All language subtitles for WWE This Is Awesome s02e07 Returns

You know that feeling we all get when
WWE is totally awesome?

Ooh, yeah!

That feeling of fun, nostalgia, the
memories that made you a lifelong fan.

Like the most awesome returns in WWE
history.

Simply put, The Rock is back!

From the unimaginable to the
unbelievable.

Team Extreme is back.

Goosebump -inducing comebacks.

It's been nine long years.

And superstars who didn't miss a beat.

What? Becky Lynch is back.

These are the money homecoming that
bring us to our feet.

Oh, my God, it's Roman Reigns.

To chant in unison, this is awesome.

Welcome to This is Awesome, the only
show that celebrates the most awesome

everything. Then, now, forever, and
together.

I'm your host, Greg Miller, at
GameOverGreggy on Instagram and Threads.

today, we celebrate the most awesome
returns in WWE history.

A shocking superstar return is one of
the most thrilling experiences in all of

WWE. Whether it's a long -awaited
homecoming...

or a comeback from retirement, injury,
and in some cases, a stint in

The return of our favorite superstars is
laced with so many emotions, and when

that moment finally comes, it's etched
in our minds forever.

There are very few things in life better
than a great WWE return.

The Undertaker is back!

Mmm, favorite return.

Wow, there's so many.

Rondo Rousey! Are you kidding me?

I prefer the surprise ones.

My God!

Tom Harkless is back!

You are a partner.

Wait a minute.

Ultimate Warrior coming back at
WrestleMania VIII to save Hulk Hogan.

believe that? It's like shaking up the
champagne bottle and waiting for it to

pop off.

Whether we miss booing you, we miss
cheering you.

We missed you.

I don't think that there's one right way
to do a return. I think it's

situational.

That anticipation is second to none.

What the hell is going on?

You know who it is? It's Bray Wyatt.

Bray Wyatt is here!

It's almost that absence makes the heart
grow fonder type of situation.

Oh, my God!

Trish, when she came back, like, oh, my
God, we're going to see Trish Russell

again. Looking for satisfaction here.

Delivers it!

Our whole business is built around
moments and invoking emotion.

Claymore!

Returns can...

Really bring both of those out.

Welcome back, Matthew Platt!

Speaking from personal experience,
making a surprising return is very nerve

-wracking. Because, honestly, when you
don't know if anybody's going to care.

Ted Rose here!

There is nothing as gratifying as
knowing that people still remember you.

I just came by to visit an old friend.

It was like a... Just a jolt of
electricity just shot through your

I can't really describe it.

Oh, my God!

What? What? Oh, my God!

It's Seth Rollins!

A pedigree!

Seth Rollins is back!

It made me 20 years younger, man. I just
wanted to get out there. He's back!

Thank God! Father!

Me and D -Bond were happy to be back.

Oh, my God! Are you kidding me?

Get the tables!

Go watch the people. I think it speaks
for itself.

I made my return in 2017.

I wanted to do it because of the WWE
fans.

They were my first love, and I wanted to
come back and say goodbye to all of

them.

And I felt very much loved by everybody
around.

It has been over a year since Bayley has
appeared in...

I have never had a moment like that with
the fans.

Charlotte Flair is back!

I could just feel the respect.

I don't think it's rocket science. It's
just, we missed you. We care about you.

And it's nice.

Well said, Sammy. It's true. Us WWE fans
love a comeback.

When a superstar we've missed walks out
from behind that curtain, whether it's

been 10 months or 10 years, it evokes a
special kind of elation that we welcome

with open arms.

And in 2002, at the world's most famous
arena, Madison Square Garden,

the game, Triple H surely felt that
collective embrace in what is widely

regarded as one of the all -time great
return.

I am the game.

Triple H, every time that he would get
into that ring, you knew that whoever

in the ring with him was going to get
their ass beat.

Everybody hated Triple H.

Indeed he is the cerebral assassin.

Triple H, even with so hooky boss. The
tag team title's on the line here.

