It’s the comeback we didn’t know we needed. After leaving the NBA for wrestling once and then stepping away from his secondary sport too, Dennis Rodman is making a return to the ring. The AEW has announced this unexpected comeback by the former NBA champion. This isn’t his first rodeo. He’s had multiple appearances in wrestling promotions both in and outside the ring. He’s even got a championship belt to complement his NBA championship rings.

The first time he entered the ring, ‘The Worm’ made quite a splash. It’s been 15 years since he was last in the pro-wrestling world but the hype around Dennis Rodman is still high. You can anticipate his AEW appearance is going to be just as dramatic as his new tattoos.

Dennis Rodman’s wrestling history at a glance

In 1997, then Chicago Bulls star, Dennis Rodman won his fourth of five NBA championship titles. That same year, he was cementing his presence in pro-wrestling. He had multiple appearances in WCW from 1997 to 1999. In that period, he won his fifth championship with the Bulls and competed in three wrestling matches.

That was also the year he first teamed up with Hulk Hogan, then the most visible face in the pro-wrestling business. The combination didn’t win against Lex Luger and the Giant, but it made a memorable match.

‘Dennis the Menace’ had a chance at redemption the following year. He teamed up with Hogan again for the Bash at the Beach 1998. Fellow NBA great, Karl Malone was his opponent with Diamond Dallas Page. Interestingly, Malone had just lost to Rodman in the NBA finals, and he lost again in their wrestling bout too.

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He’d lose in his third WCW bout in 1999 without Hogan by his side. He’d competed in more matches and even on Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling, a reality show in 2008. That was his biggest success in wrestling.

Rodman has a chance at redemption

Say what you want about Dennis Rodman, the most flamboyant athlete is a formidable opponent in any arena. He proved that in 2008 with his longtime friend, Hulk Hogan.

Training and competing in the WWE Hall-of-Famer’s reality show, their friendship shone through the series. Completing a series of challenges, Rodman made it to the finals. He defeated his nine celebrity competitors to win the championship belt in 2008. While he couldn’t stage a return to the NBA, his wrestling comeback went better than anticipated.

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That was his last wrestling foray until now. AEW announced on September 1 that Rodman will return for a special on Bulls turf. AEW Collision will air live from the United Center in Chicago featuring the basketball Hall-of-Famer. Rodman’s comeback airs on September 2, 8 pm EST.