The WWE Royal Rumble is renowned for its epic comebacks and surprising returns. Highlights include Mr. Perfect's impactful 2002 return, Christian's emotional 2021 reappearance alongside Edge, Rey Mysterio’s unexpected comeback in 2018,

For AJ, this Rumble contest was part of a fantastic 371-day reign as WWE Champion, and he'd thankfully have far greater title defences throughout that reign than this bland handicap offering. Of course, that lengthy reign would eventually be brought to a halt by a back-in-action Daniel Bryan later that year on a November episode of SmackDown.