From behind, Triple H saved Austin
again.

And he tears his quad.

He tore his quad and continued the match
and then had Jericho put him in the

walls of Jericho. I was like... In the
moment of that, like, my big thing was

when I got injured was, oh, my God,
like, I can't not finish this. We're not

just going to walk out of here.

That's tough. You go back down to
starting over.

The injury was devastating.

And Triple H sought the top sports
surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, and his team

repair his torn quadriceps.

He stood up on it after it happened,
which is impossible.

The game underwent a strenuous surgery
and embarked on a lengthy journey where

the recovery time, even for an athlete
of Triple H's stature, could be up to an

entire year.

It had been months and months and
months. And they started doing these

leading up to his return where they
would show the arduous recovery process.

What I love was taken away from me
before I was ready for it to be taken

But if you have the desire to do it, you
can come back from just about anything.

How bad do you want it?

The vignettes start happening. You see
Triple H working out. You see him

stronger.

Him running on the treadmill and working
out hard, him being in the ring, he

made being injured look so cool in that
return video package that I wanted to

have a quad injury.

You saw how much he cared about coming
back.

I mean, he moved to Alabama to rehab. I
don't know how many people would have

done that.

Been stuck in that little hotel with
nothing to do but rehab and train and

and live like a hermit.

Every second of it was worth it if I get
back in the ring and can get back to

doing what I love to do.

It's Madison Square Garden with the most
passionate WWE fans in the whole entire

world. And Triple H got to make his
comeback there.

And it was with me, which was crazy.

The time has come.

Coming up next, the return of the game,
Triple Eight.

It was like as soon as his music hits,
the place just erupted.

Yeah, the game's back, baby.

To go from probably the most hated man
in WWE when he got injured to come back.

And get that ovation and just speak to
how loved to blaze it.

Every moment of hell that he went
through was thinking about this very

And I remember thinking to myself, do
not cry.

Just in case you've forgotten, I am the
game.

Obviously, somebody has to.

be there to ruin the party. Otherwise,
it wouldn't be wrestling.

What the hell is this idiot, Kurt Angle,
the audacity to interrupt this man's

return?

Hey, look out! Oh, the game! With those
big old right hands! Get out of the face

of that pompous Kurt Angle! Get out of
there, Kurt!

Look at the game! I got the game! It's
in great shape!

Oh, no!

Oh, look out! They're coming to me!

The pedigree!

Pedigree! Pedigree!

Triple H going with pedigree, and there
he was, man. He was back in the game.

Just everything about it.

Fairytale.

The response from the MSG crowd
literally spoke volumes, letting the

that the game was indeed back and better
than ever. And perhaps just as

electrifying was the return of one of
WWE's most beloved and charismatic

superstars, The Rock.

Omega star in the squared circle and on
the silver screen, The Rock's long

-anticipated homecoming was nothing
short of Hollywood magic.

The Rock was gone for seven years.

He was off doing movies and doing all
the Hollywood stuff, and we were all

happy for him. But The Rock in WWE
always felt like home.

You know, seven years in wrestling is an
eternity.

Seven years in wrestling is some
people's whole career.

So leading up to WrestleMania 27, it was
announced that WrestleMania would have

a death post.

Tonight, we learn the official host of
WrestleMania 27.

We had never had a host of WrestleMania.

We didn't know what that meant. We
didn't know what that would look like.

Rumors have been swirling on who the
host will be, from Justin Timberlake to

Will Smith.

I thought it was going to be Justin
Bieber.

There was a limo, and we see a woman
walking, and everyone figured that was

going to be the host of WrestleMania.

And that, what?

Who is she?

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the
host of WrestleMania 27.

All of a sudden, lights go out.

Obviously, it's going to be a big name.
It's WrestleMania.

They want to do everything big.

Lo and behold.

If you smash, the rock is broken.

Oh, what an ovation for the people's
champ. The rock is here.

Coming back like this, the best part
about it was the connection with the

audience and to watch them respond the
way they did after seven years of being

away.

