WWE: From CM Punk to The Rock – 12 biggest returns in WWE history
By Tom Colohue
11. Goldberg
A full 12 years after his last appearance, Goldberg returned to WWE programming for a brief, but brutal run at the top in 2016. He walked into a Survivor Series main event match against Brock Lesnar where The Beast Incarnate was embarrassed, squashed and victimized. This would continue in the following Royal Rumble, then a match at Fastlane where he took on Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship en route to a huge WrestleMania match that saw about four moves used in total.
As returns go, Goldberg’s was largely used for the sake of advertising WWE’s newest 2K game, but this caused no issue given how monumental a moment it was to see Lesnar be destroyed with such ease. Goldberg’s legendary status as the most undefeatable man in wrestling history brought something very different to a company that had become bogged down in 50 50 booking and repetitive angles.
Goldberg’s return could have been brief. However, the call of Saudi Arabia money proved too strong for Goldberg, resulting in a match best forgotten against The Undertaker. We can only hope that Goldberg goes from strength to strength here as he looks far from done in the WWE.
10. Brock Lesnar
It’s impossible to overplay the return of Brock Lesnar. Coming at a time during which WWE was moving back towards its roots as celebrity orientated and attractive to the combat sports enthusiast, Brock Lesnar’s return after nearly a decade heralded the beginning of a slow evolution of the WWE product. It was the first sign of a change in direction that would lead to Ronda Rousey, Tyson Fury and even in some way assisted the development of a man such as Baron Corbin with legitimate combat experience.
It wasn’t just the person either. In Lesnar’s first match, a loss to John Cena, PG programming was thrown completely out of the window. It was hardcore, Cena spent most of it covered in blood and as a viewer even now it’s impossible to view it without feeling a little uncomfortable. This trend would continue in Lesnar’s subsequent feuds with Punk and The Undertaker. Cena would be squashed. Orton would be mauled. Until the arrival of Goldberg the only man who even came close to matching The Beast was Roman Reigns.
Right now, Lesnar is the WWE champion and is lined up for a feud with Rey Mysterio. For everything that Lesnar has been and everything that he has done, you really can’t fancy anyone’s chances.