Top 10 Longest Awaited WWE Returns

#10: Edge

After dominating WWE, both in the tag team division as well as a singles wrestler, the wrestling world’s heart was broken in 2011. On the “Raw” after “WrestleMania XXVII,” where Edge defended his title against Alberto Del Rio, he announced his immediate retirement due to cervical spinal stenosis. It seemed like we’d never hear Tony Chimel announce “the Rated R Superstar” again. Because he wasn’t cleared to compete, the Canadian stayed away from anything physical. However, that changed in 2019 when he speared Elias during a “SummerSlam” segment. Suddenly, the rumor mill churned. At the 2020 “Royal Rumble,” Edge made his emotional return as “Metalingus” blared out. Three years later, he departed the WWE. Instead, he joined AEW under his real name, continuing where he left off.

#9: Bret Hart

After 13 years in the then-WWF, the Hitman’s career with the company came to a controversial end at 1997’s “Survivor Series” with the infamous "Montreal Screwjob," securing his switch to rival promotion WCW. However, in 1999, Hart faced Goldberg at “Starrcade,” where a kick seemingly caused the Canadian a massive concussion. Hart continued wrestling through it. But by 2000, he announced his retirement. In 2010, Hart made his first live appearance on WWE programming, leading to him getting back in the ring against Vince McMahon at “WrestleMania XXVI.” However, he wasn’t done. Hart took part in several more matches, including winning the United States Championship from the Miz. The Hitman continued wrestling occasionally until 2011, when he stepped away again.

#8: The Dudley Boyz

WWE tag team wrestling in the early 2000s was a game-changer as the matches became some of the most exciting on the card. And, in part, that’s thanks to the Dudley Boyz. The ECW legends joined WWE in 1999, revolutionizing the division as they won the tag titles many times. Yet by 2005, Bubba Ray and D-Von were released. The duo didn’t hang around long, as they soon joined TNA as Team 3D. As a tag team, they stayed there until 2014 when D-Von left. In 2015, while Bubba popped up on his own at the “Royal Rumble,” the Dudley Boyz arrived together months later, attacking the New Day. This led them into many matches over the year, lending their invaluable experience to the division.

#7: AJ Lee

In a division that, at the time, was struggling for recognition, Lee was one of the standouts. After making her main roster debut in 2011, she took the women’s division by storm with her unhinged character as she won the Divas Championship three times. Lee then used her position to advocate for better pay and representation for the women. However, following the fallout from her husband CM Punk's departure, more on that later, Lee felt conflicted. Ultimately, this caused her to retire in 2015. As well as film work, Lee became a producer at Women of Wrestling for a couple of years. In 2025, she made her dramatic return to the WWE, immediately attacking Becky Lynch and setting up a husband-wife feud.

#6: CM Punk

The Straight Edge Superstar debuted on WWE's main roster in 2006. With his unorthodox appearance and deep passion for the industry, Punk worked his way up to being one of the company’s most popular stars and winning many titles. However, following 2014’s “Royal Rumble,” Punk walked out on the company and seemingly retired. This caused a massive scandal as he spoke about the case on Colt Cabana's “Art of Wrestling” podcast. Punk then spent time acting and in the UFC before returning to in-ring action at AEW in 2021. When that, too, ended in scandal, the Chicago native made his WWE comeback in late 2023 before wrestling his first broadcast match in 2024, something none of us believed possible years ago.

#5: The Fabulous Moolah

As a pioneer of women’s wrestling, Moolah had a long career in the industry, including being involved in “The Original Screwjob” against Wendi Richter in 1985. However, most impressively, she held the Women’s Championship for an unprecedented 10,775 days. In 1987, Moolah signed off her WWE career at the inaugural “Survivor Series.” The following year, she retired after competing at the AWA, whose assets were later bought by WWE. Yet in 1999, then-aged 76, Moolah got back in a WWE ring. While she often teamed with Mae Young for comedy, Moolah also competed by herself, becoming the oldest Women's Champion! She continued wrestling occasionally until 2004 before passing away three years later. However, Moolah’s legacy was later tainted by exploitation allegations from her students.

#4: Kurt Angle

After winning a gold medal with a “broken freakin’ neck” at the 1996 Summer Olympics, Angle had his first WWE televised match in 1999. Making the transition from amateur wrestling to professional look so smooth, not only was he incredible in the ring, but also a delight on the mic. However, due to injuries and substance issues, Angle was granted his release in 2006. Shortly after, he joined TNA, becoming one of the promotion's biggest stars until his departure in 2016. Angle returned to the WWE in 2017, seemingly in a non-wrestling role. However, following Roman Reigns being ruled out of 2017’s “TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs,” Angle got in the ring with the Shield. He continued to perform in the ring until retiring in 2019.

#3: Goldberg

With incredible intensity and an explosive offense, Goldberg quickly dominated WCW after his TV debut in 1997. In 2003, Goldberg joined the WWE after it bought WCW. He immediately became a main-event player. However, before Goldberg faced Brock Lesnar at 2004’s “WrestleMania XX,” it was discovered that both would be leaving the company, resulting in fans turning against the match. From there, he basically stayed away from the ring. However, that all changed in 2016 when Goldberg had a rematch against Lesnar at “Survivor Series,” destroying the Beast in a short bout. Not long after, Goldberg would even win the WWE Universal Championship. He had sporadic matches until his retirement following a loss to Gunther at 2025’s “Saturday Night's Main Event XL.”

#2: Lita

Debuting in a WWE ring in 2000, Lita quickly grew to fame with the Hardy Boyz as Team Xtreme, becoming one of the biggest women wrestlers to grace the sport. With high-risk offense and a unique alternative look, Lita would inspire many future performers before she hung up her boots in 2006. Since then, while she’s popped back in a WWE ring occasionally, 2022 really kicked off her return. Following a “Royal Rumble” return and a standing ovation despite defeat against Becky Lynch at “Elimination Chamber,” Lita came back stronger in 2023. She teamed up with Becky to win the Women's Tag Team Championship. However, that reign came to an end thanks to her long-time rival, Trish Stratus.

#1: Trish Stratus

WWE captured lightning in a bottle by not only having Lita on the roster but also having her rival in the form of Trish. After making her WWE in-ring debut in 2000, she’d go on to win the Women's Championship an incredible seven times. Following legendary feuds with Lita, Mickie James, and more, Trish retired in 2006 as a reigning champion. However, while she made occasional wrestling returns in WWE, it was in 2023 when she essentially made a full-time return. After turning on Lita and Becky, Trish began feuding with the latter, which even involved the duo being in the 2023 “Money in the Bank.” Following a break in 2024, Trish continued her in-ring legacy in 2025.

Which other WWE wrestler or tag team return in history were you most excited about? Let us know below!