It was very, very special.

Ladies and gentlemen, the most
electrifying man in all of entertainment

joined us live tonight.

I still want to figure out whose legs
were those coming out of the limo? Never

spoken of again.

After seven long years.

The Rock made his perfect return.

So what does that entail? What is Rock
going to do?

No, The Rock is back because I wanted to
do something unprecedented.

I wanted to host WrestleMania.

The Rock called Vince McMahon.

And Vince McMahon said, Rock, there is
only one man capable enough to host

WrestleMania. That man is the Jabroni
Beatings.

If anyone had been concerned about The
Rock not having his basketball, if

anyone had those concerns, they were
immediately banished out of our

minds.

would literally call out John Cena.

You can't see me. What are you playing,
peek -a -boo? You can't see me. I can

see you. Can you see me?

Oh, believe me, we all can see you.

How the hell do you think we can miss?
You come out here with your bright -ass

purple shirt, and before that, your
bright green shirt. Before that, your

orange shirt. You're running around here
looking like a big fat bowl of fruity

pebbles. What a great line. That is just
what The Rock delivers each and every

time. It's one of the biggest moments in
WWE history because it's The Rock

coming home.

100%. The Rock is the reason I'm here.
The Rock was my favorite of all time. I

know there's lots of people who came
back into wrestling because The Rock

back. Simply put, ladies and gentlemen,
The Rock is back!

The rock supernova of a star exploded
that night in Atlanta.

He didn't miss a beat on the mic and
solidified. Once again, he is truly the

and only people's champion.

Now, just a year prior in 2010, the WWE
would see another epic return.

Even though we as WWE fans know to
expect the unexpected.

I don't think any of us had a Bret Hart
return marked on our bingo cards.

But that's exactly what we got when the
Hitman shockingly stepped back on WWE

soil after the bitter and controversial
departure known as the Montreal

Screwjob.

During the 1990s New Generation era, the
faces of WWE were without question Bret

the Hitman Hart and the heartbreak kid
Shawn Michaels, who were born rivals

in and out of the ring.

You're a disgrace to professional
wrestling.

I'll beat up your whole family if you
get in my face one more time. I can't

stand you and you make me sick.

We saw the issues between Bret and Shawn
play out on TV every single week. But

behind the scenes, you could easily say
that those issues were... far worse. And

it all came to a head in the most
explosive of ways at the 1997 Survivor

Folks, this is very, very personal. This
is what it's all about.

I was there in 1997 for the Montreal
Screwjob and the aftermath and Brett's

departure. It was a really sad time.

All kinds of speculation regarding Bret
Hart and his future.

This is just what you gotta love. It's a
good old -fashioned fight.

Are you going to try to beat Bret Hart
with a sharpshooter?

Yes, he is.

Bret Hart gave up with a sharpshooter.
Bret Hart is standing in disbelief. You

talk about controversy.

Michaels with a sharpshooter has become
the WWF champion.

The betrayal that Hitman felt at the
hands of Mr. McMahon led to his

from WWE, where he wouldn't be seen
again for more than a decade.

Time heals all wounds, and both Bret and
Shawn came to a point in their lives

where they wanted to put all of that
history behind them. Bring Bret the

Hart back to the WWE.

I promise you, if you do, only good
things are going to happen.

When Shawn Michaels made it happen, you
were almost sitting there going like,

there's no way.

It's been 12 years, and it's an amazing
feeling.

There was a lot of emotions in there, I
think, for a lot of people. It just felt

right. The very first thing I want to do
is I want to call back there and ask

Shawn Michaels to come out here and see
me face to face.

Have they let the incident go?

Or will all those emotions come rushing
back and overwhelm these two men

tonight?

I call for a truce, and I call for you
to shake my hand, and if you want to

the hatchet, let's bury it right now.

If those two

can put their past differences aside,
then all of us can.

It was like a big giant weight carrying
around all that anger and grief.

It was really important for me to close
that book and really close it. The best

thing I ever did was to make peace with
it.

