10 DUMB WWE Returns (We Didn't Want To Admit Were GENIUS!)

By Jamie Kennedy / November 1, 2024

'That's dumb'. 'Why did they bring him/her back?'. 'Nobody wants to see THAT guy wrestle again'. Some WWE signings are considered stupid by fans who just fancy a right good moan, but they turn out to be inspired decisions that either help creative or the company's financial bottom line. The same goes for re-signings; in other words, returns.

Loads of wrestlers have roared back into view before thousands (if not millions) of rolling eyes. Then, something wonderful happens: They show their value to the product. Even if that isn't true long term, it was worth trying...right? You bet. One thing WWE cannot be criticised for is experimenting with things to see what might happen.

They produce a lot of TV, after all. Besides, what if Wrestler A returning to the mix reinvigorates shows like Raw and SmackDown? It's a gamble, but definitely one worth taking, and all of the comebacks explored here furnished short-term fun or longer-term pots of cash. That, dear readers, is the number one priority for Triple H - just as it was for his disgraced father-in-law Vince McMahon.

You'll need your time machine for this piece too, because we're shooting all the way back to the glory days of the 'Attitude Era'. 1998 is the earliest landing point for one of the entries going under our microscope, but modern day fans shouldn't fret. There are examples from 2023 and even 2024 too.

These so-called silly WWE comebacks paid huge dividends for the folks in charge, and fans gleaned a lot from them into the bargain.

Dig into the "dumb".

10. Mabel (1999)

Even The Undertaker has openly bashed ex-WWE man Mabel/Viscera/Big Daddy D for being a clumsy oaf who injured numerous peers during a legitimately dangerous push in the mid-1990s. He crushed Diesel's back, broke 'Taker's orbital bone and generally acted as a menace to workers who just wanted a wrestle without needing surgery afterwards.

So, it was a bit of a surprise when Vince McMahon brought Mabel back into the fold for the 1999 Royal Rumble match. It was even more shocking when 'The Deadman' had his Ministry Of Darkness underlings abduct the former King Of The Ring and turn him into a contact lens-rocking, bin bag-wearing nightmare bodyguard for the faction.

Viscera was (re)born in the role, and he was absolutely perfect for it. He had visually impressive physical size, and could realistically rag doll some of Undertaker's enemies next to the Acolytes, Mideon and more. Nobody had him spinning out of this gig into an eventual 'World's Largest Love Machine' gimmick, right enough. That raised some eyebrows.

Bringing Mabel back might've tanked, but the WWF found a spot that helped to mask his limitations and mitigate some of his ungainly in-ring work.