4 greatest returns in WWE SummerSlam history

WWE SummerSlam has featured several unforgettable moments, from thrilling matches to unexpected debuts. Surprising returns have also been the highlight of many editions of The Biggest Party of the Summer throughout the years.

WWE SummerSlam 2024 will take place at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio on August 3, 2024. Stars like Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Rhea Ripley, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and more will be featured at the event. However, fans are also expecting some absent stars to finally return next week, much like the stars in this list did in the past.

Below, we will look at some of the greatest returns in WWE SummerSlam history.

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#4. Bayley returned at SummerSlam 2022 with backup

SummerSlam 2022 marked the first premium live event since Vince McMahon initially retired, and many fans had high expectations for the show. Triple H kicked off the new era by debuting Damage CTRL.

After a year of inactivity, Bayley returned after Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch's RAW Women's Championship match. The Role Model appeared with IYO SKY and Dakota Kai, who was released earlier that year under Vince's management.

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#3. Many thought Brock Lesnar had retired before returning in 2021

Brock Lesnar returned to action in 2021 [Image Credit: WWE.com]

Brock Lesnar's WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 36 marked his last appearance in 2020, revealing two years later that he was supposed to retire after that year's Show of Shows. However, those plans changed.

In 2021, Brock Lesnar shocked the world when he returned at SummerSlam after Roman Reigns defeated John Cena to retain the Universal Championship. The Beast Incarnate did not just have a regular return, but he did so with a different character by sporting a cowboy/farmer look.

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#2. Roman Reigns started his legendary run as The Tribal Chief in 2020

2020 was a hard year for everybody because of the COVID-19 pandemic, much more for Roman Reigns who was immunocompromised due to his leukemia. Paul Heyman even revealed that during this time, the former Undisputed Champion considered retiring. Fortunately, things took a turn for the better.

At SummerSlam 2020, Roman Reigns returned by attacking Bray Wyatt after his match against Braun Strowman, debuting the iconic Tribal Chief character. Not long after, The Head of the Table became the Universal Champion, started The Bloodline, and the rest is history.

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#1. Daniel Bryan was fired before WWE SummerSlam 2010

In June 2010, WWE saw one of the most chaotic debuts in history through The Nexus, former season one NXT rookies. The group was led by Wade Barrett and among them was Daniel Bryan (AKA Bryan Danielson). Although the segment portrayed the group as dominant stars, it was also the reason for Daniel's release. During the segment, he choked ring announcer Justin Roberts with his necktie and spat on John Cena, which was frowned upon by the company's sponsors due to their PG guidelines. As a result, he was fired.

Bryan wrestled in the independent circuit for months before returning to the Stamford-based promotion at the 2010 WWE SummerSlam event, surprising everybody that he was the seventh member of John Cena's group who fought against The Nexus.