10 Surprise WWE Returns That Immediately Transformed Title Matches
3. Triple H
As evidenced in this very list, the element of surprise has suited 'The Game' over the years, but nothing quite matched his dream draw in the 2016's rigged Royal Rumble.
Fresh off obliterating Hunter at December's TLC pay-per-view, new WWE Champion Roman Reigns had raised the ire of Vince McMahon enough that the boss insisted he defend his new prize in the Rumble match itself. It would mark the first time the title had been up for grabs in the 30-man war since Ric Flair's historic 1992 win, but Triple H wouldn't ape his idol's heroic victory.
Forced to enter as #1, 'The Big Dog' survived the first third of the battle royal until Vince and his League Of Nation goons marched out to try and physically remove him from the theatre of conflict. Missing a substantial portion of the match as a result, Reigns returned late on, but The Authority still had their ace to play.
Entering last having not been seen on television since December nor wrestled since the prior year's WrestleMania, Triple H coasted to victory over the knackered champion and his former Shield bretheren Dean Ambrose.