Last night at WrestleMania 41, Becky Lynch stunned the WWE Universe by returning after nearly a year away, her contract having expired on June 1, 2024. Despite declaring she was "not wrestling anymore" last week. That changed yesterday, as she teamed with Lyra Valkyria to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, electrifying fans in Las Vegas.
Lynch’s return mirrors the unpredictable drama of sports comebacks, particularly in Kentucky, where the Bluegrass State has seen its share of jaw-dropping returns. From basketball legends to football redemption arcs, here are the three most surprising returns in Kentucky sports history, plus an honorable mention that left fans speechless.
1. Rick Pitino’s emotional return to Rupp Arena
Few moments in Kentucky sports history are as surreal as Rick Pitino’s return to Rupp Arena in 2024 for Mark Pope’s introductory press conference as Kentucky’s new basketball coach. Pitino, who led the Wildcats to the 1996 national title, became a villain after leaving for the NBA and later coaching rival Louisville to a 2013 championship. His infamous gesture to UK fans as he walked down the tunnels at Rupp cemented his status as persona non grata. Yet, when he appeared to support Pope, his former player, Big Blue Nation erupted in cheers, a stunning reversal. Pitino’s presence, coupled with talks of a game between his St. John’s team and Kentucky, marked a reconciliation no one saw coming.
2. Hardley Gilmore IV’s redemption in Lexington
In 2024, Kentucky football wide receiver Hardley Gilmore IV seemed destined for a breakout sophomore season. However, when WR coach Daikiel Shorts Jr. was hired by Nebraska, Gilmore followed him and star receiver Dane Key to Lincoln. Shockingly, just months later, Gilmore was dismissed from Nebraska for undisclosed reasons and returned to Lexington. His reinstatement to the Wildcats roster was a plot twist that rekindled hope among fans, who see him as a potential spark for a struggling offense. Gilmore’s journey from Lexington to Lincoln and back is a testament to second chances in the unpredictable world of college football.
3. Mark Stoops’ defiant stand in 2025
After a dismal 4-8 season in 2024, with a 1-7 SEC record and blowout losses, including a humiliating defeat to Louisville at home, Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops faced a fanbase ready to move on. Attendance dwindled, and social media filled with calls for his firing. Yet, Stoops doubled down, declaring A lot of people want him fired, but he was not going anywhere. His decision to stay, coupled with a return to a run-heavy offense for 2025, has polarized fans. With a brutal schedule ahead, Stoops’ refusal to step down is a bold gamble that could redefine his legacy—or seal his fate.
Honorable mentions
Rich Brooks: After a 4-8 debut season in 2003, Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks followed it up with 2-9, 3-8 seasons. However, he was kept on and delivered 8-5 the very next year.
Becky Lynch’s WrestleMania return reminds us why sports are so captivating—because the impossible can happen. In Kentucky, these comebacks, from Pitino’s redemption to Stoops’ defiance, embody the resilience and unpredictability that keep fans glued to the game. What’s the next shocking return the Bluegrass State will witness? Only time will tell.