Such an emotional and memorable
homecoming for the excellence of

His decision to let bygones be bygones
solidified to his fans, he was indeed.

The best there is, the best there was,
and the best there ever will be. Which

brings us to another GOAT, the
incomparable Becky Lynch.

At the peak of her career, Becky made
the emotional decision to step away from

WWE and pursue a totally new kind of
adventure, motherhood. Which left the

universe to wonder if the career of one
of the most revolutionary female

superstars of all time was coming to an
end.

When I made my return in 2021, after
having my first child, it was, yeah,

it was amazing.

One of the top superstars in all of WWE.

We're going, we're just getting started.

She's a headline maker for the first
time ever. Women are in the main event

WrestleMania.

Shoulders down.

She did it.

She's a jawbreaker.

She's a man.

A woman who has set the sports
entertainment world ablaze as of late.

Oh, Becky!

Becky Lynch is someone who has not only
helped the women's evolution, she has

been pivotal to the growth of women in
sport.

Becky Dubelle!

Becky Lynch had created as much history
as anyone

could create.

Fast forward to just about a year later
and to see where her life journey had

taken her.

I have to go away for a while.

No, I can't fight anymore, but you can.

So you go and be a warrior because I'm
going to go be a mother.

That moment between Becky Lynch and
Asuka is legitimately the most beautiful

moment in the history of Raw.

It was very intense.

It's got to be a whirlwind beyond
anything that I'll ever really get to

understand. You work so hard to get
somewhere and for Becky to be where she

and then to step away to have a baby,
it's a very scary thing.

Welcome to the biggest party of the
summer.

Watching Becky come back at SummerSlam
was craziness.

Thunder is in here!

Goosebumps!

An injury is one thing, but your whole
body changes as a woman being pregnant.

You've got to work to get all that back.

We put in the time, you know. She was
working and working and working as soon

she was allowed to, and she put in the
time. She was hustling, so she was as

ready as anybody could ever be.

It was really cool to see her go out
there and get the reaction that she

deserved, being the best of all time.

She just had rue and she came back
somehow looking better than when she

left. Absolutely shredded in fantastic
physical form.

It is great to see you, Becky Lynch.

Well over a year, the man is back.

I just wanted to enjoy every single
second of it because I'd missed it.

Watching her come back and walking
around with this attitude like she owned

place, like she had never left.

Becky came back to throw people around.

It was Becky.

I thought we had too many dream matches
tonight and we somehow add one

more. Becky Lynch.

Becky Lynch is taking care of bestest
with America.

Becky Lynch is a true game changer in
this industry, and she always has been.

She had this journey and came back, and
it kind of made me go, So

this is possible.

She left 16 months ago as a champion.
She returns as a champion.

Unbelievable.

I mean, it doesn't get any more pedal to
the floor than that. Mom power.

Mom power is right.

Return. Kick ass and take gold.

Pretty amazing comeback for the man.

Now, speaking of power, this next guy
just oozes it. Like literally, out of

every one of his pores, you guessed it,
the tribal chief himself, Roman Reigns.

In 2020, the ruling WWE Universal
Champion took a hiatus from the squared

circle, leaving an unfillable void. And
his future with the WWE, very much in

limbo.

The fiend is champion again.

Oh, my God. What the hell? Who the hell?

Oh, my God. It's Roman Reigns.

Roman Reigns established himself as the
greatest of all time the day he

went from the big dog to the tribal
chief.

Prior to SummerSlam 2020, Roman Reigns
was one of the most beloved superstars

WWE. It's the big dog's yard!

But then, a global pandemic hit. And due
to health concerns, Roman Reigns made

the difficult decision to step away from
WWE until the time was right to make

the ultimate return.

So, Roman Reigns, he's off the radar and
he is gone.

We fast forward, we're in the
Thunderdome era.

We go to SummerSlam. It's Braun
Strowman. It's Bray Wyatt. It's The

the Universal Championship.

Ball count anywhere. This will be a flat
out ball.

