Top 10 SHOCKING WWE returns of 2023

2023 will go down as one of the most memorable years in WWE history. Not just the matches, but the returns also made this year special. Fans have witnessed many WWE returns in 2023, as many superstars returned after a long time. 

While some returns were shocking, others were announced beforehand. Some were just for one time, while others stayed and proved why they deserved to be back. Some returns changed the landscape completely and will go down as one of the best in history. 

The art of the return is unique in the world of professional wrestling. This year was filled with many jaw-dropping moments and iconic returns.

Although all the returns were amazing and well-received by the fans, some returns were better than others. Here is the list of the top 10 shocking WWE returns of 2023.

10. Randy Orton

Randy Orton‘s return may very well be one of the best returns in the history of WWE. However, it was not the most shocking one, as his return was announced a week before the Survivor Series: WarGames. WWE built the suspense of whether he would return or not by not answering Cody Rhodes‘s calls.

The Viper’s return was memorable and important because his breathtaking RKO to poor JD McDonagh was the reason his team won the match. After his return, Orton immediately targeted the culprits of the attack that forced him out of WWE for 18 agonizing months.

As of now, he has already won four matches and is in contention to fight Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. 

9. R-Truth

R-Truth often doesn’t get the respect he truly deserves. He also returned to the Survivor Series in a segment with Pretty Deadly and Alpha Academy. Unfortunately, his return was overshadowed by the bigger returns on the same night. Fans felt really happy with his return, and after his few minutes of screen presence, it felt like he was never gone. 

R-Truth continued his comedic run after his return, where he kept troubling the notorious faction Judgment Day with his shenanigans. As of now, he is involved in a highly entertaining storyline with Judgment Day and McDonagh. He even got a win against him in his first match after a year. 

8. Lita

WWE Hall of Famer Lita made her return after a one-year hiatus in February to help Becky Lynch get a win over Bayley after attacking the members of Damage CTRL. Her return was a complete success, as she and Becky even became the Women’s Tag Team Champions. They beat the Damage CTRL members Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky to become champions.

She even got her very first WrestleMania win when she teamed up with Becky and Trish Stratus and defeated Damage CTRL at WrestleMania 39. Recently, she made an appearance on NXT to announce the qualifiers for the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT: Deadline. 

7. Kairi Sane

The Pirate Princess Kairi Sane recently made her return to Crown Jewel in aid of her friend Iyo Sky, surprising all the fans. Her return was shocking because, before her return, she had just signed a deal with WWE and rejoined the company. She instantly became the central piece of attraction and changed the complexion of Damage CTRL forever. 

After an amazing performance in the women’s WarGames, she and Asuka have reunited as a tag team, the Kabuki Warriors. They have already started a rampage in the entire tag team division and set their eyes on gold. It won’t be a surprise if the fans see them as the new Women’s Tag Team Champions soon.

6. Booker T

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T made his one-off in-ring return on the night of the 2023 Royal Rumble. The atmosphere became instantly electrifying as his music hit. He looked sharp as a needle, and even performed a spinaroonie in the middle of the ring, which brought all the fans to their feet.

Unfortunately, his return was short-lived, as the Ringgeneral Gunther swiftly threw him out of the ring. Since then, King Booker has been seen doing commentary in NXT. He once again stole the spotlight on social media with his adlibs during the Trick Williams theme song.

5. Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre made his iconic return at Money In the Bank to confront the Intercontinental Champion Gunther. He headbutted the champ and made a statement, that he’s not finished with him yet. Drew had been absent since his loss in that iconic Triple Threat match against Gunther and Sheamus.

Although he lost to Gunther at SummerSlam, he had a great year as he stayed a perennial main eventer in almost every show. He will look to start the new year by becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion, as he will battle Seth Rollins on the Day 1 edition of Raw.

4. Carlito

The place was Puerto Rico, The arena was booming with fans’ screams, as Carlito returned to WWE during the match between Bad Bunny and Damian Priest at Backlash 2023. The whole arena erupted and his return was truly shocking. He helped Bad Bunny defeat Priest and joined WWE.

Unfortunately, his run didn’t go as the fans wanted. He felt lost in the feud between L.W.O. and Bobby Lashley & Street Profits. Carlito barely fought in any match and was just there as a member of L.W.O. The 44-year-old then got taken out by Santos Escobar and has been on the sidelines since then.

3. John Cena

Though John Cena made a return more than once in 2023, His return at the Money In the Bank was the most shocking one. Cena received a great welcome from the fans as they were so happy to see the G.O.A.T. back in WWE. The leader of Cenation was interrupted by Grayson Waller as he stated that WrestleMania should come to the U.K.

Cena would then appear again for a few months because of the Hollywood strikes halting the movie projects he had. His last match unfortunately resulted in a loss as Solo Sikoa beat him after hitting 10+ Samoan Spikes at Crown Jewel. That was the last time fans saw him in WWE till now.

2. The Rock

The return of the most electrifying man in the history of professional wrestling was truly electrifying. The brilliant thing about his return was that nobody knew he was coming. The Rock made his surprising return on the September 15th edition of SmackDown, confronting and attacking Austin Theory.

It was his first televised appearance after four years. Fans still want to see him in the ring for the one last time, against The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns. It seems impossible as the People’s Champion has a very busy filming schedule. It will be interesting to see whether The Rock will return to claim his position or not, as the road to WrestleMania starts.

1. CM Punk

Hands down the best return of the year 2023, and some may even argue, of all time. CM Punk returned to WWE after nine long years at Survivor Series, and the world just froze. He put aside the decade-long beef with Triple H and joined the company, sending shockwaves around the world. 

He immediately took the world by storm by appearing on Raw, SmackDown, and even on NXT to address the WWE Universe. Fans are excited for the road to WrestleMania as Punk’s path looks set, to the main event, the biggest show of them all, and to win the title.

However, one man is standing in his way: Seth Rollins. The WWE Universe might not be ready to witness the biggest rivalry of the last decade. 

In case you missed it:

• “Feel ashamed of my behavior,” WWE Hall of Famer reveals getting emotional and hugging it out with CM Punk upon WWE return
• “Total surrender and dedication to Jesus,” WWE legend Hulk Hogan gets baptized at age 70

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW