Top 10 Wrestling Comebacks

Injuries and retirements.  These are two things that are common in the world of professional wrestling.  However, these two things rarely stop wrestlers from performing.  When executed properly, a good return can get the fans excited in a product.  A return when done well is a great way to get a reaction from the fans.

Today, we list the Top 10 comebacks in pro wrestling.  Remember, these picks are limited to wrestlers I know of and my own personal opinion.

10. TERRY FUNK (Multiple comebacks)

Terry Funk is a man who can probably tie with Ric Flair for most retirements ever.  The man has retired so many times that it’s become hard to figure out when he’s actually gonna stay away or not.  He retired in Japan and delivered his famous “Forever” speech.  He retired in the States and was crowned the Lifetime ECW World Heavyweight Championship.

But the Funker always comes back and when he does, it’s a sight to behold.  His return to ECW in the 90s saw him main event their first PPV and win their World Title.  A few months into his title reign, he took part in what many feel is one of the most violent matches in history when he took on Sabu in a Barbed Wire Ropes match.

When ECW, the Funker once again made returns, this time for the WWE-produced ECW One Night Stand.  At One Night Stand 2006, the Funk took a sick beating, poured buckets, and came back for more.  Terry Funk is a legend and age has never seemed to stop him.  He can always come back and amaze the world with his hard-hitting hardcore style.

9. JEFF HARDY (2006)

Jeff Hardy was fired from the WWE in 2003.  From there, he made a lackluster appearance for ROH, had an okay run in TNA, but more often than not just floated around whatever card he was on.

However, when he returned to the WWE in 2006, he entered the most successful period of his career.  He won several championships and finally reached the top of the mountain by becoming WWE Champion and World Heavyweight Champion later on.  He would put on some of the best matches in his life against the likes of Edge and CM Punk and was involved in the Wrestling Observer’s Feud of the Year in 2009 against CM Punk.

For a period of time, Hardy was probably the second most popular wrestler in the WWE (behind only John Cena) and was more of then not in the main event of whatever show he was on.

Since leaving the WWE in 2009, he has…well…

TNA.  ‘Nuff said.

8. THE UNDERTAKER (2004 onwards)

The Undertaker is a character who is known for dying as much as Kenny from South Park.  And just like Kenny, he always comes back.  But the comeback that stands out among the rest with the Undertaker is his return in 2004.

The Undertaker had been running his American Badass gimmick and was buried alive by Kane in late 2003.  At WrestleMania XX, the Undertaker returned as the Deadman and entered one of the most fruitful and consistent periods of his career.

Since returning as the Deadman, the Undertaker has put on some of the best matches of his career.  Two WrestleMania classics with Shawn Michaels, an amazing match with Triple H at this year’s WrestleMania, and multiple World Championships.  Despite the various injuries that plague the Deadman, it’s certainly clear that ain’t no grave can hold his body down.

7. MICK FOLEY (2004, 2006)

Mick Foley had “retired” from in-ring competition in 2000.  From then on he’d make sporadic appearances from the WWE but never in a wrestling capacity. 

In 2003-2004, he became embroiled in a feud with Evolution, particularly Randy Orton.  He reunited with The Rock to fight Evolution in a handicap match at WrestleMania.  But the match that truly put the spotlight once again on Foley was his match against Orton at Backlash.

At Backlash 2004, Foley reverted to his Cactus Jack persona and put on a brutal hardcore match that made Orton a star and earned him the respect of many.

In 2006, Foley wrestled for the WWE again.  This time, he put on a brutal match with Edge at WrestleMania and participated in a bloodbath of a match at One Night Stand.

As of recently Foley has been…well…

TNA.  ‘Nuff said.

6. THE ROCK (2011)

The Rock was one of the icons of the Attitude Era.  He was one of the most entertaining wrestlers of all time and he was one of the most missed wrestlers from the Attitude Era.

He left wrestling to make movies for Hollywood.  But that didn’t pan out the way he thought it would.  And The People didn’t seem to be that into his movies either.

But this past January, The Rock FINALLY CAME BACK TO THE WWE.  He was announced as the host for WrestleMania and it created a large buzz about the WWE.  The Rock returned to electrifying the fans of the WWE and already, he is scheduled to main event WrestleMania in his hometown next year.

5. KENTA KOBASHI (2007)

I’ll be the first to admit that I know very little about the world of puroresu.  However, the name of Kenta Kobashi is spoken with respect amongst any wrestling fan familiar with his work.  His matches with Mitsuharu Misawa in the 90s are considered to be some of the best in history.

I have never followed Kobashi’s career consistently, but one bit of history stands out.  What was it?  Oh, he just wrestled after contracting CANCER.  Despite the fact that I don’t follow his career, that fact alone qualifies Kobashi for this list.  If I’d been a little more familiar with puroresu, he might have even been higher up on the list.

4. CHRIS JERICHO (2007)

The first ever WWF Undisputed Champion left wrestling 2005 to focus on being in his band, Fozzy.  But, the man could not stay away and returned to the WWE in 2007.

At first, his return was a bit lackluster, losing to Randy Orton in a WWE Title match and growing stale with his gimmick.  However, in 2008 he turned heel and did a complete 180 with his gimmick.  From the loudmouthed rock and roller of the past, he became a suit-wearing, soft spoken arrogant man who berated the crowd and his opponents.

He would win multiple World Titles after returning and then put on amazing matches with Shawn Michaels.  Currently, he’s on Dancing with the Stars, but he promises to return to the WWE soon.

3. HULK HOGAN (1994, 2002)

Hulk Hogan is arguably, no not arguably, he IS the most popular pro wrestler of all time.  He was the face of the WWF during his run in the 80s.  In 1993, he started wearing out his welcome.  So Hogan left the WWF.

However, he returned to wrestling in 1994, signing a contract for WCW.  His character though was growing stale.  But he once again captured the attention of the wrestling world when he turned heel in 1996 and formed the nWo.

In 2002, he returned to the WWF after being out of the limelight for a few years. returned to the WWE and became a Tag Team Champion and Undisputed Champion later on.

As for right now…well…

TNA. ‘Nuff said.

 

2. RIC FLAIR (2002)

WOOOOOO! The Nature Boy, Ric Flair probably holds the record for most fake retirements.  After WCW folded in 2001, he returned to the ring in 2002 for the WWE.  From then on, he put on some of the best matches in his career (which is saying something for Ric Flair).

Despite his age, he put on classics against the likes of Triple H and Shawn Michaels while grooming young talents such as Randy Orton and Batista.  He was able to capture the hearts of an entirely new generation of fans and became a valued member of the WWE roster.

As for now…well…

TNA. ‘NUFF. SAID.

1. SHAWN MICHAELS (2002)

Shawn Michaels.  What is it about this man?  He is so…AWESOME.  In 1998, he suffered a career-ending back injury.  Two months later, he wrestled what many thought would be his last match against Stone Cold Steve Austin.

He stopped wrestling for 4 years.  Then in 2002, it was announced that he would take on Triple H in an Unsanctioned Match at SummerSlam.  Many expected a trainwreck from the broken down injured man.  What they got was an amazing match.

And he didn’t stop.

Shawn Michaels went on to have amazing match after amazing match.  He produced classics at a rate that made anyone doubt he’d ever been injured at all.  He became what many considered the best in-ring performer of the WWE and always gave those who watched him their money’s worth.  The amount of classics he put on during his return blew away money.

Shawn Michaels defines what a great comeback is and seeing him go was one of the saddest moments in wrestling history.