When wrestlers return to WWE after an absence, most prefer to stick to how they were when they left. That works out a lot as many were still pretty over with fans and know coming back in a familiar character or look is helpful. A few may do a minor alteration like change the hair and maybe a face/heel turn, but otherwise, it's a "don't rock the boat" policy that works out.
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But other workers can return to WWE looking so different that it's as if they're another person. It's not just the physical change of having a bigger physique or such. They can have a new attitude or character so much different from when WWE fans last saw them. Some changes are more successful than others, but these ten WWE stars made returns much unlike how they'd been before to show some changes are good.
In the late 1970s, Superstar Billy Graham was unlike anything seen in wrestling. His reign as WWE Champion was notable for his physique, his loud promos, tie-dyed shirts and blond hair.
After a few years away, Graham made a return after rumors he'd passed away. It was with a different look, shaved bald, black pants and a martial arts repertoire. This didn't lead to as much success for him this time around, but it was daring to see the Superstar changing one of the most influential acts ever in his second run with the company.
With classic babyface looks of a handsome blond worker, Dan Spivey had a few shots in WWE in the late 1980s but nothing too big. Spivey bounced around for a while, including a WWE stint before making a wild return in 1995. Waylon Mercy was a creepy cult figure inspired by Robert DeNiro's Cape Fear character.
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His promos were terrific, Spivey looking freaky with his black hair and build to impress folks. Sadly, injuries cut this promising act short, which is too bad as Spivey could have become a bigger star with it.
As Demolition neared the end of its time in WWE, Ax was fading in health, so was replaced by the larger Crush. He kept it up until 1991 before heading to Portland for a while. In late 1992, Crush returned, dropping the Demolition makeup for blond hair and more muscular.
That got him a big push as a face before turning heel on Randy Savage with a return to makeup. He later became part of Kronik in WCW for a brief return as part of the Invasion to continue showing how he'd change from his Demolition days.
Sean Waltman was a skilled light heavyweight worker who became famous as the 1-2-3 Kid. Despite a heel turn, he still came off as a punk guy who was quiet on the mic. He left to briefly join WCW but made a grand return in 1998.
He seemed tougher, more assured, with longer hair, a grizzled attitude and soon clicking with DX. It was less physical than in his character that Waltman transformed into a top star, putting the "Kid" aside to become a true top-level performer for the Attitude Era.
Drew McIntyre had the looks of a star in WWE, but fans didn't take to him as the "Chosen One." He sunk to working with 3MB and little wonder he was released. In TNA, Drew built himself up as a more serious star and when he returned to WWE, it was with a bigger physique and a new killer attitude.
That first led him to the NXT Title and then to the main roster, paying off with his run as WWE Champion. Drew remains a player in the main event scene, a huge difference from where he was a decade ago and paying off at last on his promise.
Scott Levy had a brief stint in the early 1990s WCW as Scotty Flamingo. In WWE, he was changed into Johnny Polo, an arrogant preppie with a polo mallet in hand. He was also a manager for tag team champions The Quebecers with some commentary.
After leaving in 1994, Levy transformed into Raven, the brooding goth star of ECW and WCW. He returned to WWE in that persona in 2000 for a few years, not at the same fame level but still vastly different from the cartoonish manager he had once been for the company.
Easily one of the most drastic transformations of a worker ever, Jinder Mahal had been a decent midcard guy but never got a big push outside 3MB. Most fans barely paid attention when he briefly left WWE and no one expected to hear from him again.
They certainly didn't expect to see him looking amazingly jacked up and muscular with a harsher attitude. That led to his surprise elevation from the midcard to WWE Champion as Mahal's change completely turned him around from a joke to a long-term champion.
Back in 1993, Scott Steiner was a highly skilled athlete pulling moves few could imagine. He and brother Rick held the WWE Tag Team Titles and Scott looked great, albeit a bit bland in character. After becoming a main eventer in WCW, Steiner returned in 2002 as "Big Poppa Pump."
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He had a much bigger physique, short blond hair and now a marvel on the mic with his wild talk. Sadly, his wrestling skills had deteriorated, leading to a disastrous feud with Triple H and out of WWE fast, so this transformation hurt Steiner's second WWE run.
In early 1991, Dusty Rhodes was at the tail end of his tenure in WWE but still tried to give son Dustin a shot. While showing promise, Dustin was still pretty green, looking bland next to his famous dad.
After a few years getting better in WCW, Dustin made a stunning return so different that most fans didn't even know who he was at first. With the painted face, bizarre mannerisms and overall aura, Goldust was much different from Dustin leading to his biggest success yet with this wildly different look.
So far, the biggest return for WWE in 2022 has been Cody Rhodes. Years after his leaving the company and helping establish AEW, Cody made a grand return to face Seth Rollins at WrestleMania and, despite injury, has been doing well.
It shows his change from a dark-haired cocky jerk to a cool main event level talent. There's also the physical changes from hair to that tattoo, but also a better ring set and attitude to showcase Cody's great evolution to the star most thought he'd be.