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Even though it's scripted, professional wrestling is a dangerous profession. The risk of serious injury looms over every WWE Superstar, and all the bumps take their toll over a career. Broken necks, muscle tears, head trauma, and concussions are among the numerous hazards involved.
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A number of wrestlers have been forced to retire due to injuries over the years, and some of them have had their quality of life permanently affected. For instance, former WWE Superstar Darren Drozdov suffered a severe neck injury during a match that left him quadriplegic.
This is why it feels like a miracle every time performers such as Edge step back into the ring. With that in mind, here are five times WWE stars returned against all odds:
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#5 Former WWE Superstar Buff Bagwell
Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton represented the nWo in a tag team match against Ric Steiner and Lex Luger on an episode of Thunder in April 1998. Steiner attempted to perform a bulldog on Bagwell and botched the move, seriously injuring the five-time WCW World Tag Team Champion.
Bagwell was diagnosed with numerous injured vertebrae and spinal shock, which left him wheelchair-bound. After surgery, he made a miraculous return in July of 1998. Bagwell pretended to forgive Steiner before assaulting him and reaffirming his commitment to the nWo.
WCW had the opportunity to make Bagwell a sympathetic babyface in his home state of Georgia, but they preferred to have him as a part of the nWo. The inability to create new stars and move beyond their wildly successful heel stable was one of the predominant reasons behind WCW's undoing.
Once the company folded, Bagwell had a brief stint with WWE. He wrestled Booker T for the WCW Championship on RAW in a match that was panned by the audience and critics. Bagwell was eventually released after an alleged altercation with Gregory Helms.
#4 Four-time WWE Intercontinental Champion Christian
After suffering yet another concussion in 2014, Christian retired from WWE. "I had to retire, like, right around 40 because of the concussion stuff," he said on E&C’s Pod of Awesomeness in 2017. The former World Heavyweight Champion then moved on to other ventures even though he returned to WWE periodically for guest appearances.
Christian was frustrated when he discovered that he was on the "non-contact" list during an angle with Randy Orton in 2020, as part of The Viper's feud with Edge. He subsequently consulted numerous doctors and was cleared to wrestle again, returning as a surprise entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble match.
As Christian was no longer under contract with WWE, he signed a contract with AEW. He went on to defeat Kenny Omega to win the Impact World Championship but fell short in his attempt to capture the AEW World Championship at All Out 2021.
#3 Three-time WWE Champion Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns was diagnosed with leukemia when he underwent a physical after signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. The leukemia was in remission two years after the diagnosis but it returned in 2018, forcing Reigns to vacate the Universal Championship and take a hiatus from WWE.
His return in 2019 was one of the biggest feel-good stories in professional wrestling. After a solid run, Reigns earned the opportunity to face Goldberg for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36. However, he had to take another sabbatical due to concerns around the pandemic and being immunocompromised by leukemia.
After his comeback at SummerSlam 2020, Reigns turned heel and aligned himself with Paul Heyman. He went on to win the Universal Championship and have one of the best world title runs in modern professional wrestling.
#2 Four-time WWE Champion Edge
WWE Hall of Famer Edge was diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis in 2011. As a result, he was forced to retire from professional wrestling after retaining the World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio at WrestleMania 27. He bid an emotional farewell to WWE and went on to pursue an acting career.
At SummerSlam 2019, Edge got the rumor mill churning when he speared Elias. He hadn't been cleared for any physicality since his retirement and there was a lot of speculation about him returning to the ring. After considering an offer from AEW, the former World Champion opted to remain with WWE and returned at the 2020 Royal Rumble.
During his most recent run, he's been involved in memorable feuds with Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins. Edge's performances have been well received, and he's established himself as one of the most important superstars on the roster.
#1 Four-time WWE Champion Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan was forced to retire from professional wrestling in 2016 due to injuries stemming from multiple concussions. Even though he was cleared by external doctors, WWE's head of medical, Joseph Maroon, didn't think he could return to in-ring action.
Bryan announced his retirement in an emotional speech on the February 8, 2016, episode of RAW. He was later appointed SmackDown General Manager by Shane McMahon and remained a regular character on television.
Following a series of evaluations, multiple neurosurgeons and Maroon himself cleared Bryan to wrestle again. The former world champion made this announcement on March 20, 2018, and joined forces with Shane McMahon to face Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 34.
He had a great three-year run, which was highlighted by a memorable reign as WWE Champion. Bryan made his last on-screen appearance for the company on April 30, 2021, and then signed with AEW.
He made his All Elite Wrestling debut at this year's All Out event and is looking forward to many dream matches that fans thought would never realistically happen.
