The most exciting time of the year is finally here. SummerSlam 2025 promises interesting twists in existing storylines and some emphatic WWE returns, much like its history. While what happens at this year’s SummerSlam remains uncertain, several remarkable returns at SummerSlam have star-studded the event over the years.
SummerSlam remains one of WWE’s biggest premium live events of the year, second only to WrestleMania. Throughout WWE history, it has served as a pivotal stage for major storylines and unforgettable moments. In celebration of this thrilling event, we take a look back at some of the most impactful high-stakes returns by legendary superstars who shocked the WWE universe at SummerSlam.
10 Becky Lynch (2021)
One of the most unprecedented returns in WWE history took place when Becky Lynch made a surprise return to the WWE at SummerSlam 2021 and challenged Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. The Man, who recently completed 11 years in the WWE, made her entry amidst rousing applause from the WWE universe and shocked Bianca, who simply did not know how to react.
The return became more thunderous and celebratory after she defeated Bianca Belair in a remarkable turn of events and became the new SmackDown Women’s Champion. This moment became a standout point of a career, considering Becky Lynch never turned back from that point and competed against elite talents during her title reign.
Her return was special for various reasons. This marked her first appearance since she relinquished the title in favour of Asuka, announcing her pregnancy to the WWE universe. Additionally, Becky Lynch replaced and injured Sasha Banks in this match and defeated the then SmackDown Women’s champion in under 30 seconds to create one of the shortest matches in WWE history.
9 Bayley (2022)
Bianca Belair became a witness to another historic moment at SummerSlam 2022 when Bayley made her WWE return after she was out from the WWE programming due to a torn ACL for more than a year.
This moment became special also because Bayley brought Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky with her to the PLE event from the NXT; WWE’s developmental roster and announced the creation of a power-packed faction, which would later be known as Damage CTRL; a group that created a special place in the women’s division of the WWE in the modern era.
8 Kevin Nash (2011)
Kevin Nash returned to the WWE at SummerSlam 2011, creating an interesting moment for the fans. CM Punk was at the peak of his abilities and unleashed a relentless attack on the WWE authority throughout the year. The drama was set to culminate at SummerSlam that year, where the second City said was squared off against WWE champion John Cena with Triple H as the special guest referee.
Punk earned everyone’s respect, including that of Triple H, by defeating John Cena and winning the title just when fans were expecting a happy ending to a well-deserved title win. The veteran WWE wrestler, Nash, came out of nowhere and attacked the newly crowned WWE champion with a Jackknife powerbomb.
This led to Alberto Del Rio, the Mr. Money in the Bank for the year, to cash in his contract and outperform an already worn-out CM Punk to become the new Champion.
Triple H could not understand what had just happened, and as soon as he returned to the squared circle, Kevin Nash disappeared amongst WWE fans in an epic hit-and-run attack on CM Punk. The moment marked the beginning of the feud between Triple H and Kevin Nash, as they ultimately faced each other in a Sledgehammer ladder match during the TLC premium live event later that year.
7 Daniel Bryan (2010)
Before his return to the WWE at SummerSlam 2010, Daniel Bryan was fired from the WWE after he physically attacked announcer Justin Roberts and choked him with a tie during Nexus’ debut on RAW. At the PLE event that year, the power-packed faction faced team WWE in a 7-on-7 elimination tag team match.
While team WWE had the star-studded presence of superstars like R-Truth, John Cena, Edge, Chris Jericho, Bret Hart, and John Morrison, they were still a man short and were desperately looking for the 7th person of the team. They had previously approached The Miz to join them, but the overdramatic words from him forced them to announce Daniel Bryan as their 7th member of the team, making his WWE return possible.
The leader of the Yes Movement emphatically returned the favour and fought brilliantly, eliminating 2 members of the team Nexus before getting eliminated himself because of an intervention from The Miz.
6 Edge (2019)
SummerSlam 2019 took place in Toronto, Canada, and proved to be an unforgettable night, especially for Canadian fans. One of the most electrifying moments came when WWE Hall of Famer Edge made a surprise return to the ring. Interrupting Elias during a musical performance, Edge stormed the arena and delivered a thunderous spear, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
His unexpected appearance was especially meaningful, as it marked his first physical involvement in a WWE ring in years. Known for his intense charisma and legendary status, Edge’s return ignited a wave of excitement and reminded fans of his enduring impact.
