Brock Lesnar's Beastly Reemergence (2021)
The main event of SummerSlam 2021 saw Roman Reigns defeat John Cena to retain his Universal Championship. As Reigns stood tall, another icon’s music hit, sending the Las Vegas crowd into a frenzy. Brock Lesnar, absent since WrestleMania 36, marched to the ring
sporting a new look with a beard and ponytail. The tension was palpable as he came face-to-face with Reigns, while his former advocate, Paul Heyman, looked on in terror. This return didn’t just create a shocking moment; it kicked off a dominant, year-long rivalry that would redefine the main event scene and solidify Reigns' status as 'The Tribal Chief'. Lesnar's comeback served as a powerful statement, instantly creating WWE's most anticipated new feud.
Becky Lynch's Controversial Conquest (2021)
Earlier that same night in 2021, another massive return shook the foundation of the women's division. Bianca Belair was scheduled to defend her SmackDown Women's Championship against Sasha Banks, but after Banks was declared unable to compete, Carmella was named the replacement. Before that match could begin, Becky Lynch's music hit for the first time in over a year. Lynch, who had relinquished her title due to pregnancy in May 2020, returned to a massive ovation. She quickly dispatched Carmella, challenged a stunned Belair, and then defeated her for the title in a mere 26 seconds. It was a shocking, polarizing moment that turned one of WWE's biggest babyfaces into a complex villain and ignited a year-long story of redemption for Belair.
Daniel Bryan's Unexpected Vindication (2010)
In the summer of 2010, the hottest act in WWE was The Nexus, a group of rogue rookies set on destroying the company. Their SummerSlam main event was a 7-on-7 elimination match against Team WWE, led by John Cena. Team WWE had a mystery seventh member, with The Miz seemingly poised to take the spot. However, the final reveal was Daniel Bryan, a former Nexus member who had been legitimately fired weeks prior for being "too violent" in their debut attack. The Staples Center erupted as Bryan returned not as an invader, but as a hero for Team WWE, ready to get his revenge on the group that cast him out. This return transformed Bryan from a controversial footnote into a beloved underdog, setting the stage for his legendary career.
The Undertaker's Ominous Warning (2009)
The main event of SummerSlam 2009 was a brutal Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match where CM Punk defeated Jeff Hardy to win the World Heavyweight Championship. As Punk celebrated over Hardy's broken body, the lights went out. When they returned, Hardy was gone, and in his place sat The Undertaker. The Deadman had been absent for months, but his shocking return and subsequent chokeslam to the new champion sent a clear and terrifying message. It was a perfectly executed return that didn't just surprise the audience; it immediately established the next major World Title feud on SmackDown, pitting Punk's straight-edge ideology against a legendary, dark force.
Edge's First Taste of Action (2019)
This return was different. It wasn’t for a match, but it was arguably more significant. Edge had been forced into retirement in 2011 due to a severe neck injury. At SummerSlam 2019 in his hometown of Toronto, he interrupted Elias's musical performance. After a verbal spat, Edge did something no one thought they’d ever see again: he hit Elias with a Spear. The crowd exploded, witnessing the first bit of offensive physicality from Edge in nearly a decade. While not an official in-ring return, this single move sparked widespread speculation and hope among fans. It was the first sign that the impossible might be possible, foreshadowing his incredible full comeback at the Royal Rumble just months later.
