10 Legendary WrestleMania Returns That Changed Everything
The Hardy Boyz at WrestleMania 33
10. Cody Rhodes – WrestleMania 38
After leaving WWE in 2016 and helping launch AEW in 2019, Cody Rhodes returned as Seth Rollins’ mystery opponent on Night 1. He entered with his “Kingdom” theme, elaborate entrance gear, and full presentation intact from his AEW run—something rarely done for returning stars. Rhodes defeated Rollins clean with the Cross Rhodes, signaling WWE’s immediate trust in him as a top babyface. The match itself was given over 20 minutes and received critical acclaim, setting the tone for Cody’s eventual rise to main event status.
9. Matt Hardy – WrestleMania 24
Matt Hardy had been written off TV after a kayfabe attack by Randy Orton weeks earlier. During the Money in the Bank ladder match, Hardy made a surprise return mid-match to target MVP, his real-life and storyline rival at the time. He delivered a Twist of Fate off a ladder, costing MVP a clear chance at retrieving the briefcase. The interference was quick but impactful, blending storyline revenge with a high-risk visual that stood out in an already chaotic match.
8. Yokozuna – WrestleMania 11
At a time when his singles push had cooled, Yokozuna returned as the mystery partner for Owen Hart against The Smoking Gunns. The reveal gave the match immediate stakes, as Yokozuna’s presence shifted the power dynamic. He and Owen went on to win the WWF Tag Team Championships, marking Yokozuna’s final WrestleMania appearance and his last title victory in WWE. The pairing also added credibility to Owen’s growing heel persona.
7. John Cena – WrestleMania 35
John Cena interrupted Elias in a non-advertised segment but did so in a completely unexpected way—reviving his “Doctor of Thuganomics” gimmick from the early 2000s. Wearing throwback gear and delivering a freestyle rap, Cena mocked Elias and performed the Five Knuckle Shuffle to cap it off. This marked the first time in over a decade that Cena used the persona, making it a nostalgia-heavy moment tailored for long-time fans.
6. The Undertaker – WrestleMania 34
After weeks of unanswered challenges from John Cena, it appeared The Undertaker might not show up at all. Instead, he made a sudden, unannounced return late in the show. In a match that lasted under three minutes, Undertaker dominated Cena with signature moves like Old School, a chokeslam, and a Tombstone Piledriver. The quick squash was a deliberate choice to restore Undertaker’s aura following his loss at WrestleMania 33.
5. Paul Bearer – WrestleMania 20
Paul Bearer returned to accompany The Undertaker for the first time in years, reuniting one of WWE’s most iconic pairings. His presence signaled the full return of the “Deadman” persona, complete with the classic entrance and presentation. Facing Kane, Undertaker abandoned the “American Badass” character and brought back the supernatural elements that defined his legacy. Bearer’s return played a key role in that transition.
4. Miss Elizabeth – WrestleMania 7
Following his loss in a retirement match, Randy Savage was attacked by Sensational Sherri. Miss Elizabeth, absent from WWE programming for nearly two years, ran to the ring to make the save. The reunion blurred storyline and real-life emotion, as Elizabeth’s presence helped turn Savage babyface again. The crowd reaction was overwhelming, and the segment is still considered one of WrestleMania’s most emotional moments.
3. Roddy Piper – WrestleMania 19
Roddy Piper returned during the street fight between Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon. Emerging mid-match, Piper teased siding with McMahon before suddenly attacking Hogan with a sleeper hold. The moment played on their long-standing rivalry dating back to the 1980s. Piper’s interference added unpredictability and reinforced his legacy as one of WWE’s most chaotic figures.
2. The Ultimate Warrior – WrestleMania 8
After leaving WWE in 1991 under controversial circumstances, The Ultimate Warrior made a dramatic return in the main event aftermath. As Hulk Hogan was being attacked by Sid Justice and Papa Shango, Warrior sprinted to the ring for the save. The moment symbolized a major reconciliation between Warrior and WWE, and the visual of Hogan and Warrior standing tall together closed the segment on a high note.
1. The Hardy Boyz – WrestleMania 33
In one of WrestleMania’s best-kept secrets, The Hardy Boyz returned as a surprise fourth team in a ladder match for the Raw Tag Team Championships. Having left WWE in 2009 and reinvented themselves across multiple promotions, their comeback felt both nostalgic and fresh. Matt and Jeff Hardy went on to win the titles, with Jeff delivering a Swanton Bomb off a tall ladder. The crowd reaction was instant and explosive, making it one of the most iconic returns in WrestleMania history.
