Top-25 Royal Rumble Returns in History – WWE has released a new countdown video on its official YouTube channel ranking the top 25 Royal Rumble returns in company history, and the list places John Cena’s shocking 2008 comeback at number one.
The ranking focuses on moments where wrestlers made surprise or unexpected returns to WWE action by entering the Royal Rumble match, often after long absences due to injury, retirement, or time away from the company. According to WWE’s countdown, Cena’s return at the 2008 Royal Rumble remains the most iconic of them all.
Cena had been sidelined with a torn pectoral muscle that many believed would keep him out for up to a year. Instead, he entered the Rumble as the final participant at Madison Square Garden, drawing one of the loudest reactions in event history. Cena went on to win the match, immediately re-establishing himself as a top star and setting the tone for one of the most memorable Royal Rumble moments ever.
Cody Rhodes ranked second for his 2023 return, which marked his first WWE appearance since leaving AEW and immediately positioned him as a WrestleMania main event player. Edge followed closely behind in third for his emotional 2020 return, ending a nine-year retirement due to serious neck issues.
The list also highlights several recent entries, including Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Nikki Bella from the 2025 Royal Rumble, showing WWE’s emphasis on surprise returns in both the men’s and women’s matches. Naomi’s 2024 return also earned a spot, reflecting the strong reaction to her re-emergence after time away from the company.
Legends such as The Undertaker, Roddy Piper, Mr. Perfect, and Jake “The Snake” Roberts were also recognized, underlining how the Royal Rumble has long served as the perfect stage for major comeback moments.
WWE’s full top 25 Royal Rumble returns list is as follows:
- John Cena returns at the 2008 Royal Rumble
- Cody Rhodes returns at the 2023 Royal Rumble
- Edge returns at the 2020 Royal Rumble
- Alexa Bliss returns at the 2025 Royal Rumble
- Roddy Piper returns at the 2008 Royal Rumble
- Naomi returns at the 2024 Royal Rumble
- Rob Van Dam returns at the 2009 Royal Rumble
- Rey Mysterio returns at the 2018 Royal Rumble
- The Undertaker returns at the 2003 Royal Rumble
- Chris Jericho returns at the 2013 Royal Rumble
- Booker T returns at the 2011 Royal Rumble
- Diesel returns at the 2011 Royal Rumble
- Trish Stratus returns at the 2018 Royal Rumble
- Charlotte Flair returns at the 2025 Royal Rumble
- Mickie James returns at the 2022 Royal Rumble
- Mr. Perfect returns at the 2002 Royal Rumble
- Bubba Ray Dudley returns at the 2015 Royal Rumble
- Nia Jax returns at the 2023 Royal Rumble
- The Hurricane returns at the 2018 Royal Rumble
- Melina returns at the 2022 Royal Rumble
- Nikki Bella returns at the 2025 Royal Rumble
- Road Dogg returns at the 2012 Royal Rumble
- DDP returns at the 2015 Royal Rumble
- Jake “The Snake” Roberts returns at the 1996 Royal Rumble
- Ronda Rousey returns at the 2022 Royal Rumble
Top-25 Royal Rumble Returns in History
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