Scott Steiner Recalls Shock At Huge WWE Comeback Reaction

WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner has reflected on his return to the company in 2002, admitting he was surprised by the overwhelming reaction from the fans after an eight-year absence.

Speaking on Talk Is Jericho with Chris Jericho, Scott Steiner looked back on his dramatic comeback at Survivor Series on 17 November 2002. He made an immediate impact by attacking Matt Hardy and Chris Nowinski, with the crowd’s response reaffirming his status as a major star despite his time away.

“They played my music, I went out and just beat up Matt Hardy and Nowinski. Even Howard Finkel came up to me after and said, ‘Man, that was one of the biggest pops I’ve witnessed.’ I was actually fairly surprised that I got that response, and so I thought, ‘This is great, they don’t have to push me much because they already know who I am.'”

During his absence from WWE, Steiner became one of WCW’s top stars, establishing himself as a dominant force throughout the late 1990s. His return was highly anticipated by fans who remembered his unique charisma and imposing in-ring style. The explosive crowd reaction confirmed that Steiner’s larger-than-life persona had left a lasting legacy.

However, despite the strong initial impact, Steiner’s WWE run in the early 2000s failed to live up to expectations. He quickly found himself in a feud with Triple H, but the rivalry did not fully capitalise on his momentum.

While his second stint with WWE was brief, Steiner’s unforgettable return at Survivor Series remains a standout moment, showcasing the enduring popularity of “Big Poppa Pump” among wrestling fans.

Which WCW Match Did Scott Steiner Say He Knew Would Be Brutal?

Scott Steiner spoke about how he knew his WCW match with Bill Goldberg would be hard-hitting and brutal before it even happened. Steiner said that he and Goldberg had a lot of respect for each other due to them both being former college athletes and that due to their backgrounds, he knew that they would both be willing to deliver a hard-hitting matchup.

H/t to ITRWrestling.com