Brock Lesnar and the 9 Biggest Stars Who Maintained Popularity After Leaving WWE

Few men and women in the WWE have had the ability to leave for such extended periods of time and still have fans pining for their return quite like Brock Lesnar.

It can be very difficult at times to get over with the crowd. Lesnar did it with ease—even after nearly a decade away from the company.

He left in 2004, only to return eight years later to an undeniable pop.

His re-insertion into story lines was seamless. Lesnar returned with a vengeance and sought to destroy anyone who got in his way.

The WWE Universe ate it up.

Just how did he maintain popularity after all this time?

It's a combination of things.

First, Lesnar arrived in 2002 with an already developing reputation. During his first tenure, he produced quality matches and feuds. Once he left, his legendary status as a bruiser continued to grow—Lesnar tried out for the NFL, wrestled in New Japan Pro Wrestling and earned the Heavyweight Championship in UFC.

Reputation, a memorable first stint and maintaining spotlight afterwards. That is how you hold your popularity with the WWE Universe.

Here are nine other superstars who can get away with leaving and returning whenever they feel like it.

Honorable Mentions

The WWE Universe goes bananas at the sight of these guys, but a full-fledged return isn't necessarily required.

Edge

Typically in wrestling, a star's shine fades away and they become a distant memory. Conversely, they retire and un-retire too many times to count until they become more of a bother.

Edge was different.

He was in the thick of his career when he flat-out called it quits.

He's one of the few that has made such a move and kept to it. It's commendable and due to injuries sustained was the right career move to make.

But that doesn't stop anyone from wanting more Edge.

Edge reminds fans of chair shots, seditious action, spears through tables, blood and even eyebrow-raising, steamy scenes with Lita.

For that, he will always be popular.

John Bradshaw Layfield

Whether it was his contributions as part of the APA or the heel millionaire version, fans love them some JBL.

His moves in the ring were devastating.

Outside of the ring though, he climbs mountains for charity, works with children and frequently tweets or blogs about pop culture, sports and politics.

Roddy Piper

One of the first and most memorable outspoken wrestlers, Piper still appears on WWE programming every so often.

From his loose-cannon antics to Piper's Pit, the rowdy one will always be welcome.

The bagpipes and kilt make him one of the easiest talents to recognize as well.

Batista

Batista was a beast. He had the physique and strength of a true powerhouse, main-event caliber wrestler.

Then just like that, he quit.

Should he return though, it's likely the WWE Universe accepts him back with open arms.

Hulk Hogan

Why is Hogan an honorable mention and not just on the list? Because of his antics.

Between the reality shows, the messy divorce, the Twitter bickering with anyone and everyone and the bouncing back and forth between WWE, retirement and TNA, many are tired of the Hulkster.

Still, he's a legend.

Jeff Hardy

The WWE supposedly let Jeff Hardy go because of substance abuse and poor behavior. Other reports claim he quit because he wasn't in love with the business anymore.

Quit or fired, Jeff Hardy was fun to watch.

His in-ring, high-flying style coupled with a zany personality (have you seen his face paint?) made him a unique and awe-inspiring talent.

As for his WWE days, his legacy will remain a "woulda, shoulda, coulda" case.

Unless, of course, he returns.

Bret Hart

Bret Hart has done so much for the wrestling industry.

He worked his way through WWE from Intercontinental champion to WWE champion. He made the Hart Foundation huge, made pink popular amongst men and took part in one of the most historic events in wrestling history (The Montreal Screwjob).

He even provided added life to WCW.

Hart has feuded with everyone from Yokozuna to Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan to Owen Hart.

Even though he's 55 and has suffered from a stroke, fans would still love to see him in action.

Consider at Raw 1,000, his appearance garnered many to say, "I wish he would have played a larger role."

Bret Hart will always be remembered as one of the best technical wrestlers of all time. He truly is one of the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be.

Ric Flair

It might be the colorful robes. It might be the "Whoo!" chants. It might be the nickname, "The Nature Boy."

