Key Takeaways
- Superstars of wrestling have left and come back to the sport, often citing a love of the sport and personal connections with others in the business.
- Fans seem to embrace the return of these members with both excitement and nostalgia, and this creates an opportunity for an increase in viewership as well as new storylines.
- This repeating cycle of wrestling has shown us that the passion for wrestling does not just belong to the wrestler but rather can extend beyond a single career and business relationship.
For a long time, the professional wrestling industry has been known for bringing wrestlers out of retirement and back into wrestling again. No matter what is happening outside the ring, almost all wrestlers will find their way back into the ring, at some point, in the future. Vince McMahon has been one of the most remarkable examples of this; he has been a significant force behind many of the weekly television storylines. When a superstar comes back into wrestling, their return inspires and motivates thousands, if not millions, of fans around the globe, leading many fans and experts to guess who will be returning next.
The return of a wrestler isn’t just another opportunity for them to get back in the ring; it’s also an opportunity for them to help reinvigorate the wrestling business. The draw of the wrestling ring is huge. No matter how successful a wrestler has been outside the ring, they will always want to hold on to and reconnect with their fans and have as many great moments with them as they can.
The Blurring Line of Reality and Entertainment
Not only are those who have been wrestling their entire lives a part of this trend. Major names outside of wrestling are now competing to the wrestling ring. For example, Sylvester Stallone jumped into the ring as a wrestler in real life, rather than just in a movie or TV show. The crossover not only opens up opportunities for wrestling to reach a more diverse group of fans and audiences, but it also adds an element of unpredictability to a very traditional industry.
Why Do Wrestling Legends Keep Coming Back?
The reasons for returning to the professional competitive sports environment vary greatly from individual to individual among the elite level athletes who have returned. There are many components of returning to play that are common: the adrenaline rush associated with performing live, the emotional bond formed through performing before an audience, and the special relationship among fellow competitors in the locker room. For some athletes, the exhilaration of performing for millions of fans will never be duplicated anywhere else, while for other athletes, the possibility of creating a new legacy or mentoring the next generation is equally as motivating to return. In addition to the excitement and emotional connection created when competing, the athlete has an opportunity to develop a unique personal identity and develop a strong sense of community within their profession.
How Fans React to Superstar Comebacks
When an iconic professional wrestler returns to the ring, it is a big deal for professional wrestling fans. The rumor about a wrestler coming back creates tons of social media activity and creates an energized environment in the arena. This return also provides a connection between the younger generation of wrestling fans and older generations of wrestlers, because the older generation has something to cheer for, and the younger generation has something to cheer for as well. Additionally, the nostalgia and excitement felt by the previous generation of fans who remember watching this wrestler on television provide fans with a chance to express their excitement, which usually leads to higher rating and ticket sales for these iconic wrestling events. This illustrates the business behind these fantastic wrestling events.
What the Future Holds: Should Fans Expect More Returns?
With the long history behind this industry, it is reasonable to assume that many of these surprise comebacks have yet to happen and thus will be happening in the near future. There are a large number of retired or inactive superstars still loved by the fans and they will find it nearly impossible not to respond when called back into action by the WWE ring. The unpredictability of the wrestling business offers a unique opportunity for each returning superstar to enhance or rejuvenate existing storylines, feuds, and conflicts.
Conclusion
For many years, professional wrestling has seen wrestlers return to the ring after a long absence to fight again. Some wrestlers return out of passion for the sport, while others may respond to the fans or feel an electric connection to the professional wrestling business. No matter the reason, the connection between a wrestler and the industry will last for as long as the wrestler lives. Fans all over the world are excited about the possibility of seeing their favorite wrestlers return for another match. Anything is possible in wrestling, including the return from retirement, which very often is another chapter in the wrestler’s legendary career.
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