10 WWE Returns That Came Out Of Nowhere

5. Kenny Dykstra

Tatanka Tomahawk Chop 2006
WWE.com

Kenny Dykstra in 2016 subverted the wretched paradigm in which we now find ourselves.

In 2016, an inessential performer, if not a black sheep, returned to WWE to play a tertiary role in a superbly-crafted storyline between two enduring midcard acts in The Miz and Dolph Ziggler. It was a role that informed the continuity of Ziggler's character, and one that informed a rare late-career high point. Utilised to poke fun at Ziggler's early years by his antagonist, this was a shockingly good and resourceful narrative by the standards of the modern era.

In 2019, essential performers are squandered in WWE as they fall victim to Vince McMahon's insane whims, the intensification of which lands us very closely to a WrestleMania card that hasn't even been drafted, let alone finalised and foreshadowed. Dykstra to his credit returned to WWE, years after he had excommunicated himself for burying John Cena for breaking up his relationship with Mickie James, in amazing shape.

It didn't land him a full-time gig, but his signing is imminent, surely, since WWE is signing *checks notes* every f*cker not named Nailz.

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Contributor

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!