7 Greatest Returns In Modern Wrestling History
Relive some of the greatest pops in modern history with these earth-shaking returns.
A wrestler trading one federation for another may do plenty to get the blood pumping, but many of the greatest moments in wrestling history are detonated when a superstar reemerges after a lengthy lay-off. The mind may go to John Cena's iconic 2008 Royal Rumble return at Madison Square Garden, or Triple H's 2002 return after tearing his quad muscle, but the modern era has plenty of adrenaline-fuelled returns that can now be considered all-time classics.
It takes something special to etch your place into fans' minds and into the history books, with all kinds of trappings threatening to foil these big moments. The daily news grind is more relentless than ever, and fans are usually way more informed than the likes of WWE and AEW want them to be. It's why the powers that be deserve all the credit for leapfrogging these hurdles to give us moments that will last a lifetime.
Storytelling is the true key to a great comeback. With characters and stories reaching sophisticated heights that have not been seen in many years, the following are the building-shaking returns that have written themselves into wrestling folklore - then, now, and forever.
7. Jade Cargill Returns At WWE Elimination Chamber 2025
"Who injured Jade Cargill?" is one of the best whodunnit mysteries to play out on WWE television. After dominating the women's tag team division with Bianca Belair and holding the titles for what seemed like an age, their reign together was cut short in shocking fashion.
On the November 22nd, 2024 episode of SmackDown, Cargill was found decimated on a car bonnet in the parking lot. Having been thrown from a large platform, her limp body was next to a shattered windscreen, as Belair and fellow friend Naomi were left devastated. No witnesses saw what happened, and months of speculation began.
After four long months, and with all signs pointing to The Judgment Day's Liv Morgan as the chief culprit, Cargill's music hit as all six participants were locked inside the women's Elimination Chamber at the eponymous March 2025 PLE. As Jade marched towards Morgan, dressed in all black and looking like a badass, she turned her attention to Naomi and laid in the mother of all beatdowns.
It made Jade Cargill look like The Terminator and started the most exciting run of Naomi's WWE career, too.