8 WWE Returns That Were Much Better Than Expected

1. Ricky Steamboat

Ricky Steamboat Chris Jericho WrestleMania 25 XXV
WWE

Mickey Rourke's cold-feet gave rise to one of the most heartwarming comeback stories in wrestling history. After the actor, in the midst of promoting latest film The Wrestler, pulled out of a proposed WrestleMania XXV match with Chris Jericho, plans were hastily altered, and instead of taking aim at the movie's principal star, Y2J set his sights on its major theme - over-the-hill wrestling stars.

Thank goodness he did. A three-on-one handicap between Jericho and a trio of legends promised little, but delivered much. The rickety Roddy Piper and even shakier Jimmy Snuka didn't offer much - despite the latter having last wrestled for WWE just two year prior - but once Ricky Steamboat stepped in the ring with Jericho, things exploded. 'The Dragon', treading the canvas for the first time in fifteen years, didn't look a day older.

Steamboat's exchanges with Y2J were so crisp, that the pair were booked in a singles contest for Backlash - in which he was, somehow, even better.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.