Summer Rae is set for the Royal Rumble and this will be her first appearance in WWE since her departure in 2016!
During Friday Night SmackDown on Jan. 7, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair helped announce 19-women who will participate in the upcoming Royal Rumble match. In those names were 7 prior WWE Divas and Summer Rae was one of the unexpected surprises.
On her Instagram Story, Rae discusses her upcoming spot in one of the biggest pay-per-views of the year. She confirmed that her appearance was supposed to be a surprise but plans had changed. She explains how nervous she was to check on Twitter to see what the response would be. She has been gone from the company for several years and, well, people on social media are just mean. She was very elated that she has received an overwhelming response and everyone has been so nice.
“Okay, so obviously I can’t sleep. I’ve been on Twitter and I am so overwhelmed by the amazing response on Twitter by you guys. Oh my gosh, like, we weren’t even supposed to announce that I was going to be in the Rumble, it was going to be a surprise and then, I found out a couple of hours ago. So I was really nervous to look on Twitter, because people are mean, like, people just be mean on Twitter and the response — everyone was so nice. You guys have me in my feels. Everyone’s so hyped. I don’t know, I’ve just been gone so long that I didn’t know what the response would be like, I didn’t know if it’d be positive or negative and it’s just so good. Thank you so much. All my friends are being so supportive and just the fans like, WrestleTwitter’s just insane, and I’m just so excited, and now I’m happy that I don’t have to keep this a surprise until the end of the month.” [h/t – Fightful]
She also stated in a recent Q&A that she tried to steer people away from thinking she could be making a return.
“In my most recent Q&A, when I said ‘Oh, no, I have so much going on. I wouldn’t go back.’ I’ve known for weeks. Don’t sleep on me. I was playing. I was working y’all. It’s a work. Life is a work.”
Rae confirms that she is in the best shape of her life.
One can’t think about Ms. Summer Rae without thinking of her time on the reality show Total Divas.
In the slap that was heard around the world, Rae had a confrontation in front of Natalya‘s house where she slapped her. Instantly knowing that both Rae and Natalya will be in the Royal Rumble match this year, this has sparked a renewal of the rivalry on social media between fans and the two alike.
Along with Summer Rae, the following have been announced as surprise returns from prior WWE Divas – The Bella Twins, Lita, Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, and the IMPACT Knockouts World Champion Mickie James.
Current roster stars announced so far are – Nikki A.S.H., Rhea Ripley, Naomi, Aliyah, 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke, Women’s Tag Team Champions Carmella and Zelina Vega, Natalya, Tamina, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, and the SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
Come this Monday on Raw we will know who will face Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch for the red brand title. It will be either Liv Morgan, Doudrop, or Bianca Belair as they face off in a number one contenders match Triple Threat on Jan. 10.
The Royal Rumble is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 29. Check back in with Diva Dirt for all of your news, rumors, and results for the event.
