Part of the allure for a Royal Rumble match is who we get to see outside of the main roster. Surprises, returns, NXT talent, everyone and anyone can show up!
Below will be a list of surprises we at Diva Dirt will want to see at the Royal Rumble on Jan. 27. Please note these picks are subjective and also they will not include any current roster members. So this will NOT include those out with injury (Liv Morgan, Sonya Deville, Dakota Kai) or those who haven’t been on TV for a while (Trish Stratus, Jade Cargill, Tamina). This will solely be those who aren’t not signed and are back for just a Rumble appearance or perhaps a new run.
Now of course we do not expect all of these names to be in the Rumble, it is just names we would like to see.
Mickie James
If it takes Triple H in control of creative and her husband Nick Aldis as SmackDown General Manger to get Mickie a successful run and huge push in WWE then so be it. Mickie is a legend, despite how her last run with WWE went and especially how it ended. Currently, Mickie is considered a free agent so this choice is wildly possible.
Also, with Trish still technically on the WWE roster, lets have a run back of Mickie vs. Trish at WrestleMania. The title doesn’t need to be involved and it would certainly be a huge match. Jump on this opportunity!
Naomi
Out if everyone that will be on this list, Naomi now seems the most likely to be in the Royl Rumble. This would also be her return as it has been reported that she will be wrapping up her time with TNA at the Orlando tapings mid-January.
WWE is her home. And what better way to have this homecoming then have her win this and go on the WrestleMania? Her taking on either Rhea or IYO seems like a treat.
Layla
Layla is on this type of list every year. And personally, I will continue to put her on this list every year.
As a former multi-time champion and a member of one of the most popular women’s tag teams in LayCool, we need a Layla appearance. We’ve seen Michelle McCool multiple times and although she has been around the industry more, we need her partner. This choice isn’t one expected to have a run such as Mickie or Naomi, but she is a name that could be HOF potential.
Layla is the final OG WWE Women’s Champion and one of only five women who have held both the OG Title and the Divas Title.
Let’s put some Divas in the Rumble!
Lita
Lita has been in a couple of Royal Rumbles in the past, but this one is needed to finish the story. Back in last April, Lita was set to defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles with Becky Lynch. However, she was attacked by her best friend/long time rival Trish Stratus backstage. Stratus would take her spot in the championship match but would lose to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.
Lita has been off TV since and although not an official member of the roster, she can return to get her revenge.
Giulia
This is more of a long shot, but with all the rumors of her signing with WWE, a Rumble appearance to introduce Giulia would be great. Of course she will likely go through NXT when/if she signs, but it would be a way to show that she indeed is joining the company. It would be a nice tease as they were doing with Jade Cargill.
Maryse
Can you believe that Maryse has never been in a Rumble match? Me neither. She’s always a crowd favorite, she is on frequent enough to be relevant to the crowd, and she is a former two-time champion.
Plus who wouldn’t want to hear Maryse’s music hit after a countdown
Eve Torres
Much along the same lines as prior Divas, Maryse and Layla, Eve Torres needs to make a Royal Rumble appearance. For this one I feel is a little different for at least me personally. I have always felt that Eve left right at the height of her career. When she was looking the best she has ever in the ring. And although I would never expect another run, a Rumble appearance would make me and I am sure a lot of Diva fans happy.
Plus, Eve has kept very low key since her time in the company despite still being listed as a WWE Ambassador since 2014. She has appeared on Table for 3 with Kelly Kelly and Maryse in 2017, presented a Slammy to The Bellas in 2013, and appeared in the pre show of Evolution.
She was most recently seen at Raw Reunion in 2019 in a backstage segment with Maria, Mike Bennett, and Eric Bischoff. Eve also appeared in the ring at the end of the show with other Legends.
Her making an appearance would certainly be a surprise.
AJ Lee
You didn’t think I wasn’t going to include her, did you? In fact, she needs to not only make an appearance but get the Trish treatment and come out at number 30.
AJ Lee is a pioneer during the Divas era and much like Eve was a three time champion. There’s not much to say besides her resume speaks for itself and if you want to get one of the loudest pops in women’s rumble history, this is it.
Plus having CM Punk back is a green light for her to at least make an appearance.
Let’s Light It Up!
What surprises would you like to see in the Rumble? Comment below!
