The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble is likely to feature some surprise entrants in the men’s and women’s Rumble matches.
Among the surprise entrants could be a number of former NXT Champions making their returns to the company.
Here are five former NXT Champions who could enter the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble.
5. Paige
Becoming the inaugural winner of the NXT Women’s Championship back in 2013, Paige would go on to make history as a two-time WWE Divas Champion as well.
While she retired from in-ring competition before her time with WWE came to a close due to injury, she would later return to action in AEW as Saraya in 2022.
Since departing AEW in March 2025, fans continue to wonder if there could be a return from Paige on the horizon.
With the return of Nikki Bella in the 2025 Royal Rumble and the return of AJ Lee later in the year, perhaps Paige will be the next Divas era icon to arrive in the Royal Rumble.
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4. Keith Lee
Picking up both the NXT Championship and the NXT North American Championship in 2020, Keith Lee is a former NXT star that fans continue to hope will return to action soon.
Recently responding to fans’ persistent inquiry about the likelihood of his return, Lee offered a new detail that has encouraged his Limitless fans.
Back in September, Lee responded to a fan noting: “I’ll take a moment to reassure you that a return to the ring will certainly happen. Though I won’t posit how or when.”
Last appearing in AEW in December 2023, Keith Lee’s current contract status is not clear but if he were to make a return in the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, he would certainly be met with delight.
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3. Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler)
Despite being an established main roster talent for over a decade, Dolph Ziggler did also have a notable run as NXT Champion back in 2022.
Capturing the title by beating Bron Breakker and Tommaso Ciampa in a triple-threat match in NXT, he would successfully defend it against Breakker and LA Knight before losing it to Breakker on the Raw after WrestleMania 38.
Currently working in TNA Wrestling under his real name Nic Nemeth, there was recently a brief return of Dolph Ziggler to WWE.
Entering the Last Time Is Now tournament to determine the last opponent for John Cena, Ziggler returned to WWE for a match against Solo Sikoa at Madison Square Garden in November. Clearly still beloved by fans, perhaps Ziggler will could pop up again in the Royal Rumble.
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2. Indi Hartwell
One potential re-signing WWE could make is former NXT Women’s Champion and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, Indi Hartwell.
After being released from WWE in November 2024, Indi Hartwell competed for several indie promotions before making her return to TV via TNA Wrestling.
Having popped back up during the recent crossovers between TNA and NXT, it would seem that WWE fans have not forgotten about Indi Wrestling.
Someone that could potentially reach higher heights after returning to the company than she did on her last run on the main roster, Indi Hartwell is still a star to watch for.
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1. Karrion Kross
In what could be a fun surprise in the 2026 Royal Rumble, the return of former NXT Champion Karrion Kross.
While Kross departed WWE under interesting circumstances, he has not ruled out a return to WWE in the future.
If Kross were to make a return at the Royal Rumble 2026, even for only a one-off appearance, certainly there would be a section of the fanbase that petitioned ‘We Want Kross’ that would be pleased with the development.
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