Last time, I discussed the return back in February 2011 of the Great One, The Rock. As great a moment as that was, though, it was always in the back of the minds of WWE fans that it would happen one day, even if it was only hopes rather than expectations. From Bret to Hulk, from Austin to Foley, almost every big name has returned, some several times, over the last few years. So, whilst the returns are a surprise, they aren't totally unexpected.
But things were different in 1992.
Back then, there wasn't an Internet which would give away one's comeback to WWE, months before they even leave the competition. The TV shows delivered little on a weekly basis, meaning that one wouldn't assume that a jaw-dropping event was always about to occur. And, whereas nowadays major stars usually end up returning, back then if a wrestler left, you would probably never see nor hear from them in WWE again.
Having said that, let's set the stage. It's the main event of WrestleMania VIII, and Hulk Hogan is having his "farewell" match with Sid Justice. It ends on a DQ (which I later discovered wasn't meant to happen, nor was Sid kicking out of Hogan's Legdrop) and Sid, Papa Shango and Harvey Whippleman are doing a number on the Hulkster. Who can save him?
Undertaker? Unlikely. Macho Man? He's celebrating winning the WWF Title. Roddy Piper? Hulk probably hadn't forgiven him for the Mr T rivalry in 1985. In fact, nobody comes to mind. No-one in the WWF seems likely to save the Hulkster.
But then some familiar music starts playing, and the Hoosier Dome, to quote commentator Gorilla Monsoon, "goes bananas!"
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, because he's running. And running very fast.
It's the Ultimate Warrior!
Warrior left the WWF after SummerSlam 1991 and hadn't resurfaced since. It was assumed he was gone for good; yet here he was at WrestleMania, coming to help Hulk Hogan. The fan who, by amazing coincidence, had a Bring Back The Warrior sign, was one of the thousands who exploded with joy upon witnessing the Warrior's comeback.
Warrior and Hogan quickly cleared house, and the fans cheered to wave goodbye to Hogan, and hello again to Warrior.
Well, that's what they thought on April 5, 1992. As it turned out, in a somewhat darkly comical twist, one year after Hulk's "farewell" and Warrior's comeback, WrestleMania IX in 1993 saw Hogan's in-ring return (and fifth WWF Title win), whilst Warrior had been fired months before.
In retrospect, there are a few other flaws to Warrior's appearance. Firstly, once the music began playing, Gorilla Monsoon blurted out "That's the Warrior's music!" before the Ultimate one had even appeared on-camera - which spoiled the surprise slightly. Secondly, Hulk was being saved from an unknown in Papa Shango, a miniscule manager in Harvey Whippleman, and a Sid Justice who himself would leave the WWF just a few weeks ago. So, not only was Hogan probably not in a great level of danger, within weeks it was like the moment never happened.
Finally, the Warrior who appeared at WM 8 was believed by many fans to be a different one to the man who left after SSlam '91, due to the numerous physical changes. I used to think that way, as if the WWF was like Corrie where characters are replaced every few years - but this wasn't one of those occasions, which genuinely led to rumours that the "real" Warrior was dead. Perhaps having the Internet nowadays to clarify wrestling-related matters is a good thing after all.
Warrior would return again in 1996 before leaving for good. Hogan left in mid-1993 for WCW, but returned to WWE in 2002, and several times since. And, whilst the Hulkster hasn't been on Raw in nearly four years, few will be surprised if he resurfaces in the near future.
But that's the point I'm making here: whether someone's working for the competition (Hogan), filming in Hollywood (Rock) or dancing on American TV whilst simultaneously performing in a band (Jericho), nowadays no-one can be absolutely sure that someone will never, ever return. In 1992, however, this wasn't a concern: nobody expected Warrior's return at WrestleMania VIII. And that's what made the Ultimate Comeback such a memorable moment.
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