The Hardy Boyz and Most Unexpected Returns at WWE WrestleMania

The return of the Hardy Boyz at WrestleMania 33 in 2017 will go down as one of the greatest moments in the history of the sport, and WWE will find it difficult to top their impact this year.

Matt and Jeff Hardy tore the house down as they appeared as the fourth team in world title fight for the Raw tag team belts, prevailing in a classic four-way ladder match.

The victory made the brothers seven-time WWE tag team champions, and their return was heralded by fans across the world after an eight-year absence from the organisation.

WrestleMania is not usually used as a stage for returning fighters as it's considered to be the arena for the conclusion of many storylines.

The Hardy brothers' return was largely kept under wraps, as the roster of stars remained in the dark about their arrival after the conclusion of their spells in TNA and Ring of Honor.

Here, we take a look at other famous returns at WrestleMania that captured the minds of grappling fans

Roddy Piper Returns at WrestleMania 19

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As Ronda Rousey prepares to take WWE by storm at WrestleMania 34, her hero "Rowdy" Roddy Piper did the same when he returned to the squared circle in 2003.

The much-loved wrestler emerged from the shadows as Hulk Hogan battled WWE chairman Vince McMahon in a grudge match for the ages at WrestleMania XIX.

Piper removed his dark cloak to reveal his patented ring attire, and he attacked Hogan with a steel pipe to the delight of the crowd.

The two men had a long history dating back to the inception of WrestleMania, and his return was met with equal amounts of shock and awe. 

The Undertaker Breathes Life into the Deadman at Wrestlemania XX

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He never really went away, but fans of The Undertaker were delighted when he abandoned his American Badass persona in order to reboot The Deadman.

As one of WWE's most loyal servants, Mark Calaway has fought around the world as The Undertaker, and the decision to change his image back into the iconic character was a wise one.

Taker continued his classic feud with wrestling brother Kane on the Road to WrestleMania, and he returned as The Deadman with former manager Paul Bearer by his side at Madison Square Garden in New York.

After Kane was defeated, the WWE Universe was left in rapture for one of its most legendary characters.

The Rock Hosts WrestleMania XXVII

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After a seven-year hiatus from the ring, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson returned to WWE to host WrestleMania XXVII.

Fans did not know what The Rock's intentions were when promos of his return began on Raw, but a classic feud with John Cena was about to begin, adding an unexpected twist to his appearance in Atlanta.

The storyline lasted over 12 months, and The Rock and Cena headlined WrestleMania the following year.

Johnson won his eighth WWE Championship during the spell when he beat CM Punk, cementing his return as a wrestling icon.

Ultimate Warrior Gets Huge Pop at WrestleMania VIII

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The Ultimate Warrior's fractured relationship with WWE has been well-documented, but the company gave him huge stages to make his reappearances.

After an absence from the ring, he returned to WWE to assist Hulk Hogan when he topped the card at WrestleMania VIII.

Sid Justice and Papa Shango were Hogan's opponents, but The Ultimate Warrior came to his assistance as the Indianapolis crowd went wild.

He went on to feud with Justice as Hogan stepped aside, but the confrontation didn't build momentum throughout 1992.