10 Huge WWE Comebacks That Led To More Huge Comebacks

3. Hulk Hogan, Then Roddy Piper (2003)

Hulk Hogan fell out with WWE after main eventing SmackDown with Brock Lesnar in 2002, where Brock was booked to bloodily beat him up and hugely dominate him. Hogan afterwards took a hiatus from the company and bickered with Vince McMahon, who wanted him to once again do the job to Lesnar at Survivor Series, with Hogan refusing.

After some time Vince and Hogan were able to come to terms for him to return in 2003 for a high-profile match with Vince at WrestleMania XIX. With nostalgia running heavy, Vince two days before the event wanted to add a surprise to pop fans in the match, and was looking for ideas. Bruce Prichard suggested “Rowdy” Roddy Piper do a run-in, knowing he would fit well, given Piper’s history with Hogan and WrestleMania.

And with that one suggestion Piper interfered in Hogan/Vince’s match and laid out Hogan with a steel pipe. This would set in motion Piper signing a new contract with WWE, aligning himself with Sean O’Haire and feuding with Hogan on SmackDown.

Both old timers Hogan and Piper’s returns were cut short, with Piper later being fired and Hogan quitting once more over creative and pay. It was good while it lasted.