Huge match.

Huge implications.

It's complete chaos.

Face first with another Sister Abigail.

We have a new Universal Champion.

And here comes Roman Reigns.

When I came back as the tribal chief, I
started to realize if they want me to do

my job, be in the face of WWE, I have to
do it my way.

What a hellacious battle.

Oh, my God. What the hell? Who the hell?
You know who the hell that is? Oh, my

God. It's Roman Reigns.

Roman Reigns.

Roman Reigns is back.

And he's beating the hell out of the
universal champion.

Not only was Roman back, but Roman was
back in a position that we had never

seen before.

Roman Reigns just speared the feed, and
now he's got his sights set on the

monster.

Roman Reigns didn't come back as the
Roman Reigns we all knew and loved.

Roman Reigns with a spear to Scrooge!

He came in with this dark, real serious
attitude.

And I think that just, it set the tone.

Roman Reigns is mangling the steel chair
over the fallen body of Braun Strowman.

And Roman back in the ring.

He looked bigger. He had a new shirt.
And he went in there.

And he wrecked everyone.

And he left.

We said SummerSlam. You'll never see it
coming.

We never saw this coming.

What were we supposed to think about
this Roman Reigns?

Days later on SmackDown, it's revealed
he's with Paul Heyman.

Believe that.

And of course, at payback, he would go
on to win the Universal Championship and

change the course of history, not only
for his career, but the entire WWE.

It's a new era of WWE.

Ever since that day he stepped in at
SummerSlam, No one has found an answer

Roman. That was the start of Roman's
reign. No pun intended.

It most certainly was.

And Roman's dominance since his return
has been nothing short of incredible and

downright commanding. We acknowledge
you, tribal chief.

Now, our next return, well... It was
positively one of the most shocking

in WWE history.

There were no rumors or rumblings to
prepare us for the moment. In 2016, when

the prodigal son Shane McMahon shuffled
his way down the entrance ramp, fresh

Jordans and all, in front of an audience
whose stunned faces gave way to one of

the biggest pops of all time.

My name is Shane McMahon.

Shane, let's be honest, was always the
most beloved of all the McNams. They

Shane O'Mac here. He was the younger
son.

He had pushed back against his father.

My God!

My God!

He had battles with his sister.

And I think Shane had always had that
respect from the WWE Universe.

because of what he did in the ring. You
don't want none of Shane O'Mac.

Shane McMahon was a fixture of the
Attitude Era in WWE.

Shane McMahon had classic matches.

Shane McMahon was a key part of the
corporation and the corporate ministry.

Every time Shane went out there, he
proved he deserved to be there.

Falling off scaffolding.

He's going through glass.

Not going through glass sheets.

And then going through them.

Coast to coast drop kicks.

All the crazy bumps that he took.

Literally everything that he did, he
earned his spot. So when he left, he had

lot of fans that would love to see him
come back.

In 2010, Shane O'Mac shocked fans
worldwide by announcing his resignation

WWE. Shane McMahon was an on -screen
McMahon as much as anybody else was. But

when he was done, he was done.

So in Detroit, at a time when Shane
McMahon was so far off the WWE radar

for years.

An announcement is made that Vince
McMahon is going to be...

giving out some award.

It is my pleasure to introduce to you
the recipient of the Vincent James

Legacy of Excellence Award to Stephanie
McMahon!

Vince is giving Stephanie this award,
and the crowd absolutely hates it. Thank

you, God. I just, I don't know what to
say. I mean... There's raining down

booze, and it's the perfect build -up...
If I may.

...to the ultimate surprise.

When that music hits and people realize
what's happening, there's nothing like

it. One of the best music of all time.

No one thought Shane McMahon was going
to come back.

Man, the crowd loves him.

We were all shocked to see Shane O'Mac
back.

That was one guy you never thought would
return, and we did. He was given the

hero's welcome that he richly deserved.

What's up, Detroit?

The reaction of the crowd is an absolute
testament to how much they love Shane

McMahon, because after seven years, the
excitement on everyone's faces was like

no other.

