5 WWE returns that were unexpectedly cancelledÂ
There are the turns, the dream matches, the unlikely alliances and then you have the returns. The present-day WWE fan loves a former Superstar coming back to the company's fold for another run.
Look no further than Goldberg's fruitful return to the WWE last year. Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar II was destined to fail on paper. However, nostalgia, bold booking and a solid performance from the myth ensured that the programme turned out to be one of the best of the year.
Everything went just according to plan and everyone, including the WWE, reaped the benefits of the wistful comeback. But, it can all go south within the blink of an eye in the fickle world of pro wrestling.
For every successful return, there is a failed attempt at getting back a popular name, as many superstars have come painstakingly close to walking down the WWE ramp after a lengthy absence only to see a last-minute swerve put a dent in those well-laid plans.
This listicle features five of those superstars whose returns couldn't see the light of the day for varied reasons:
#1 Trish Stratus
Long before the so-called Women's revolution came about in the WWE, two women were busy revolutionizing the very concept of women's wrestling back when the opposite sex was still viewed as mere eye candy.
Trish Stratus, along with Lita, will always be regarded as the original flagbearers of the movement to give the women an equal playing field in WWE. While Lita has been a regular fixture on WWE TV in some capacity over the years, Trish Stratus' most recent return came at the Royal Rumble.
However, reports suggest that WWE did reach out to the legendary Women's Champion for a very big match against Asuka at NXT Takeover: Toronto.
Stratus is a Toronto native and WWE wanted to capitalize on the hometown advantage and at the same time, give Asuka a monumental win on her resume. Trish got pregnant and her spot was eventually handed to Mickie James, who is now prominently (umm...sporadically) featured on RAW.