WWE: "It Begins" Promo and Top 10 Superstar Returns

The recent "It Begins" videos that have been appearing on Raw every week have drawn much interest and mystery among the WWE Universe.  

Speculation behind these videos originally pointed toward the Undertaker or Chris Jericho.  However, as the weeks go on and more videos come out, the person or people behind these promos becomes more of a mystery.

The WWE is notorious for having many shocking returns of superstars. These promos have caused me to think about which WWE superstar's return was the best and if the returning person in the "It Begins" promo will be the best.

Honorable Mention

This return is not really a return, but it was probably the best bluffed return in history of WWE.  

Bret Hart is one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time.  He left the company in 1997 after the famous Montreal Screwjob.  Hart refused to work with the WWE for obvious reasons, however, in 2005 he chose to work behind the scenes with the company.

This video makes the honorable mention because I can picture someone dropping their popcorn and drink so they can run back to their seats, or stopping halfway of going to the bathroom, just to see Bret Hart return.

10 (Tie). Kane Returns with the Mask

This happened on the 12/12/2011 version of Monday Night Raw.  

Promos had led fans to believe that Kane would be returning with a mask, which made him the icon he is.  The return was inevitable, but the question was when.  

It was not surprising that his return came during the Mark Henry's match because Henry was the one that injured him in the first place.  However, the fact that Kane chokeslammed John Cena and not Mark Henry was the surprise.

10 (Tie). Jeff Hardy Returns to WWE

In April 2003, Jeff Hardy was released form the WWE because of his drug use, erratic behavior and refusal to go to rehab.  

After stints in independent circuits and TNA, Hardy returned to WWE to feud with then-WWE champion Edge.  Hardy received a huge pop from the crowd despite them knowing he was going to return that night.

10 (Tie). Edge Returns at 2010 Royal Rumble

In July 2009, Edge suffered a torn Achilles tendon and had to get surgery.  It was reported that he could miss up to a year.  

With Edge being out of the picture, Chris Jericho started to mock him because of his injury. Then at the Royal Rumble, Edge returned as a surprise entrant and quickly eliminated Jericho.  He then went on and won the Rumble by eliminating John Cena.

9. Bret Hart's Real Return

The first official live return of Bret Hart came after a 12-year hiatus from the company.  His return came after weeks of controversy that was surrounding him.

Hart returned as a host in January 2010 and would bury the hatchet with both Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon. However McMahon, as apart of a storyline feud between the two, kicked Hart in the stomach.  

8. Chris Jericho "The Second Coming"

WWE began promoting Jericho's return with a mystery promo, similar to the "It Begins" videos.  The video was a 15-second cryptic binary code with biblical links related to Jericho, also similar to the "It Begins" videos.  

The answer to who was behind the promo was revealed when Jericho returned as a face in 2007 in order to "save" the WWE fans from Randy Orton. 

7. Shawn Michaels Returns After 2 Years and Joins the NWO

Shawn Michaels injured his back in 1998, in a casket match against Undertaker.  This injury would eventually cause him to retire.  

He would go on to make several appearances in the WWE as commissioner and made his final appearance in 2000.  

Then in 2002, Michaels made a surprise return as being the new member of the reformed NWO. He would return to the ring and compete as a full-time wrestler and continue arguably the greatest WWE career ever. 

6. Stone Cold Returns in 2003

In 2002 Stone Cold Steve Austin left the company because he had many problems with the company and did not like the creative angles he was presented with.

Then for the rest of 2002, Austin stayed below the radar and did not make any public appearances in or out of wrestling.

After settling his differences with the WWE, Stone Cold would return in 2003, which would ultimately lead to his final official match, which was against The Rock at WrestleMania XIX.

5. The Undertaker Returns as the American Bad Ass in 2000

While I am not the biggest fan of the American Bad Ass character, Undertaker's return in 2000 after injuries was epic.  He missed four months with a groin injury and as he was set to return, tore a pectoral muscle which caused him to miss more time.

Undertaker, or the American Bad Ass, returned in 2000 and took out all the members of the McMahon-Helmsley faction.

4. Triple H Returns from Injury 2002

In a tag team match in May 2001, Triple H suffered a career threatening tear in his left quadriceps muscle while running in the ring to break up a Walls of Jericho.  The timing of the injury was significant because it brought an abrupt end to the McMahon-Helmsley Era and Triple H missed the entire Invasion story line.  

He would return to Raw in January 2002 as a face and received one of the most memorable pops from the crowd.

3. John Cena Returns at 2008 Royal Rumble

In October 2007, John Cena tore a pectoral muscle in a match against Mr. Kennedy in which he continued even after he tore the muscle.  

Cena was stripped of his title and would need surgery that was reported to possibly take up to a year to recover from. 

As a surprise entrant in the 2008 Royal Rumble, Cena made his return and got one of the loudest pops by the crowd ever because this was when Cena's popularity was at an all-time high.  He would go on to win the Royal Rumble.

2. Undertaker and Triple H Return in 2011

Right after the 2011 Royal Rumble, mystery promos, like the "It Begins" videos, hinting at Undertaker's return started airing.

The promos ended with the date 2-21-11 on screen. On February 21st The Undertaker returned to Raw and was interrupted by Triple H, who was also making a return after an 11-month hiatus.  

There was no verbal or physical exchanges, the two stared each other down, performed their signature intimidation actions towards each other, then both turned to the WrestleMania sign, hinting at a match between the two at WrestleMania.

1. Finally the Rock Returns After 7 Years

The host of WrestleMania 27 was being hyped for weeks and on February 14, 2011 The Rock was announced as the host.

The Rock would then give a lengthy segment in which he addressed the fans, Michael Cole, The Miz and most importantly, John Cena.  This segment would be the start of what can be the greatest match of all time.  

The Rock called out Cena because of the shots he took at The Rock in an interview several years back.  Cena would then fire back and it has led to an epic feud that is far from over.