25 Most Iconic WWE Ring Entrances Ever

15. Edge (Royal Rumble 2020)

Seth Rollins
WWE

Nine years. That’s how long Edge had been gone from the ring when Alter Bridge's Metalingus riff melted the faces of every fan inside Minute Maid Park at the 2020 Royal Rumble

For almost a decade, one of the company's few post-Attitude Era shining lights had been resigned to a Hall of Fame plaque and retrospective tributes, his neck deemed too damaged for even the most utopian fantasy comebacks. "Never say never" was as apt as ever when 'The Rated-R Superstar' emerged through the smoke to suddenly attempt a run at the main event of WrestleMania. The 21st entrant in the Royal Rumble match, Edge walked, eyes wide, lips trembling and very understandably overwhelmed by the noise. It felt closer to a rebirth than a return; and in living colour on Premium Live Event at the most important time of year.

Jaws were on the floor, and it seems almost trite several years into a relatively busy return for the former World/WWE Champion, but Edge had been a walking cautionary tale for all who dare dream of a comeback. And yet here he was, spear after spear, every bump a gasp, every motion a miracle.

WWE kept it under wraps, and Adam Copeland himself flat out denied it. In an era where leaks and spoilers are more common than title changes, the secrets and lies were all instantly vindicated. Crucially for the company too, it was a reminder that even the worst version of it had the power to stun and move. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. Within the podcasting space, he also co-hosts Benno & Hamflett, In Your House! and Podcast Horseman: The BoJack Horseman Podcast. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, Fightful, POST Wrestling, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett