In his latest, PWP Nation’s Caden Moran lists five potential surprise entrants in the men’s Royal Rumble match
With the Royal Rumble event just three nights away, it is time to begin our speculation about who could make a surprise appearance in the ever so popular, men’s Royal Rumble match. In the past we have seen former WWE stars such as Rob Van Dam and The Hurricane make a shock return for one night only. We have also seen hints of the future shown as NXT stars had an opportunity to showcase their talents on the main roster such as Adam Cole, Andrade, Bo Dallas, and Rusev. Now, with the professional wrestling world more exciting than it has ever been, we could end up seeing anybody fighting for a championship match at Wrestlemania. These are five potential surprise entrants for this years Royal Rumble match.
Honorable Mentions:
EC3
EC3 has been seen backstage a couple times during Monday Night RAW and will soon make his official main roster debut. After spending a few months in NXT, EC3 is destined to make an impact (no pun intended) on WWE’s main roster. What better way to debut the “Top 1%” than to give him the ultimate showcase during the Royal Rumble match?
I would not be shocked to see the former TNA World Heavyweight champion make his official main roster debut this Sunday.
Batista
When Evolution returned during the 1000th episode of Smackdown Live, former WWE and World Heavyweight champion Batista went on to put over the three other members of the faction before turning his attention to Triple H. Batista went on about all the great things Triple H has done in his career and what he continues to do in today’s WWE. Batista said that Triple H had defeated everyone possible, except for him. This led to a tense confrontation, with a loud crowd response, before the two laughed it off and embraced.
Batista in this weekends Royal Rumble match seems very unlikely. However, if a Batista vs Triple H match is to happen in the future, possibly Wrestlemania, it would be best to have “The Animal” make his in-ring return this Sunday. Will it happen? Probably not.
One can dream, though.
#5 – Kenny Omega
I know what you are probably thinking seeing Kenny Omega’s name on this list. You are thinking I am either crazy, delusional, or straight up stupid. However, it is still a possibility. With the former IWGP Heavyweight champion’s future in question due to the formation of All Elite Wrestling and the possibility of him re-signing with New Japan Pro Wrestling, it is very unclear about what move Omega will make.
If Kenny Omega is to make the move to WWE, which, in my personal opinion, is where I believe he belongs, then it would make the most sense to have him debut the same way AJ Styles did: in the Royal Rumble match.
I understand that it is very, very unlikely, but, it is not the most outrageous suggestion.
#4 – The Rock
Yeah. You totally think I’m a complete and delusional idiot. Much like Omega, however, it is not the most far fetched prediction. The Rock currently has the sixth best betting odds to win the Royal Rumble match, and when you consider the possible reason as to why he would win, it does make sense.
In 2018, The Rock’s cousin and former WWE Universal champion, Roman Reigns, announced his leukemia had returned and he had to take time off. With Brock Lesnar now holding the big red belt once again, The Rock could easily win the Royal Rumble match and go to face Brock Lesnar.
It would not be the first time WWE turned a real life injury, sickness, or death into a story-line. With Roman on the shelf, we could see The Rock win this Sunday and turn his rivalry with Lesnar into a tribute for Roman Reigns’ honor. It sounds crazy, but it would not be the first time.
#3 – Velveteen Dream
As I mentioned at the top of this list, we have seen NXT stars showcase their talents for one night only during the Royal Rumble match. If there is going to be any NXT guy to do that this time around, it should, and very well could be, Velveteen Dream.
Velveteen Dream is currently a star in the making and he has recently gone on Twitter to say that he will not wrestle until “people” recognize his talent and skill. Dream has been vying for a call up to the main roster ever since NXT Takeover: Brooklyn 4 when he wore custom tights that read “CALL ME UP, VINCE”.
Velveteen Dream claims he is withholding his talents until he is recognized. What better way for people, especially Vince McMahon, to recognize the Dream than putting him in the ring for a number of the very best? There is not a better way.
#2 – Lars Sullivan
If there is any surprise appearance in the Royal Rumble match that should happen, it is Lars Sullivan.
Lars Sullivan has been advertised to be called up to WWE’s main roster since Survivor Series. Though he has not been seen since, he seems to be very close to his inevitable debut. Sullivan was reportedly supposed to make his main roster debut weeks ago to set up a match at Wrestlemania with John Cena. That did not happen due to an alleged panic attack from Lars Sullivan.
With Lars’ original plans scrapped, it could very well clear a way for him to make his main roster debut this Sunday in the Royal Rumble match. Having Lars in the match could give him a strong showing and could make him a strong focal point on RAW or Smackdown for the Wrestlemania season.
#1 – Bray Wyatt
Where the hell has Bray Wyatt been? Ever since the team of Wyatt and Matt Hardy lost their rematch for the RAW Tag Team titles in July, we have not seen Bray Wyatt on our TV’s. However, on November 25th at the Starrcade event, Wyatt made his return against Baron Corbin to a very strong ovation. Since that night, Wyatt has not been seen.
Bray Wyatt is clearly set to return to WWE television soon and with Wrestlemania season right around the corner, why not have the former WWE champion make his way into the Royal Rumble match? It would be a nice surprise and it would be a fresh start for both Bray and RAW.
If there is going to be any surprise appearance from anybody on this list, it will be Bray Wyatt.
I am looking forward to this weekend of wrestling, especially the Royal Rumble. And, if any of the names on this list make an appearance in the Royal Rumble match itself, it will be a lot more fun to watch.
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