Shane's triumphant return not only
ruined the day for Stephanie, but it

proved to the WWE Universe that no
matter how long he was gone for, he was

the same old Shane.

Man, did I miss you guys.

I was at WrestleMania 32 when he faced
Undertaker in Hell in a Cell.

And to this day, that is the craziest
thing I've ever seen live.

I had been out about seven years.

My kids would always ask me, you know,
Dad, you ever get a jump back in? You

ever think about doing that again?

We're in Dallas, Texas, in front of 100
,000 people.

And it was just such an unbelievable
honor to have my boys be able to walk

with me, to contribute back to the
business I love.

It's an experience I will never, ever
forget in my life.

What a moment. A collective freakout
from the WWE Universe that I

will never forget.

Now, you won't see our next superstar
jumping off 20 -foot cages or flying

to coast. And that's because, like, he
just doesn't need to.

Brock Lesnar, the Beast Incarnate, is a
physical specimen who in his first year

in the WWE became one of the most
accomplished superstars of all time.

So, when he walked away in 2004 to
pursue other endeavors, we wondered if

next big thing was a thing of the past.

No one is like Brock Lesnar.

He's unique.

He is one of a kind.

He's once ever.

Not human. I don't think he's human at
all. He is just a special entity.

What the hell?

The ring just imploded!

Any fan watching WWE in 2002 thought
Brock Lesnar was the next big thing.

The cover!

One! Two!

Three! Brock Lesnar has defeated The
Rock! Brock Lesnar has become the

champion in WWE!

WWE history!

But Brock Lesnar wanted more. More
challenges, more tasks, more universes

conquer. Being the biggest star in the
history of WWE was never going to be

enough for Brock Lesnar.

What he was thinking back then was, I
might be able to be a pro football

He was the final cut.

He almost made it. And just to let you
know how good of an athlete he is, what

did he do after that? He went to the UFC
and became UFC champion.

I don't know if there's been a bigger
superstar in sports ever.

Everybody knew who Brock Lesnar was. So
when he came over to the UFC, it brought

all eyes to the octagon and everybody
was watching.

The kid becomes champion in anything
that he does.

I knew someday he would return to the
WWE.

13 ,000 strong in Miami for Monday Night
Raw.

And are they jacked? Raw after
WrestleManias are always special.

But The Rock, after WrestleMania 28, saw
John Cena in this position where it's

like he lost to The Rock, and nobody
knows what's next.

The Rock was the better man at
WrestleMania, and I would really like to

congratulate him on his victory.

People just knew bad things were going
to happen. And so his return after eight

years was a shot of adrenaline. I mean,
that's the best way to put it.

The former WWE champion.

The American.

Brock Lesnar came back home, and he saw
who was at the top of the A -game, and

he said, you know what?

I want a piece of him, too.

Even if you've never watched wrestling,
if you have no idea who Brock Lesnar is,

and it's your first show, you know John
Cena is about to pay the price.

We're now seeing somebody who was
already very legitimate in WWE leave.

now we've got him back. And he's not
just back. He's targeting John Cena.

That's a scary moment.

The landscape, the complexion of the WWE

has been drastically changed.

Brock Lesnar is back.

Brock started in that moment, this part
of his career that has been

the best, most dominant Brock Lesnar
that

we have ever seen.

What an I'm back statement from the
beast who certainly did see.

John Cena unleashing his fury on the
champ, sending the WWE Universe into

hysteria. Now, these returns really are
as much about the fans as anything else.

It's their reactions, their joy, and
their love for the superstars that

these unforgettable moments. And, man.

Was that ever on display when one of the
greatest tag teams in history, the

Hardy Boys, made a shocking appearance
at WrestleMania 33?

We are coming back home to where we
started.

When you're here and this becomes part
of you, you're always missing.

I'm very nervous, but to return is just
unbelievable.

We've still got a lot of fuel left in
the tank. We're ready to do this. I'm

ready to knock it out.

