Top 10 WWE returns that immediately backfired

Some WWE returns that were put together with much effort turned out to be absolute failures.

WWE has been the home ground for the launch of many talented in-competitors. While some of them have risen to the top, others have failed. However, there are some WWE superstars who had one tenure in the company that was prominent, but soon left the promotion.

Many of them were brought back for a second coming in the global juggernaut. However, as soon as they returned, it immediately backfired, turning out to be an absolute failure. Here are those ten names in WWE whose return did not live up to the hype:

10. Sunny

The woman known as WWE’s first Diva, Sunny, became a huge attraction during the Attitude Era. Years later, after her tenure and Hall of Fame induction, WWE brought her to compete in the Miss WrestleMania Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXV. However, she was hardly visible in the bout, with announcers even forgetting to mention her and eventually being tossed out by Beth Phoenix. Her return turned out to be an absolute waste in the process.

9. Eva Marie

Eva Marie was given all means of support to thrive as a WWE superstar, but her comebacks and first tenure failed. When WWE re-signed her in 2021 and brought her with much hype, Marie once again failed to deliver on the buzz created. Her second run, much like the first run, was a complete failure and it backfired on the company to try their luck with her for a second time.

8. British Bulldog

The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith carved out a legendary career in the mid-1990s. However, bringing him back in the early 2000s was a wrong move by WWE. Despite being booked in World title matches, his aura and impact were nowhere close to what they were in his prime, leading to a failed run upon his return.

7. Road Warrior Animal

The Legion of Doom was a rage in tag team wrestling back in the 1990s. However, after the passing of Hawk, Road Warrior Animal returned to WWE in the mid-2000s to form a new version of the tag team. He chose a disastrous wrestler like Heidenreich, who also donned the Road Warriors gimmick in their feud with MNM for the tag team titles. This was a complete failure, and The Animal’s return did not last long.

6. Scott Hall

Scott Hall made a huge impact under his Razon Ramon gimmick in WWE. In 2001, after WCW’s closure, he, along with Kevin Nash and Hulk Hogan, returned as the nWo. The original trio had a short yet captivating run as a stable, following which Hogan and Nash had stellar runs, while The Bad Guy failed to make an impression after WrestleMania X8 with his return completely backfiring.

5. Kevin Nash

Kevin Nash’s return to WWE in 2011 as Diesel in the Royal Rumble match was a game-changer and garnered great reactions. However, his tenure following that was an absolute miss. He was inserted in the CM Punk Triple H feud. Moreover, his health and not being medically cleared led to his match against Punk being canceled. He had lackluster appearances and only one match against Triple H, leading to a failed run.

4. Scott Steiner

Scott and Rick Steiner had a big start as a tag team in WWE from 1992 to 1994. Following his showing in WCW, Steiner was perceived as the hottest free agent and signed by WWE in 2002. While things were expected of him, injuries, preference for Triple H in their feud leading to multiple losses, and meaningful creative bookings led to Scott Steiner failing to become an attraction.

3. Hulk Hogan

WWE Monday Night RAW’s debut on Netflix saw the return of The Immortal Hulk Hogan to the company in 2025. However, his highly anticipated comeback was met with loud jeers and boos and huge negative reaction. While WWE thought it would be beneficial considering Hogan’s star power and influence, it immediately backfired in the process.

2. Goldberg

Goldberg has been coming back for brief tenures since his main comeback in 2016. In 2019, he had the most disastrous return, coming back for a legendary match against The Undertaker at WWE SuperShowdown in Saudi Arabia. The match was a sight of multiple botches, failed moves, and Goldberg nearly breaking The Undertaker’s neck, leading to a completely failed run.

1. Shawn Michaels

The WWE Universe witnessed the return of Shawn Michaels to in-ring action eight years after his official retirement at WrestleMania 26. HBK came back to reform DX with Triple H to battle Kane and The Undertaker at the 2018 WWE Crown Jewel event. While fans had many expectations from the bout, it turned out to be an absolute failure with multiple botches, Triple H injuring his pec, and Michaels’s return hype being lost in the process.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram & Whatsapp.