5 Triple H (2007)
Before his quadriceps injury was at the peak of his abilities in the WWE as a wrestler. However, that injury was a major setback for his career, as he was forced out of WWE programming for several months. Following an emphatic video segment highlighting the physical abilities of the game, Triple H made his entrance, shocking the entire WWE universe.
Booker T, who ultimately found himself against Triple H inside the squared circle, was also shocked that he could not overcome the reenergized Triple H, who returned in better physical shape than ever before and started a new era of dominance inside the ring.
4 Shawn Michaels (2002)
Shawn Michaels’ return to in-ring competition at SummerSlam 2002 is largely perceived as the rebirth of the HBK in the WWE. After facing severe back issues, Shawn Michaels had to retire from the ring in the year 1998, pushing him to the sidelines of the professional wrestling scene.
The Heartbreak Kid made his return in 2002, announcing that he would be joining the power-packed faction, NWO, headed by his best friend of the time, Kevin Nash.
During the build-up to the high-stakes clash at SummerSlam 2002, Shawn Michaels wanted Triple H, his lifelong friend and former DX partner, to join NWO and further consolidate the faction. However, Triple H had plans of his own. Spearheaded by Eric Bischoff, who was the general manager of Monday Night RAW at that time, Shawn Michaels was forced to become the manager of Triple H, a role that HBK hated.
Consequently, the game took every opportunity at his disposal to make Shawn Michaels realise that his career as a wrestler had ended, and he should join Triple H as his manager instead. A brutal attack on Shawn Michaels inside the parking lot from Triple H was the nail in the coffin of their friendship. The two faced each other at SummerSlam 2002, where HBK ultimately won the match after busting his former friend’s head wide open.
However, a sledgehammer attack from the game shrouded his win. In any case, this marked the return of Shawn Michaels as a professional wrestler and his second run in the WWE, which would last until his power-packed clash against The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVI.
3 The Undertaker (1994)
One of WWE’s most bizarre moments was The Undertaker’s comeback at SummerSlam 1994, which was a masterwork in gothic storytelling. The real Undertaker was not seen on television for months after losing a casket match to Yokozuna at the Royal Rumble and going missing because of a back injury.
Ted DiBiase claimed to have brought him back while he was away. Paul Bearer denied the allegation, promising to bring the real Phenom at SummerSlam. Fans witnessed a dramatic showdown on August 29, 1994, at the United Center in Chicago, where the real Undertaker, surrounded by eerie lighting and a specially made casket, faced and defeated the fake in a main event that blurred the boundaries between myth and reality.
2 Roman Reigns (2020)
The future of WWE was abruptly changed by Roman Reigns’ spectacular comeback at SummerSlam 2020. Reigns had missed WWE programming after WrestleMania that year due to health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had kept him out since March.
However, on August 23, following Braun Strowman’s defeat by “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship, Reigns stunned the WWE Universe by barging into the ring and viciously spearing both men. He returned with a more vicious, combative attitude, making it obvious that this was not the Roman fan that they had remembered.
He teamed up with Paul Heyman ahead of Payback a week later, revealing his “Tribal Chief” identity. This signaled the start of one of the most significant title reigns in contemporary WWE history as well as a dominant heel run. Thus, his SummerSlam return was consequential and outrageous, more than personal.
1 Brock Lesnar (2021)
One of the most unexpected and talked-about events in recent WWE history was Brock Lesnar’s return at SummerSlam 2021, which signaled a significant change in both his persona and the organization’s central plot.
Lesnar’s music exploded in Allegiant Stadium after Roman Reigns defeated John Cena to win the Universal Championship again. As a visibly anxious Paul Heyman stood between his current and former allies, Lesnar, sporting a man-bun and beard, strode to the ring and stared down at Reigns. Uneasy, Reigns finally withdrew, indicating the impending confrontation.
After losing the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 36, Lesnar made his first appearance in the WWE. His return reignited tensions with Heyman, who had since become Reigns’ special counsel. The moment laid the groundwork for an intense Lesnar vs. Reigns feud that culminated in a high-stakes clash at Crown Jewel later that year.
From Becky Lynch to Brock Lesnar, these WWE returns were historic in their own right. The consistency with which WWE superstars have made a return to the squared circle signals that something big is cooking up for SummerSlam this year.
What are your thoughts on these remarkable returns at SummerSlam? Do share with us in the comments down below.
SummerSlam 2025 will be streaming live on August 2 and 3 on Peacock in the United States and Netflix everywhere else.