The memories, they'll be immortal after
tonight.

The Hardy Boys are here!

I mean, who doesn't get excited to see
the Hardy Boys?

They were one of the best actions I ever
stepped foot in WWE.

Matt and Jeff Hardy, baby! Talk about
excitement!

These guys are crazy! The Hardy Boys are
crazy!

A lot of charisma.

They put their bodies on the line.

And that's exactly why people love him.
That's why they're so successful.

Here can be the danger within, you know,
what it is we do. If you do something

really, really good, you might want to
do it every night.

All of those things take a toll.

This is not goodbye forever.

This is only goodbye for now.

After leaving the WWE.

The Hardys eventually began wrestling
for the competition, leaving fans to

wonder if they'd ever be back.

There were times where I had dreams
about returning, and I think as time

on, I felt like it was much more of a
reality.

At WrestleMania, there were rumblings
all weekend that the Hardy Boys were

returning to WWE.

It was wild because they were doing
indie shows that weekend as well.

They had done such a good job of trying
to throw people off the stand.

They posted something on Twitter about
traveling somewhere else so that they

weren't even close to where WrestleMania
was.

We pull up right after the show starts.
We entered the arena.

It was crazy. Just people didn't know we
were there.

Oh my God, this is really happening.

Nothing's changed. Everything's changed.
I'm driving myself crazy.

The title's hanging high above the ring.

The team to retrieve him.

Become the tag team champions.

We made people think that we were coming
out in order to be in this three -way

match. This ladder match has now become
a fatal four -way.

But then all of a sudden.

What? Oh, my!

You've got to be kidding me!

When you hear that reaction, you don't
just hear it, you feel it. It takes you

over. This is the first time in almost
seven years that the Hardys have teamed

in WWE.

The match went well.

At the beginning where it was like some
classic Hardy boys.

Poetry in motion.

The Hardys have completely turned this
match on its head.

We know what the Hardys can do in ladder
matches. They haven't lost a step.

I was a ball of nerve.

I got the opportunity to jump off a 14
-foot ladder again.

Oh, what is this maniac doing?

Jeff Hardy, the thrill seeker!

I was like, man, you have to take in
this moment because it is special.

It is extremely special.

To see them return, it's like I get to
hold on to that part of me that's a fan.

Everybody was just so cool and
embraceable and happy that we were

The Hardys gave the fans everything they
wanted and more that night. It was

unbelievable to witness after seven long
years.

And while seven years can feel like an
eternity away from the ring, try nine

long years.

It was an emotional and cathartic
homecoming for one of WWE's most

performers, the rated -R superstar Edge,
who had been forced into retirement

seemingly... To never wrestle again.

Eight years ago, I broke my neck. So
fast forward, I made it through

WrestleMania, but the WWE wanted me to
go get more tests.

The MRI showed that I have to retire.

When he gave his retirement speech, it
was just heartbreaking as a fan and a

wrestler to watch.

I know Edge was devastated because this
was his number one love. That was the

toughest thing to watch because he was
so sad and the fans could feel it.

The thing that I wanted to do since I
was a little kid was now gone and the

choice was not mine. For lack of a
better term, it was taken.

To feel all of that, I can't even put it
into words.

I've just moved on with life.

You can adapt and, yeah, you can move
on. You can do other things.

Adam, personally, at that time, I think
he was handling it really well.

He had kind of transitioned into acting.

We put it in the past.

Adam Copeland was acting.

Edge was gone.

I can't even really explain it. Maybe,
strangely, almost nine years off.

Let my body heal a lot.

Okay, I want to see if I can do it. I
think I can.

I just want to see if I can.

I've learned over the years.

To not doubt Adam.

I love the challenge of, okay, nobody's
come back from the injury that I had.

And I wasn't supposed to do this ever
again.

The following is the 30 -man Royal
Rumble match!

Being able to surprise and shock an
audience is really difficult.

Play more kick!

Lester eliminated!

It was kept so secretive. No one knew.

