10 Wrestlers Who Regretted Coming Out Of Retirement

Road Warrior Animal, by virtue of his moniker alone, will forever be linked to the classic tag team in which he formed one half – The Road Warriors/Legion of Doom.

Following his partner Hawk’s death in 2003, Animal took some time away from wrestling. As a performer known for his tag team work, holding duo championships around the world but never a singles title, many would be forgiven for thinking Animal’s in-ring career would conclude.

Yet in 2005 he returned to WWE and was paired with Heidenreich. Rather than form a new team, they became a parody of the Road Warriors, right down to the face paint and spiked shoulder pads, rather than the intended continuation.

Animal struggled with the storyline not playing out as it was pitched. During an interview with The Hannibal TV, Animal expressed that he wished the angle was more explicit that Heidenreich was carrying on in the tradition of the team rather than replacing Hawk. Animal’s new teammate also caused him trouble backstage. During the interview, Animal recalled Heidenreich being passed out in a car having done so much cocaine he was bleeding from the ears.

Heidenreich was soon released, ending the misjudged experiment.