The Royal Rumble is almost always the best and most exciting pay-per-view of the year. Last year’s show was one of the best Rumble matches in years, with Drew McIntrye eliminating Brock Lesnar to win the bout.
The show also features the potential of some surprise returns in the respective rumble matches, and last year’s was also no exception with the surprise return of Edge after just shy of nine years out of the ring.
With the show less than a month away now, we’ve decided to formulate a list of ten people who could either return or debut as surprise entrants in the 2021 Royal Rumble matches this year.
What are your thoughts on the above feature? If you think we’ve left anyone out, then be sure to let us know in comments on Twitter or Facebook.
10. Eva Marie
It has been reported for the last few months that Eva Marie is going to be returning to WWE, with new reports even suggesting that the former NXT star was backstage at shows last month preparing for a TV return.
While some have speculated that she’ll align herself with Angel Garza when she does return to TV, a better time to have Eva Marie return could be during the women’s Royal Rumble match later this month.
Eva Marie might not have been famed for her in-ring work, but a surprise spot in the women’s Royal Rumble match could be a great way to have ‘All Red’ return to the company.
9. Carlito
Carlito was advertised for Raw Legends Night last week but didn’t end up appearing on the broadcast, and reports have suggested that he was never actually confirmed for the show, with feelers only sent out.
While he may not have appeared on the show, WWE could decide to give Carlito a call and ask for former United States Champion if he’d be interested in a cameo in the men’s Royal Rumble match later this month.
Fans seemed very happy on social media when it appeared as if Carlito would be appearing on Raw Legends Night, so WWE could decide to capitalise on this and have the former Superstar make a one-off appearance at the show.
8. Seth Rollins
Speaking of advertised returns that didn’t end up happening, Seth Rollins was promoted for the New Year’s Day SmackDown show, but WWE stopped advertising the former WWE Champion for the show and he didn’t appear on the broadcast in any capacity.
With just over three weeks until Royal Rumble, WWE could and probably should hold off on a Seth Rollins return until the pay-per-view to try and generate a big pop… from those watching at home.
Seth Rollins is one of the biggest stars in WWE right now, and the sort of name that the company would probably like to have return at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event.
7. Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley is not only someone who could make a surprise appearance in the 2021 Royal Rumble women’s match, but someone that could win the entire thing.
Rhea Ripley was defeated by Raquel Gonzalez on New Year’s Evil this week, and some reports have suggested that this is going to be the last time we see the former NXT Women’s Champion wrestle for the black and gold brand, at least for the time being.
Some have speculated that WWE may have Charlotte Flair win the Raw Women’s Championship over the coming weeks and defend it against Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 37 in a rematch from last year’s show, and the Royal Rumble could be a great way to set that match up.
Whether or not she is booked to win the match, Rhea Ripley appearing in the women’s Royal Rumble match this year should be a pretty safe bet.
6. Wade Barrett
Wade Barrett hasn’t wrestled in a WWE ring since the April 4th episode of Raw after WrestleMania 32, but the former Intercontinental Champion is currently on WWE’s book as an announcer for NXT.
Wade Barrett was a great fixture on the WWE roster from his debut with The Nexus in 2010 until he departed the company in 2016, and WWE could easily ask the former wrestler to step into the ring one more time for a spot in the men’s match later this month.
There have been no reports indicating that Wade Barrett is going to be in the match later this month, it is certainly wouldn’t be the biggest shock of the year if we see the Englishman make an appearance in the bout.
5. Melina
While Carlito was advertised for Raw Legends Night but didn’t appear, we did see former Women’s Champion Melina make an appearance on the show during alongside Lucha House Party.
A report emerged last year indicating that Melina would be returning to TV on a full-time basis, with reports suggesting she was being prepped for a run in NXT. However, Melina has strongly denied these reports.
With her appearing on the show last week, it’s entirely possible that the former champion appears in the women’s Royal Rumble for her first wrestling match since January 2020, potentially setting up a full-time run with the company.
4. Edge
As previously mentioned, Edge made a shock return in the 2020 Royal Rumble match after just shy of nine years out of the ring.
While a potential return at this year’s show would be certainly less impactful than his comeback at last year’s show, it would be great to see the former WWE Champion make his return from injury in the match.
It has been reported that Randy Orton and Edge will go one-on-one for the third time in twelve months at WrestleMania this year, and it seems like the Royal Rumble would be the perfect time to have Edge return and set the match up.
Reports suggested that Edge would be out for around eight months when he suffered his bicep injury back in June, so the timeline somewhat lines up to have the WWE Hall of Famer make his comeback at this month’s pay-per-view.
3. Tessa Blanchard
Tessa Blanchard left IMPACT Wrestling last Summer, and people immediately began speculating that the former IMPACT wrestler would be joining WWE.
However, we haven’t had Blanchard appear for WWE in any capacity since then, but some have speculated that WWE could have worked out a deal to have her debut as part of the women’s Royal Rumble match this month.
This is a bit of an out-there pick, and no reports are suggesting that Blanchard has even agreed to join the company, nevermind debut in the Royal Rumble match, but it certainly isn’t out of the realms of possibility that this does happen.
2. Brock Lesnar
It was reported by WrestleVotes last month that the current plan for WrestleMania 37 is for Drew McIntyre, Keith Lee and Brock Lesnar to have a triple threat match at the show for the WWE Championship.
If plans haven’t changed since this report was published, then there’s every chance that Brock Lesnar returns to TV for the first time since April 2020 as a surprise entrant in this month’s Royal Rumble match.
Not only is Brock Lesnar a potential surprise entrant for the match, but SkyBet have him at 6/1 to win the entire match, meaning it’s certainly not out of the realms of possibility that “The Beast” wins his second Rumble bout this year.
1. Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey shockingly debuted for WWE at the end of the 2018 Royal Rumble pay-per-view, and some have speculated that she’s going to return to the company after nearly two years at the show later this month.
WWE has just had Charlotte Flair return to TV, and some have theorised that this could be followed up by the return of Ronda Rousey at the Royal Rumble to set up a big WrestleMania match, something that WWE reportedly wanted to do back in 2019.
At this time, there is no word on whether or not WWE is actually planning on having Ronda back for the show, but SkyBet has her as a 7/1 favourite to win the match, meaning it’s certainly not out of the question.
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