The 2024 Royal Rumble is around the corner, set to take place this Saturday night in Florida with one man and one woman earning championship opportunities at WrestleMania.
The winners of each match will pick up the right to challenge for a title of their choice at April’s event, with fans already speculating who will come out on top and headline the show of shows.
CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and Gunther are among those expected to star in the men’s match, while the likes of Bayley and Becky Lynch are among the favourites to win the women’s Rumble ahead of potential bouts against Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley respectively.
Although all eyes will be on who will win the matches, there are often some surprise entrants in the bouts, from celebrities, to legends and returning stars.
Here, Mail Sport takes a look at some of the names that could feature at this year’s premium live event as the rumour mill goes into overdrive just days from the spectacle.
The WWE Royal Rumble premium live event will come around again this weekend from Florida
The event often features some shock appearances, such as the return of Edge in the 2020 men’s Rumble
Mail Sport have picked out some of the names that could make a surprise showing in this year’s event on Saturday
The Undertaker
The Dead Man hasn’t wrestled in WWE since 2020, when he beat AJ Styles and officially retired from in-ring action.
He has appeared sporadically since, clashing with LA Knight towards the end of last year in an engagement with the late Bray Wyatt, and later facing off against Bron Breakker in NXT.
While an appearance in this weekend’s Rumble match is unlikely, The Undertaker will be in town for the event, performing his 1 deadMan show in Florida the day after. Never say never…
Verdict: Unlikely
The Undertaker (right) will be in Florida for the Royal Rumble this weekend and could make a surprise appearance
He will, however, be hosting his 1 deadMan show the day after, suggesting he is unlikely to appear in the Rumble
Michelle McCool
Those that follow wrestling closely will probably know that Michelle McCool is the wife of The Undertaker. She too will be in town for the show.
Last year, McCool came out of the crowd to participate in the women’s Royal Rumble match, leaving her family behind when her music played and lasting nearly 14-minutes, having retired from wrestling in 2011.
With WWE having a smaller women’s roster than men’s, it’s not beyond doubt that she could have a short stint in the ring once again.
Verdict: Possible
Former superstar Michelle McCool entered the 2023 women’s Rumble as she was watching the match from the crowd
Having retired years earlier, McCool lasted nearly 15 minutes after jumping the barrier to take part in the match
Hulk Hogan
Although 70-year-old Hogan is long-retired, he shocked fans earlier this week when he teased an appearance at the Rumble.
‘The wildcard factor… you never know who’s going to show up,’ Hogan said in a 13-second package shared on WWE’s social media accounts.
‘You never know, I might have one left in me,’ he added.
Verdict: Unlikely
Hulk Hogan appeared in a social media video to promote the event and said he may have ‘one more’ left in him
Naomi
Naomi left WWE in dramatic fashion in May 2022, walking out of the company alongside Sasha Banks because of the way she was ‘talked to and handled’.
Highly-regarded as a performer in the company, her absence has been a miss to many, though she resumed her wrestling career recently in IMPACT as Trinity. She is, however, expected to be finished with the promotion following a short run.
It’s expected that she will return to WWE sooner rather than later now it’s under the stewardship of Triple H, and there may be no better way for that to happen than an appearance in the Rumble.
Verdict: Likely
Naomi, who walked out on the company in 2022 citing treatment she received, is expected to return soon
Sasha Banks
Banks hasn’t been seen in the company since walking out alongside tag team partner Naomi, though enjoyed a brief spell in New Japan-Pro Wrestling and Stardom as Mercedes Mone before an injury ruled her out of action for a length period of time.
She had been in talks to return to WWE, but was requesting a hefty salary, with the company and AEW seemingly playing a game of tug of war to secure her services.
Rumoured appearances in AEW have come to nothing so far, and, if she were to put pen to paper on a deal with WWE, the Rumble could be the time to bring her back.
Verdict: Possible
Sasha Banks also walked out on the company alongside Naomi, and has been in discussions over a return
She is believed to have also negotiated with AEW, however, and is said to have asked for a large salary
The Rock
Though The Rock seems set to face Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at this year’s WrestleMania, it’s unlikely he would do it via entering and winning the men’s Rumble.
