016, but Lesnar would get his win back at WrestleMania 33 when he beat his rival to win the WWE Universal Championship. He held the title for 504 days, the longest reign in the history of the championship. Brock went on to win the Universal Title on two more occasions.

Brock has many accolades and has produced many classic battles along the way. Whether it be his Survivor Series clashes against Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles or his title defenses against Roman Reigns or Finn Balor, Lesnar doesn't get enough credit for being an exceptional worker still to this day.

Brock Lesnar has created a legacy unlike anyone before him. His run of dominance has been unparalleled. His first stint with the company was unforgettable, but his second stint has etched his name among the greatest superstars in company history. Brock Lesnar has to be recognized as the WWE superstar whose second stint was just that much better than his first.

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