10 Times Wrestlers Brought Old Gimmicks Back (For One Night Only)
2. "Ruthless Aggression" John Cena (WrestleMania 36)
This one wasn't brought back by choices, rather as part of Bray Wyatt's psychological breakdown of John Cena during their Firefly Funhouse match at WrestleMania 36.
"Doctor of Thuganomics" Cena has made several appearances since he transitioned into a more straight-laced babyface Superman role, most notably at WrestleMania 35 and during his feud with the Rock. Here, though, is the only time where his original SmackDown debut character turned up, tiny trunks and all!
Following a stint in OVW as The Prototype, Cena made his main roster debut in 2002 answering Kurt Angle's open challenge, declaring he had "ruthless aggression". Though following a handful of small feuds he was trapped in limbo on Velocity and set to be cut from the company until he rapped at Stephanie McMahon, which over the next few years made him the biggest star in the company.
Fast-forward to 2020, Cena's wrestling career was winding down and his movie career was taking off. Thus, his second feud with Bray Wyatt leading to that year's 'Mania may end up being one of his last. But the Firefly Funhouse match took him throughout key moments of his career, including his Ruthless Aggression debut, though he was only able to say those words and missed every punch before moving onto the next bonkers segment of this thoroughly entertaining spectacle.