During, I think, his last WWF comeback, Davey remarked that he sensed that a lot of the guys had pegged him for a has-been who was WAY PAST HIS PHYSICAL PRIME and hanging on for dear life to a business that had passed him by.
He claimed that everyone was nice to him backstage, but more as a sign of respect for his past accomplishments.
Then he climbed in the ring to warm up.
After a few handsprings, etc., people’s attitude changed as they realized that, not only was he serious about this, but he still had it.
Stu Hart once said something to the effect that, when he's in shape, nobody can put on a show like the Bulldog.