1) John Cena
— Royal Rumble 2008
Love or hate John Cena, his return at the 2008 Royal Rumble was arguably the most shocking in WWE History.
Cena was injured in October of 2007, tearing a pectoral muscle. He was stripped of the WWE Championship and expected to be out for 7 months to a year.
John Cena returned in under 4 months at the 2008 Royal Rumble, entering the match in the number 30 spot. It was something that took many fans by complete surprise. There were no rumors of his return and coming back from an injury of that nature in only 4 months was unheard of. Madison Square Garden erupted for this awesome and also shocking moment.
Cena would go on to eliminate Triple H and win the Royal Rumble match, earning himself a World Championship match in the process. Cena would subsequently go on to face Randy Orton and Triple H at Wrestlemania XXIV but came up short.
Even the Madison Square Garden audience (who love to boo Cena) lost their minds for his return. It was a shocking moment that will live in WWE history forever.
Let us know what you think in the comment section below. What are some of your favorite Royal Rumble surprises? If you enjoyed this, make sure to also check out our quiz on the history of the Royal Rumble match.
On a related note, check out the WWE Records That Will (Most Likely) Never Be Broken