Whatever it is, the WWE Universe seems to constantly pine for Ric Flair.

Does it matter that he's 63?

Nope.

The fans seem to want this guy in WWE in any role possible. He could be a manager, create a stable, run a show or division or even strap up the boots for one last go and people would be thrilled.

Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho is one of the greatest all-around wrestlers in history.

If you don't think so, you're severely underrating him.

First off, he's technically gifted. In addition to his "thousands" of submission moves, he can fly around the ring and off the turnbuckles better than many.

Put a mic in his hand and he's even better.

Jericho is one of the best at promos, then backs it up with his in-ring ability.

Still don't think he's one of the best in the world?

The WWE Universe went nuts upon his arrival in 1999 when the clock finally struck zero. They did the same when he returned in 2007 and again in 2012.

Jericho can't be suspended for 30 days without sending the crowd into a frenzy.

He comes and goes, leaves and returns again and again and yet, the WWE Universe maintains the highest level of respect and appreciation for him.

He's one of the few that can get away with it.

Goldberg

Bill Goldberg is yet another example of a talent who—even though he's been gone for eight years—would be cheered upon his return.

He arrived on the wrestling scene with not much history.

After an insanely high undefeated streak and a WCW World Heavyweight Championship win later, Goldberg solidified his place in the history books.

Once WCW was purchased by WWE, the intrigue of Goldberg—WCW's finest—matching up with WWE superstars became insatiable.

Goldberg tangled with top names such as Brock Lesnar, The Rock, Triple H and Batista before leaving wrestling in 2004.

Still, the idea of a wrestler with his legacy and stature returning to take on the likes of Sheamus, CM Punk, John Cena and Lesnar one more time is enough to make one salivate.

Goldberg will be remembered for a long time.

It's no wonder every bald-headed bruiser garners chants of "Goldberg."

Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle is yet another wrestler who left during his peak, only creating more desire to see him return.

It hasn't happened yet.

After working with the WWE for eight years, Angle quit due to his displeasure over the travel schedule. Today, he is one of the top talents in TNA Wrestling.

Angle—like Brock Lesnar—entered the WWE with a huge reputation as a phenomenal amateur athlete. His technical prowess was recognized from the get-go and his mic skills were surprisingly great.

He furthered his reputation as one of the best with numerous fantastically produced matches.

There's no doubt that if Angle returned to the WWE, he'd be able to pick right back up where he left off with the fans.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin

Stone Cold Steve Austin changed the WWE forever by ushering in the Attitude Era and aiding the WWE in its efforts to beat WCW.

For that, he'll always have a place in the ring.

Austin hasn't wrestled since 2004. He hasn't been on WWE programming in over a year. In fact, he missed the 1,000th episode of Monday Night Raw.

Fans were more disappointed about his absence than that of any other superstar.

Though Austin is retired due to medical reasons, missed one of the most important shows in Raw history and is busy hosting Redneck Island, fans still hold on to hopes of his return (say, WrestleMania 29 against CM Punk?).

There's a reason why many constantly ask, "who will be the next Steve Austin?"

The Rock

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson last wrestled in the WWE as a full-time employee in 2003 before transitioning into a movie star.

After 16 films, The Rock returned to the ring.

But he didn't simply just come back. No, instead he announced his desire for one more run at the WWE Championship—a stint that began with the WrestleMania 28 main event against John Cena.

The Rock is 40 years old. He left wrestling for seven years to star in movies.

Yet, whenever the words "If You Smell What The Rock is Cooking" blare over the speakers, fans in attendance and around the world go berserk.

Shawn Michaels

You can make the argument that Shawn Michaels hasn't officially left the WWE. Still, Michaels is a "retired" Hall of Famer.

The guy is magical.

His charisma and talent combined are nearly unmatched.

What he did for the WWE in the 1990s—The Heartbreak Kid gimmick, the in-ring ability, the feuds and the creation of D-Generation X—is undeniable.

Countless times he's been asked to compete banged up and each time he's produced high-quality, "match of the year" type events.

It's no wonder fans always want one more match.