10 Times WWE Totally Trolled You

4. Chris Jericho's Silent Return

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WWE.com

Chris Jericho had been away from WWE television for over a year when cryptic vignettes promoting an unnamed wrestler’s return started airing in November 2011. Months passed, but Jericho was eventually unveiled as the mystery man on January 2nd, 2012, and what a return it was.

Jericho’s music hit, and he paraded around the ringside area in typical fashion. This was easily explained as a returning star enjoying his big moment at first, but the affair just kept going, and going, and going…

Something was off, and when Jericho left ringside without saying a word, the fans were baffled. It was a jarring appearance from a wrestler known for his flamboyant personality and sharpness on the microphone, and he was back at it again the following week. Y2J partook in a six-man tag match, tagging himself in and out of the ring before he could execute a single move, much to his partners’ chagrin.

Y2J soon announced that “at the Royal Rumble, it’s going to be the end of the world as you know it.” Jericho entered the match as promised and looked like going all the way, but WWE opted for Sheamus, one of the most universally rejected Rumble winners in history, instead. Jericho turned heel on CM Punk shortly after, completing the troll job, and leaving everyone who’d cheered his return feeling very, very silly.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.