It’s expected that the winner will challenge World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at the show of shows – be that CM Punk, Gunther, or someone else – with Reigns’ challenger decided in a more organic manner.
If that’s the case, The Rock almost certainly won’t be in the Rumble. But given his recent return and potential future, an appearance can’t be ruled out.
Verdict: Possible
An appearance in the men’s Rumble from The Rock can’t be ruled out given his recent return and expected match with Roman Reigns
Matt Cardona
The self-proclaimed ‘King of the Indies’ has changed a lot in terms of his act since leaving WWE in 2020, portraying a more bullish, aggressive personality on the circuit from the Zak Ryder WWE fans have been used to.
Married to current WWE star Chelsea Green, Cardona often references the company online and how proud he is of his wife, and has had a bit of fun on social media this week teasing an appearance, too.
On Tuesday, the former ‘Internet Champion’ uploaded a photo of a blackboard with the words ‘broski lol’ chalked on, with ‘broksi’ being a his former nickname during his time in WWE.
That said, it’s likely that if WWE were to book his return they would have by now, and any comeback would more-than-likely be a permanent one, with Cardona still advertising for booking dates online.
Verdict: Unlikely
Matt Cardona, formerly Zak Ryder, has teased an appearance at this Saturday’s event online
The ‘King of the Indies” character has changed dramatically since he was released by WWE
Kaitlyn
It appeared Kaitlyn, real name Celeste Bonin, had her Royal Rumble return spoiled by her stylist earlier this week, with an image of ring gear shared on social media captioned: ‘Just need to finish the jacket, but almost ready for the weekend!’ accompanied by Bonin’s Instagram handle.
Bonin, former Divas Champion, retired from wrestling in 2014 to return to the fitness industry, but came out of retirement in 2018 to join the independent circuit and participate in the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament.
Though she has not been active in the ring since, it seems her return has been spoiled and she may be in the women’s Rumble on Saturday.
Verdict: Likely
The stylist of former Divas Champion Kaitlyn appears to have spoiled her potential appearance and return online
Kaitlyn was thought to have called time on her career a number of years ago, but has been somewhat active in the ring since
AJ Lee
One of Kaitlyn’s former foes, AJ Lee, has been one of the most talked-about potential returnees ahead of the weekend.
Following real-life husband CM Punk’s shock return to the company last year, the door suddenly seems open for an appearance following years of a bad relationship between Punk and the WWE.
Punk has somewhat teased an appearance, with fans suggesting coded messages on social media could lead to Lee performing and the former WWE Champion informing fans his wife is well in his first weeks back in the company, but Lee turned her back on wrestling a lot time ago.
However, back in December, she shared videos of herself training with Punk. And in the same month, she posted a picture of her wrestling boots on social media with the caption: ‘Hello darkness my old friend’.
What could she be getting ready for?
Verdict: Possible
AJ Lee shared an image of her wrestling boots on social media following husband CM Punk’s return to the company
She also posted a video of her and Punk training in the ring despite calling time on her career a number of years ago
The former WWE star has long called time on her wrestling career but could be set for a shock return t his weekend
X-Pac
Unlike any of the other names mentioned in this list, X-Pac has addressed rumours of his appearance directly, playing it down on social media.
‘I can still go at the drop of hat, at least for a few minutes,’ he posted on X on January 12. ‘I can do all my kicks, except the one in the corner & I can do that again with a few weeks training.
‘I’m at least month away from taking my shirt off in public, so zero chance I’ll be in the Rumble.’
X-Pac has insisted that though he ‘can still go at the drop of a hat’, there is ‘zero chance’ he will be in the Rumble
The former star, however, is close friends with boss Triple H and makes occasional appearances in the company on a legends contract
When asked if he’ll wrestle again, he added: ‘Maybe one day soon while I can still do it without being a sad shell of my former self.’
We’re not buying it. Close friends with now-boss Triple H and making occasional appearances, signed on a legends contract, in the company, X-Pac has been heavily linked with a return, and don’t be surprised to see it happen.
Verdict: Likely