While everyone hops on the Heath Slater bandwagon, let’s not forget his partner. Rhyno provides the muscle behind the trailer park hero and pretty much won the Smackdown Tag Team Titles on his own. And he’s doing this while running for the Michigan House of Representatives.
It’s an impressive second act for the Man Beast, after a decade away from WWE. He’s not alone, either. Tajiri and Brian Kendrick both returned to McMahonland this year, each delivering quality performances in the Cruiserweight Classic.
How do I qualify a “second act?” It’s the second time someone swings through a company, after being gone for at least a calendar year. It can’t just be one-and-done comeback match, either. It has to be the second chapter of their story.
Let’s see who had the greatest second act in pro wrestling history.
15. Paul Heyman, WWE (2012)
When the mastermind behind ECW walked out the night of December to Dismember, his heart broken at the disastrous abomination of his creation, no one expected Paul Heyman to come back to work for Vince McMahon. It would take something extraordinary, something downright personal for the evil genius to invest himself again. And that something was the Beast Incarnate.
Six years since that bitter winter night, Heyman strolled down the ramp on RAW (without notice or even entrance music) in May of 2012 and advocated for his longtime client, the recently returned Brock Lesnar. As soon as the mad scientist grabbed the mic, he began another run as manager of not only Lesnar but later Curtis Axel, Cesaro, Ryback and most notably, CM Punk.
This time, however, Heyman’s oral mastery resembled gospel. His powerful enunciation and conviction reverberated throughout arenas and televisions, rekindling the art of the manager while simultaneously revolutionizing it. His promos are main events—his words alone relied upon to sell pay-per-views. In the four years since he has returned to WWE TV, Heyman has cemented his legacy as the heir to Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and in time, could possibly exceed The Weasel.
14. Rick Martel, WWF (1986)
In the early 1980s, Rick Martel swung through the WWF and partnered with Tony Garea to capture the Tag Team Championships on a couple occasions. After fleeing New York for an 18-month reign as AWA World Heavyweight Champion, the Canadian grappler returned during the Rock N Wrestling Era to re-enter the tag team division.
First he teamed with Tom Zenk as the Can-Am Connection, then he allied with Tito Santana to form Strike Force, winning the Tag Team Titles for a third time. At WrestleMania V, Martel abandoned Santana and began a villainous singles run which evolved into the legendary Model character. Blinding his opponents with his Arrogance cologne, Martel obsessed over his pretty boy looks and chastised fans for being jealous of his handsomeness.
13. X-Pac, WWF (1998)
Another shot in the Monday Night War, the former 1-2-3 Kid returned to the WWF the night after WrestleMania XIV, lambasting former boss Eric Bischoff and ditching the NWO for D-Generation X. Lost in the shuffle in WCW, X-Pac immediately ascended to the main event scene by joining forces with Triple H, the New Age Outlaws and later, the McMahon-Helmsley regime. He’d go on to win European, Light Heavyweight and Tag Team gold while feuding with Shane McMahon and partner-turned-nemesis Kane.
12. Dustin Rhodes, WWF (1995)
His first act in the WWF was quicker than a hiccup, but it left a lasting impression: joining his father to battle the “Million Dollar Man” and Virgil.
A few years later, Dustin Rhodes returned to the World Wrestling Federation, but as the most innovative character since Undertaker. Cloaked in face paint and a gold body suit, Rhodes transformed into the mysterious and highly sexual Goldust. Managed by the lovely Marlena, Goldust tormented opponents and confused fans with his homosexual advances, unprecedented on wrestling TV at the time. The Bizarre One would go on to win Intercontinental gold, and despite leaving a few times since the mid-90s, remains a WWE character today.
11. Christian, WWE (2009)
Seemingly the Marty Jannetty of E&C when leaving for TNA in 2005, Christian returned to pick up where Edge left off. Invading the bastardized ECW scene and winning the brand’s title, Captain Charisma then jumped to Smackdown and beat Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship. He went on to have a classic rivalry with Randy Orton over the top prize, and became a main eventer in the process.
The grass may not always be greener on the other side, but kudos to Christian for checking out both patches and smelling like roses afterward.
10. Sid, WWF (1995)
Shawn Michaels brought Psycho Sid back to the WWF because he needed a new bodyguard. Sure, he’s big and strong, but he’s also a PSYCHO.
So it was no surprise a couple months later when Sid attacked the Heartbreak Kid and ended their alliance. You see, the Master and Ruler of the World plays second fiddle to no one. Sid went on to defeat Michaels at Survivor Series 1996 for the WWF Championship and then later unsuccessfully defended the title against the Undertaker in the main event of WrestleMania 13.
9. Matt Hardy, TNA (2014)
In 2014, Matt Hardy returned to TNA after a three year absence following a DUI arrest. He reunited with his brother Jeff and reignited their classic rivalry with Team 3D. Although a good wrestler and popular name with the casual fan, he was still just Matt Hardy, living off his fame from the Attitude Era.
Until he went to war with EC3. From the summer of 2015 until the beginning of this year, Hardy and Ethan Carter III traded the TNA World Heavyweight Championship back and forth. Finally, Hardy vanquished his foe after brainwashing Tyrus to turn against his client.
Jeff wasn’t pleased with his brother’s diabolical ways, and a new war began: #FinalDeletion. Matt Hardy evolved by mentally breaking, dressing like a possessed maestro and speaking in an unidentifiable accent. The wrestling world has been glued to BROKEN Matt’s every move since.
