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WWE: From CM Punk to The Rock – 12 biggest returns in WWE history

By Tom Colohue

Shawn Michaels (R) and Triple H, of D-Generation X, celebrate their win during a tag team match as part of as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Crown Jewel pay-per-view at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on November 2, 2018. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Shawn Michaels (R) and Triple H, of D-Generation X, celebrate their win during a tag team match as part of as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Crown Jewel pay-per-view at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on November 2, 2018. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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5. The Rock

This one might not have been a return to wrestling, but it was still a major moment. The Rock hadn’t been seen in a WWE ring in a long time when, to the surprise of everyone there, he was announced as the host of that year’s WrestleMania. Everyone knew The Rock. Everyone knows The Rock. Nobody will ever stay quiet when The Rock enters the ring.

The biggest factor here, despite the man himself literally owning the ring in every segment he appears, was what came after. The biggest WrestleMania main events that could possibly happen at the time, the beginning of a legendary feud in The Rock vs John Cena. Enormous moments for the company and for the fans. The Rock also worked with The Miz and R-Truth at Survivor Series. He even with CM Punk at the Royal Rumble. All in the attempt to create a few new stars.

Nobody can ever discount the possibility of The Rock returning one more time, but this seemed to be the big swan song. We love you, Rocky, see you next time.

4. Triple H

You would be hard pressed to find many people who would say they would miss Triple H on the day in early 2001 that his injury took place. The second member of a two man Power Trip, Triple H had suffered from some confusing storylines and character motivations but after a number of championship runs and some incredibly destructive feuds with Cactus Jack, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, the man had earned his stripes.

Triple H picked up his injury just as the invasion storyline was picking up. He missed major moments that paved the way for the company to continue from then on. He was a heel when he went out and easily one of the least popular men in wrestling. When he took his first step into the arena, all was forgotten. All was forgiven. Triple H was met with an intense wall of love and respect.

What came next bears very little repeating. Championship after championship after championship. Evolution. DX. The Authority. The feud with Lesnar and the feud with Punk. Even now, NXT. It really couldn’t have gone any better for Triple H, could it?

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