10 WWE Returns That Came Out Of Nowhere

8. Road Warrior Animal

Tatanka Tomahawk Chop 2006
WWE

"Out of nowhere," isn't entirely accurate, to those aware of Road Warrior Animal's real-life brother and the stroke said brother held in WWE at the time. To those not aware, what the f*ck was this about.

John Laurinaitis served as Head of Talent Relations for WWE in the years between Jim Ross and Triple H, i.e. the years in which WWE's roster was at its dirt f*cking worst. Given that Big Johnny once hired the wrong one-legged wrestler, it's a wonder the thick lug didn't rehire Smash from Demolition instead. "Uhh, which 1980s apocalyptic gimmick was that again?" he wondered aloud. "Ah, yes, the one I'm related to," he reminded himself, before unleashing Animal onto SmackDown screens in 2005.

Challenged to a WWE Tag Team Championship match by MNM, on the July 14 SmackDown, Animal revealed his new partner at The Great American Bash: Heidenreich. He didn't reveal their new name as 'Nepotism & Failure' but, and what bullsh*t this was, 'The Legion Of Doom'. This new version was abysmal, desperate, contrived - all the awful things we associate with pro wrestling. Also boring.

Honestly, Animal would have fared just as well with Rocco waiting for the hot tag.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!