5 greatest comebacks from injuries in WWE history

Everyone loves a good comeback story, from Rocky to Space Jam. There's something truly special about seeing someone fall from the highest of graces, and slowly, painfully work there way back to their former glory, taking the audience along for the ride.

In WWE, this is no different. How often have we seen someone go down with an injury, or betrayed by their tag team partner, or written off of Television in one way or another? They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, so perhaps that is why when we see a superstar return and reach their former glory, it is an incredible sight.

Here are 5 of the greatest comebacks in the history of the WWE.

Edge

When Edge got injured in the summer of 2009, it left a notable gap in the SmackDown roster. The Rated R Superstar had been one of the brand's most prominent stars, since jumping ship from RAW two years prior.

His return at the 2010 Royal Rumble was a huge moment for fans, many of whom found themselves cheering for the Canadian for the first time in their lives.

Winning the match, Edge faced former partner Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 26, and whilst he lost the title match, he clearly hadn't lost his determination.

It took a bit longer than planned, but in December that year, Edge once again became World Heavyweight Champion, beating Kane, Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio in a TLC match.

Triple H

Much like Edge, when Triple H tore his quad in 2001, he was one of the most hated villains on the show.

But after missing the entire Invasion storyline, the Game made a heroic return in January 2002, inside the historic Madison Square Garden.

Jim Ross described it that night as the loudest crowd he had ever experienced, and the Game rode that wave of momentum, winning the 02 Rumble, and facing Jericho for the Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania X-8.

Winning the title in Toronto, The Game showed what it truly meant, to be a winner.

Hulk Hogan

But the Game wasn't the only one to return that year, as after 9 years away, Hulk Hogan returned, this time flanked by his nWo buddies, Hall and Nash.

In what should've been the main event, the Hulkster fell to the Rock, in an epic past v present encounter. But something happened mid-match, as the fans began cheering for the old guard, over the fresh Brahma Bull.

Embracing the love, Hogan left the nWo quickly after, and cemented himself as the greatest ever, donning the Red and Yellow to win the Undisputed title.

Whilst his reign was not long, Hogan proved that Hulkamania will always run wild.

Shawn Michaels

At WrestleMania 14, Shawn Michaels lost the WWF Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin, in what many believed to be HBK's last match.

A serious back injury during a casket match had nearly cost Shawn everything, and yet, in 2002, the Showstopper returned. What originally was supposed to be a one-off match, quickly snowballed into a full-time return.

Capturing the World Championship in November 2002 just proved that the Heart Break Kid could still go post-injury, with Michaels dazzling fans for 8 years, before he retired in 2010. (for now...)

Ric Flair

In this feature, we have looked at neck injuries, quad tears and back surgery, but none of that compares to surviving a horrific plane crash.

On October 4, 1975, that crash nearly ended the career of a young Ric Flair, injuring Flair severely, whilst taking the life of the pilot.

Despite orders that he would never wrestle again, Flair persevered and returned to the ring 8 months later.

From there, Flair, realizing how delicate life could be, decided to change himself, creating the Nature Boy, and has since become an icon of the industry.