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WWE Royal Rumble: Ranking The Top 10 Surprise Returns

By Granger Chapman

John Cena appears rattled by this blow from Edge Lita during the WWE RAW Superslam event at Acer Arena, Homebush Stadium in Sydney on August 4, 2006. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
John Cena appears rattled by this blow from Edge Lita during the WWE RAW Superslam event at Acer Arena, Homebush Stadium in Sydney on August 4, 2006. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage) /
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4. Rob Van Dam (2009)

When Rob Van Dam’s iconic music hit in 2009, the ring packed full of fighting men stood still and stared in shock. The superstars were caught in shock and awe as stared him down as RVD ran down to the ring.  In typical fashion, he went straight to the top rope. RVD showed that he hadn’t missed a step. He lasted nearly fifteen minutes before being eliminated by Chris Jericho.

This return was one of the rare returns that didn’t lead to a major return. It would be years before RVD would make another shocking return. He wouldn’t be seen again in the WWE until returning for the 2013 Money in the Bank match. However, he never got back to the top of the mountain that he had once reached before.

Yet that one night in 2009, Rob Van Dam looked like the biggest threat of the show. Everybody stopped what they were doing and all eyes were on Rob Van Dam. Despite not returning to WWE, RVD signed with TNA in 2010 and went on to win the world championship during his tenure with the company. With RVD now a free agent, we are hoping he could surprise again in 2021.

3. Edge (2010)

Edge is so great at making a Royal Rumble return, he had to do it twice. After being put out of action with a torn Achilles, Edge healed up early and made his shocking return in the rumble to confront rival Chris Jericho. Unlike many rumble returns before this one, Edge was able to come out on top in the end to win the rumble.

He would take out Jericho before eventually eliminating the runner-up John Cena. As for the return for itself, the fans were on their feet as Edge’s theme music just got started. It was far from the emotional moment that we got ten years later but a huge moment nonetheless. Edge was fired up and Chris Jericho reacted as the apocalypse had arrived.

Even though he won the rumble and went on to fight Jericho at WrestleMania. This was a bittersweet moment for Edge as he would be forced to retire just a little over a year later. He went out on the top as World Heavyweight Champion, but everyone, including Edge, will say they were all waiting for Edge’s second return in 2020.

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