10 WWE Returns Everyone Asked For (Which Ended Up Sucking)
3. Mickie James
The words "legend" and "icon" get thrown around a lot in the wrestling world. But, it's not an overstatement to admit that both terms absolutely apply to former Women's Champion Mickie James.
So, you can understand the sheer joy that was felt around the wrestling world when it was revealed that the star would be returning to WWE after a whopping six years away in 2016. An impressive comeback at TakeOver: Toronto reminded everyone what James was still capable of when battling Asuka, and it wasn't long before she was brought back full-time.
Even then, her initial SmackDown showings alongside Alexa Bliss and Becky Lynch were promising enough to suggest the Virginia native had a future further up the card like the days of old. But that was simply just never to be. A few unsuccessful title challenges soon gave way to James slipping into the pack, getting lost in the shuffle for much of her four-year run on the main roster.
If the disrespect shown to her on-screen character wasn't enough, James was then sent her belongings in a trash bag post-release in 2021, leading to the firing of the person responsible - Mark Carrano.