And in 10 seconds, entry number 21.

Who's it going to be?

You just hear the song. The whole
stadium was just bonkers because they

believe it.

It was so many emotions running around
and all pouring out at the same time.

I think the only way to really put it in
words is to look at my eyes. It's been

nine long years!

It was very, very surreal for the
audience, but it was something that Adam

worked towards for nearly a decade,
making that comeback.

No other industry in the world can
replicate that kind of an emotional

to a person. It gives you chills. Like,
I mean, I'm getting them now.

Edge did not miss a single beat coming
back.

Edge with a spear!

He actually was better than ever, and he
looked better than ever.

Oh! A spear fest at the Rumble!

Now he just...

Better than ever, but just like extra
fire and steps and moves and sessions,

everything. Now this is a Royal Rumble
moment.

Nine years later, for him to come back,
are there words for this? I

mean, wow, what a hero, Edge. What a
hero.

That will end up being, I think, my
greatest memory as a performer in

And it's one of my greatest memories as
a fan of wrestling.

Coming back against all odds at the
Royal Rumble and nearly going the

What a story.

And that is what WWE is all about.

Superstars who reinvent and continue to
write new chapters.

And perhaps no better author of their
own narrative is the American Nightmare

Cody Rhodes.

Who? In 2022, returned home to WWE in
grand fashion.

I had anticipated I would never come
back to WWE.

And it's still surreal to me.

Cody Rhodes, the young son of Dusty
Rhodes.

Expect big things from Cody Rhodes.

Cody is really the ultimate story of
betting on yourself.

To me, it always looked like Cody was
trying to figure out who he was.

He went through his stages like Dashing
Cody Rhodes.

He had the face mask for a while.

He was Stardust.

He was struggling to find himself, and
then he left WWE.

Cody Rhodes' journey outside of WWE took
him through the independent scene and

led him to start up his own sports
entertainment company.

But in January 2022, rumors of the
American Nightmare's free agency ran

just as Seth Rollins was left with a
mystery opponent at WrestleMania 38.

Obviously living in this digital age
where information travels so quickly,

was so many rumors swirling about who my
opponent was going to be.

I remember a lot of people speculating,
asking, you know, even people in the

back, like, is Cody coming back?

Everybody was hoping.

Maybe people were even expecting.

Seth Rollins has no clue who his
opponent will be here tonight.

My eyes met a lot of people's eyes, and
it was just a beautiful experience.

From undesirable to undeniable.

The pop that Cody got, I didn't just
hear that, I felt it.

The prodigal son has returned.

I'm so excited for this match because I
know it's going to be something awesome.

This has all of the makings.

Of one hell of a WrestleMania match.

I think he was the perfect opponent for
me in that match. And I think you just

saw two of the best all -timers out
there trying to push each other to the

limit. I sort of like looking around and
everyone's faces are just like,

Crossroads!

And Seth freaking Rollins' WrestleMania
dreams became a

nightmare.

Most people will not remember the match.
And it was a banger. It was a doozy.

But they'll remember that return and
they'll remember that entrance because

was all very real.

You have asked for a better way for Cody
Rhodes to make his return.

Won an award. Won an ESPY, bro.

I'm very excited to be holding the WWE
moment of the year. ESPY is very, very

special. It took him leaving.

To break through that glass ceiling he
had on himself when he was here

originally. There is no ceiling for Cody
Rhodes now.

What a moment for Cody Rhodes.

Bet on yourself and good things will
come. I can't wait for Cody to punctuate

his story book ending.

We hope you've enjoyed this look back at
the most awesome returns in WWE

history. I'm your host, Greg Miller, and
it's been my pleasure to serve you.

Yeah.

On the next This Is Awesome, the most
awesome high flyers in WWE history.

From the death -defying leaps and
breathtaking maneuvers.

Phenomenal forearm!

To jaw -dropping jumps and eye -popping
areas.

Watch as these daredevils soar to new
heights. And go coast to coast.

Only on the next.

This is awesome.