8. Curt Hennig, WWF (1988)
Similar to Dustin Rhodes, Curt Hennig’s first act with the WWF was brief. He wrestled on the undercard during the fall and winter of 1982-1983 at monthly Madison Square Garden shows.
Five years later, he returned in a series of vignettes, bowling 300s and throwing his own touchdowns. Yes, Mr. Perfect had arrived in the WWF, battling Hulk Hogan and winning the Intercontinental Championship while starring as the prize jewel of the Heenan Family.
7. Sgt. Slaughter, WWF (1983)
Sgt. Slaughter returned to the WWF in the spring of 1983, picking up where he left off in 1981, recruiting the Grand Wizard as his manager and challenging Bob Backlund for the WWF Championship.
Although unsuccessful in his pursuit of the title, Sarge gained something much greater: the adoration of the fans. Instead of chasing personal wealth and glory, Slaughter defended the honor of his country by targeting the Iron Sheik. He became one of the most popular wrestlers in the company, even rivaling Hulk Hogan before leaving the WWF in 1984.
6. Ricky Steamboat, NWA (1989)
His comeback lasted just under eight months, but The Dragon soared higher than ever during his second act in the NWA. In January of 1989, Ricky Steamboat shocked the world by being Eddie Gilbert’s surprise partner against Barry Windham and Ric Flair. Of course, this infuriated the Nature Boy who reignited his rivalry with Steamer—this time taking it to three consecutive supershows, having the greatest trilogy of matches in wrasslin’ history. Steamboat beat Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Chi-Town Rumble, retained in controversial fashion at Clash of the Champions, and then lost the title back to Flair at WrestleWar.
5. Jeff Hardy, WWE (2006)
The Charismatic Enigma was released from WWE in 2003 due to burnout and struggles with substance abuse. It was a disappointing end to a great run, and fans chalked up Hardy’s career as unlimited, yet never fulfilled potential.
Three years later, the Rainbow Haired Warrior returned to RAW, facing former rival and WWE Champion Edge. Jeff Hardy went on to win Intercontinental gold reunite with brother Matt, gaining incredible popularity along the way. In 2008, he began his journey toward reaching the top of the mountain, flirting with the main event scene and finally winning the WWE Championship in December. Hardy would win the title another two times, feuding against Matt and CM Punk in classic, hardcore battles, before leaving the company at the peak of his stardom.
4. Kevin Nash, WCW (1996)
Starting his career in WCW, Kevin Nash spent the early 1990s miscast as the orange-mohawked Steel of the Master Blasters, the all great and powerful Oz, and loanshark Vinnie Vegas.
When he returned to WCW as himself, Kevin Nash changed the wrestling world forever as one of the founders of the New World Order.
3. Chris Jericho, WWE (2007)
It took a few months for Chris Jericho to reinvent himself, but by April of 2008, the rockstar smart aleck who came to save us for the millennium had now turned his back on the Jerichoholics. Dressed in a suit, never raising his voice, using a vocabulary above the average wrestling fan’s understanding, Jericho became this self-righteous prophet, pointing out the hypocrisies of heroes like Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Roddy Piper and Ricky Steamboat.
Jericho defined his legacy with 5-star matches, awesome rivalries with Shawn Michaels and Rey Mysterio, and multiple world title reigns.
2. Shawn Michaels, WWE (2002)
The concept of the second act was inspired by Shawn Michaels’ career. From 1988 until 1998, the Heartbreak Kid spent a decade carving out his spot in the hall of fame. The Rockers, the ladder match, D-X, Hell in a Cell, the Kliq, world title reigns…HBK did it all.
Or so we thought.
After four years away from the ring due to a bad back and worse drug addiction, the Show Stopper returned in glorious fashion, defeating Triple H in a street fight at SummerSlam 2002. What seemed like one and done was the start of an outstanding eight-year run that saw Michaels win another world title, retire Ric Flair, reunite D-X, and have two of the greatest matches ever—both with Undertaker.
We learned that we’ll never know when the show truly stops for Mr. WrestleMania.
1. Brock Lesnar, WWE (2012)
Before you groan that Brock Lesnar tops another Corrigan’s Corner list, read these facts:
Destroys John Cena for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2014.
Decisively wins a feud against Triple H.
Beats CM Punk in the 2013 match of the year.
Main events WrestleMania 31 against Roman Reigns.
Brings gory bloodfests back to WWE TV.
Remains the only WWE Superstar to receive primetime exposure on ESPN.
Fights in UFC while under WWE contract…and wins.
And the best for last,
Ends The Streak.
When Brock Lesnar quit WWE in 2004, it was a shocking, massive blow. He had become WWE Champion in five months, a record that still stands. He main evented WrestleMania and was the face of the Smackdown brand. He defeated The Rock, Hulk Hogan, the Undertaker—all these deities—and then ditched the company without making anyone else a star.
Then he came back, and despite a loss to John Cena in his first match back, far surpassed those prior grand accomplishments.
He may have never had any plans to come back to WWE, but by God, it was the best decision he’s ever made.
John Corrigan
Latest posts by John Corrigan (see all)
- Corrigan’s Corner: 20 Years at the Wells Fargo Center - October 10, 2016
- Corrigan’s Corner: 10 Most Ill-Advised Returns - October 5, 2016
- Corrigan’s Corner: 15 Greatest Second Acts - September 26, 2016
