10 Returning WWE Icons That Couldn't Live Up To Their Legend
For many WWE legends, the second act struggled to match the first.
Professional wrestling has forever predicated itself on the man-made mythology of its inhabitants. The men and women behind the costumes and the roles have had to live up to hyperbole and promotion, both of which raise expectations of the consumer. The very best have made good on the hype, matching every otherworldly promise that story could call upon. Wrestling is also a nostalgic endeavor for fans, something that entertains from the cradle to the grave. Today's fan has lived through several generations and eras of sports entertainment, and they've witnessed the exploits of countless icons that inspired them through their TV screens. Through that nostalgia, we as longtime fans do become wistful for the good old days of enjoying wrestling in our respective youths. The simpler days, we'll say. The serial nature of wrestling means that the action will always be there, and because of that, stars of the past are permitted to return after some type of prodigal exit. As fans yearn for those simpler days, those heroes are oftentimes welcome back. In some instances, the nostalgia is properly paid off (Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels in 2002, The Rock in 2012-13), and the stars live up to their lofty images. In other cases, as we're seeing with Shane McMahon's phantom punches today, it can be a daunting challenge living up to halcyon imagery.