5 WWE returns no one saw coming in 2019

One of the best feelings wrestling fans can ever experience is the return of a fan-favorite Superstar. Throughout the years, we have seen some of the biggest stars who burnt their bridges with WWE make a triumphant return to the company. 2019 proved no different, as some of the biggest names in wrestling made some truly shocking comebacks in ways no one could have ever predicted.

From future Hall of Famers to former World Champions, WWE has tried to spice up RAW and SmackDown over the last few months. To be honest, the problematic phase WWE TV has been through this year alone called for some truly magical moments and the company provided. So without any further delay, let us go through five returns that no one saw coming in 2019.

#5 Goldberg

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Goldberg's return to WWE was a special moment for fans of the WCW legend. From conquering Brock Lesnar in a few minutes to winning the Universal Title, WWE made sure to use 'The Man' in the best way possible. Still, WWE couldn't anticipate the adverse fan reaction the veteran would receive only a few months down the line.

This cut Goldberg's Universal Title reign short, and it seemed like he hung up his boots on the RAW after WrestleMania. However, when WWE needed star power for Super ShowDown, Goldberg was called back into action, as he was set to face another legend in The Undertaker.

Fans were initially split on this match, as many felt that Goldberg and The Undertaker were not able to put on a great match anymore. Nevertheless, putting some major botches aside, the eventual match was not a total train wreck.

Goldberg and Undertaker did what they could to keep fans engaged, but it came at a heavy price. Many thought the injuries Goldberg suffered would spell the end of his time in a WWE ring.

WWE had other plans in mind, as the former WCW Champion shocked the WWE Universe when he returned to challenge Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam 2019.

While WWE did plant the seeds for this showdown, fans took it with a pinch of salt, as no one thought Goldberg would ever take on a Superstar like Ziggler at this stage in his career. Therefore, it was a total surprise when Goldberg returned to sign the contract for the match.

#4 Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar won a Money in the Bank ladder match. Just let that statement sink in for a second, as there are better chances of Lesnar appearing on 205 Live than 'The Beast' being in a ladder match.

However, WWE had their entire fanbase in utter shock when Lesnar's music blasted over the PA system, and fans had to double check, if they were dreaming when Lesnar unhooked the briefcase. WWE cleverly planted seeds for Lesnar's involvement in this match, as Braun Strowman took out one of the ladder match participants in Sami Zayn earlier in the night.

Zayn's exclusion meant something was going to go down, but no one expected Brock Lesnar to be that surprise. After losing the Universal Title at WrestleMania to Seth Rollins, Lesnar was supposed to take a break from WWE. Therefore, this out of nowhere return sent the WWE Universe into a frenzy, and gave us the most entertaining version of Lesnar in years.

#3 Sasha Banks

When Sasha Banks decided to take some time off from WWE, the rumor mill went into a meltdown with different theories and inside information from various sources. Fans heard that Banks walked out after WrestleMania due to the way she was booked at the event, a theory that Banks has since vehemently denied.

Things got even more exciting from that point onward, as Banks stirred the pot online when she slowly started distancing herself from WWE. That is why Banks' return on the RAW after SummerSlam 2019 was so unexpected, as no one thought they would see the former Women's Champion in a WWE ring for quite some time.

Nevertheless, Banks marched down to the ring and destroyed Natalya in front of her hometown crowd to rejuvenate her career in a manner no one thought would be possible.

#2 Batista

Everyone knows the story of Batista's departure from WWE, and fans also recognized the desire that 'The Animal' had in his heart to make a return to the company. However, there was one problem with Bastista's interest in making a WWE comeback; the company had little interest in bringing him back for one more run.

The former World Champion made it clear that he tried contacting the company on several occasions, but hadn't been successful in garnering WWE's interest. That is why Batista's return on RAW back in February was such a big deal. It was Ric Flair's birthday celebration night, and no one could have predicted that Batista would be the man to give 'The Nature Boy' his biggest present.

After attacking Flair and demanding Triple H's attention, a match between the two former Evolution members was set up for WrestleMania where Batista lost and then promptly retired.

#1 CM Punk

After chanting his name for almost half a decade, it seems like CM Punk fanatics finally got their wish: the former WWE Champion is back on WWE Television. Last night, CM Punk shook the wrestling world when he showed up on WWE Backstage. The former WWE Champion will now serve as a special analyst with fellow in-ring veteran Booker T and anchor Renee Young.

Many sites have reported that this return to WWE is not exactly what it seems, as Punk is contracted to FOX Sports and not WWE. However, this is a significant step for the wrestling legend, as one can only imagine the next step from here would be a return to RAW or SmackDown. There have been many Superstars that have burnt their bridges with Vince McMahon's billion-dollar company in the past, but it seems there is always a road back.

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Edited by Michael McClead