John Cena, like many wrestlers, received a warm welcome when he returned from injury.Whether for injury or for personal matters like weddings or movie shoots, the year-round nature of WWE programming requires that superstars take time away. Of course, that requires writing them off television in some way or another.But even more important than that is writing the superstar’s return, and in many cases, that time away has been used as a chance for a change in character or appearance.Here are the top five times a superstar did just that. Who knows? Maybe we'll see the same from one of the numerous superstars who are currentlyout of action.
#5 Triple H
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Few performers have gotten to hear the type of reaction Triple H got at Madison Square Garden when he returned from a painful quadriceps injury in January of 2002.
After 8 months out of action, Triple H was returning as a face, but that wasn't the most noticeable change that night. Never a small man, the Triple H that came down the ramp at MSG was absolutely enormous, with biceps seemingly ready to rip through the sleeves of his leather jacket.
It would seem all those weeksrecuperating a leg injury left plenty of time for upper body workouts.
#4 Sheamus
When Sheamus left WWE programming in late 2014, he was a bruiser but a good guy from a character standpoint and he had a full head of hair. Fast-forward six months and a returning Celtic Warrior was sporting a Mohawk and beads in his braided beard.
On top of that, he was now a bully heel, attacking “little fellas” like Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler. Those attacks, coupled with his bold new look, promoted fans to yell, “You look stupid.”
Sheamus recently got the last laugh, though, cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship to turn irrelevancy into being the most sought after star at the moment.
#3 The Rock
A knee injury in 1997 might have been one of the best things to happen to The Rock’s wrestling career. Before he was the “People’s Champion,” he was Rocky Maivia, a face who wasn't well-liked.
After the aforementioned injury, Rocky returned as the narcissistic heel who referred to himself in the third person as “The Rock,” and the rest is wrestling history. Eventually, that character took off as one of the most beloved faces the sport has ever seen, electrifying fans across the country and likely helping his movie career.
#2 Undertaker
A pair of injuries kept The Undertaker out of action around the turn of the new millennium, and he used that time for a complete overhaul of his character
Gone were the supernatural and occult elements of his original gimmick as they were replaced by bandanas, leather and an actual motorcycle he rode to the ring.
He maintained this American Badass persona throughout the Invasion storyline before returning to his Deadman character in early 2004. Although the run was short compared to the rest of his lengthy career, this character is an unforgettable part of Undertaker’s history, for better or worse.
#1 Sting
Sting wasn't absent from WCW programming for long, but his return was one of the biggest moments in the Monday Night War.
After feeling betrayed by his friends who seemingly believed he would betray them for the NWO, the once flamboyant and colorful Sting became a brooding figure in black and white. He remained true to the face and was on WCW’s side of the promotion’s central conflict, but where he stood became WCW’s top storyline.
The excitement surrounding his wordless appearances in the rafters airlifted WCW past WWF, even if only temporarily.
