10 Surprise WWE Returns That Immediately Transformed Title Matches
1. Andre The Giant
Having not actually wrestled as 'Andre The Giant' since April 1986's WrestleMania 2, the return to television of the company's largest athlete and arguably wrestling's most famous star outside of Hulk Hogan himself in January 1987 marked the start of a last great run for one of the McMahon family's most vital historic draws.
It was an unusually auspicious reappearance of the legendary figure. Hogan had been presented with a mammoth trophy on Piper's Pit to celebrate three years as WWE Champion. 'Rowdy' Roddy and WWE President Jack Tunney paid tribute to the iconic run before Andre himself emerged to eerily declare that 'three years (was) a long time' before shaking 'The Hulkster's hand with some force and exiting as quickly as he'd arrived.
Of all people, Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan spoke out about how insulting it was for the Giant to have been a guest in Hogan's celebrations rather than earning a trophy for his own (mythical) undefeated streak.
WWE acted upon the consternation, presenting Andre with a noticeably smaller trophy the following week. As Hulk and Piper heaped praise upon him, Andre simply stormed off. All would eventually be revealed
Mediated again by Piper following an agreed-upon meeting with Jesse Ventura, Hogan and Andre faced off again. Only this time, Heenan flanked the towering monster. The pair callously issued a challenge to Hulk's title, severing an on-screen friendship and setting up the most historic main event in company history.