8 Horrible WWE Returns That Absolutely Nobody Asked For

5. Jinder Mahal (2016)

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WWE.com

When former 3MB jobber Jinder Mahal returned in 2016, few could have ever foreseen him becoming WWE Champion, let alone surpassing the likes of The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, and The Rock's longest reigns. But it happened, and yes, it sucked.

'The Modern Day Maharaja's' initial return was a head-scratcher. Seemingly brought back to fill space post-brand split, he wasn't even getting booked on the major independents after leaving 2014. Mahal left no mark on wrestling's second stages, and looked like he was in real danger of becoming a forgotten man, but WWE made the call, and he "won" his job back by beating former ally Heath Slater on an episode of Raw.

Having added a large amount of muscle mass in his time away from the ring, Jinder was given the Zen-like 'Man Of Peace' gimmick he recently revived on Raw. WWE did little with him aside from a brief run as Rusev's partner in 'The Bulgarian Brute's' rivalry with Enzo Amore and Big Cass. Then, at Fastlane 2017, Mahal did something remarkable: he had a bad match with Cesaro of all people.

Still, at least his abs looked swell.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.