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WWE is well known for exciting fans with its shocking returns of stars every now and then, and this year was no different.
As 2025 comes to an end, several superstars have thrilled fans with their comebacks this year. In this article, we will look at Brock Lesnar, AJ Lee, and every WWE return this year:
#16. The Rock - January 6, WWE RAW's premiere on Netflix
The Rock made a surprise return on January 6, on Monday Night RAW's premiere on Netflix. He expressed his appreciation for Cody Rhodes and his work as the face of the company, and they shared a hug afterward.
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Later on the show, The Final Boss embraced Roman Reigns, after the latter defeated Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat Match to regain his Ula Fala and become the undisputed Tribal Chief.
#15. Charlotte Flair - February 1, Royal Rumble
After missing over a year, Charlotte Flair made her return at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event.
Entering the Women's Royal Rumble Match at No. 27, she eventually won the 30-woman bout to earn a WWE Women's Championship shot against Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania 41. However, The Queen was unable to get the job done, and the Buff Barbie defeated her to retain the title.
#14. Nikki Bella - February 1, Royal Rumble
Earlier this year, Nikki Bella decided to come back for another run in the Stamford-based promotion and returned as the final entrant of the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
Although Bella managed to throw Bayley over the top rope, she was eventually eliminated by Nia Jax. She is currently in a program with Women's World Champion Stephanie Vaquer.
#13. Alexa Bliss - February 1, Royal Rumble
Alexa Bliss also made her long-awaited return at this year's Royal Rumble following a two-year hiatus. She entered the women's match at No. 21 and was later eliminated by Liv Morgan.
She also won the Women's Tag Team Championship alongside Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam, and the two veterans are now trying to win back the gold they dropped to The Kabuki Warriors last month.
#12. Becky Lynch - April 20, WrestleMania 41
Becky Lynch pulled off a jaw-dropping return at WrestleMania 41. She replaced Bayley as Lyra Valkyria's partner in a tag team match against The Judgment Day's Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
The Role Model was mysteriously attacked backstage before The Show of Shows and couldn't compete at the event. It later came to light that it was The Man's handiwork that cost Bayley her WrestleMania spot.
#11. Rusev - April 21, RAW
Rusev made his return to WWE on the April 21 episode of RAW, attacking Alpha Academy's Akira Tozawa and Otis, and turned heel in the process.
He finally returned to in-ring action on the May 5 edition of the red brand, where he defeated Otis. The Bulgarian Brute has managed to become an integral part of the red brand heading into 2026.
#10. Aleister Black - April 25, SmackDown
Aleister Black also made his return the same week on the April 25 episode of WWE SmackDown, after weeks of vignettes teasing his return.
He attacked The Miz with a Black Mass and became an official member of the blue brand's roster, where he continues to perform.
#9. Sheamus - May 5, RAW
After a brief hiatus following this year's Royal Rumble, Sheamus returned to WWE programming on the May 5 episode of RAW, defeating Austin Theory in a one-on-one match.
He then started a feud with Rusev, which set the stage for a Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match at Clash in Paris, where he lost to The Bulgarian Brute.
#8. R-Truth - June 7, Money in the Bank
After announcing his WWE departure, R-Truth brought fans to their feet with his unexpected return at Money in the Bank.
He helped Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso beat John Cena and Logan Paul. Following his comeback, Truth embraced a more serious attitude and began using his real name, Ron Killings, but also retained his ring name.
#7. Bayley - June 9, RAW
Becky Lynch later revealed that she was the one who took out Bayley backstage before The Show of Shows.
This resulted in Lynch being ambushed by The Role Model upon her return to RAW after Money in the Bank PLE. Lynch had won the Women's Intercontinental Championship at the premium live event, defeating Lyra Valkyria.
#6. Goldberg- June 16, RAW
Fans went wild upon Goldberg's return on the June 16 episode of the red brand. Da Man came back during the show and confronted Gunther over an incident at Bad Blood 2024.
He then challenged Gunther to a match for the World Heavyweight Championship on July 12 at Saturday Night's Main Event XL in Atlanta. The showdown was billed as the Hall of Famer's retirement match, where he ultimately lost to The Ring General.
#5. Seth Rollins - August 2, SummerSlam Night 1
Seth Rollins pulled off a shocking return after the main event of SummerSlam Night One and ruined CM Punk's big moment.
Upon revealing that his supposed knee injury was a ruse all along, The Visionary cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Punk shortly after The Best in the World had defeated Gunther to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
#4. Brock Lesnar - August 3, SummerSlam
After two years away from WWE, Brock Lesnar made a massive return at SummerSlam Night Two and put John Cena on notice. This happened right after Cena had dropped the Undisputed WWE Championship back to Cody Rhodes in the main event of the night.
This later led to their showdown at Wrestlepalooza, where The Beast squashed The Franchsie Player, leaving fans disappointed.
#3. AJ Lee - September 5, SmackDown
After Becky Lynch joined her real-life husband, Seth Rollins, in his feud against CM Punk, AJ Lee eventually made her long-anticipated return on the September 5 episode of SmackDown to put The Man in her place.
This finally culminated in a Mixed Tag Team Match between the real-life couples at Wrestlepalooza.
After a brief hiatus, AJ Lee later returned on the November 17 episode of WWE RAW to cost The Man her Women's Intercontinental Championship. She then participated in the Women's WarGames Match at Survivor Series.
#2. Zack Ryder - November 14, SmackDown
Zack Ryder made his comeback on the November 14 episode of SmackDown as LA Knight's mystery opponent in the first round of John Cena's The Last Time is Now Tournament.
He had previously returned to the Stamford-based promotion as part of the TNA invasion storyline with NXT, but with the ring name Matt Cardona. He reverted to his old WWE gimmick when he participated in The Last Time is Now Tournament.
#1. Dolph Ziggler - November 17, RAW
Dolph Ziggler returned on the November 17 episode of RAW as the mystery opponent for Solo Sikoa in The Last Time is Now Tournament.
Unfortunately for Ziggler, he was defeated by Sikoa. This was the 45-year-old's first appearance in the company since his release in 2023.
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