Believe it or not, the year 2022 is just a few weeks away and that means the Royal Rumble is in sight. Starting in 2018, the women of WWE have had their own Rumble match and in 2022 the fifth one will take place.
Earlier this year at the 2021 Royal Rumble event in January, Bianca Belair kicked off her best year in WWE yet when she won the Royal Rumble match. This led her to WrestleMania where she became a history maker and won her first championship within WWE in the process.
Belair proved that winning the Royal Rumble can propel someone to a great year with that accomplishment. The winner of the 2022 Rumble match could follow this same formula but the Rumble match is also known for returns and surprises. Below are five women who may make their return during the rumble match.
Alexa Bliss
Alexa Bliss has been off WWE programming since Extreme Rules in September where she lost in a RAW Championship Match against Charlotte Flair. After her loss, Bliss’ doll Lilly was destroyed by Flair hinting that once Bliss comes back she may be going a new route with her gimmick.
It has been reported that Bliss has been out due to personal reasons including needing sinus surgery. The original report of her being out of action was said to be for a “few months” as a timeframe. With the Royal Rumble still being just under two months away on Jan. 29, this return could be plausible.
She recently responded to a fan on social media about her status saying she needs time to heal.
Bliss has participated in three Royal Rumble matches.
Lacey Evans
Lacey Evans is another name who could make a return in the upcoming rumble match. Evans has been off television since February when she announced her real-life pregnancy. She gave birth to her second child in October. Her last storyline involved a rivalry with Charlotte Flair as she was alongside Ric Flair. She was set to take on Asuka for the RAW Women’s Championship at the 2021 Elimination Chamber event which had to be canceled due to her pregnancy.
Regardless of whether Evans is ready to make a full-time return or not, an appearance doesn’t seem out of the question.
Evans has participated in two Royal Rumble matches.
Kairi Sane
This one is probably the biggest longshot as a return, but Kairi Sane could very well make a Royal Rumble appearance. Sane departed from WWE in July 2020 as she moved back to Japan. Although she hasn’t been in the ring since Sane is still an Ambassador for the company. She did Japanese commentary for 2020’s Hell in a Cell event.
Her in-ring career may have just been shy of four years but in that time she became the first Mae Young Classic winner, she won the NXT Women’s Championship and she was a WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Asuka as one half of the Kabuki Warriors.
Just last week, Sane posted on her social media an emoji of an hourglass. This has caused fans to start speculation that she may be making a return.
Sane has participated in three Royal Rumble matches.
Bayley
Perhaps it is too early for a return, Bayley would receive a warm welcome if she were to show up in the 2022 Rumble match. Bayley has been out of action since right before Money in the Bank in July. She was set to continue her feud with Bianca Belair in perhaps the final chapter as they were slated to participate in an “I Quit” match.
Bayley’s injury to her ACL, which required surgery, came during training at the WWE Performance Center which was categorized as a “freak accident.” In most cases, ACL injuries normally have talent out for the very minimum of nine months which is what WWE officially announced. Seeing as January isn’t a full nine months, this return may be unlikely but would be very welcoming to see.
As a Grand Slam Champion, Bayley is one of the most decorated wrestlers on the WWE roster, a Royal Rumble win is one moment she has yet to accomplish.
She has been active on social media during her time away.
Bayley has participated in three Royal Rumble matches. She started at number one in the 2021 match and lasted nearly 30-minutes.
Asuka
Asuka may be the most likely to make her return from this list in the Royal Rumble match. The Empress of Tomorrow, much like Bayley, has done it all. But one thing she has done that Bayley hasn’t is winning the Royal Rumble match. She was the first woman to win in 2018 during the star-studded event.
Asuka’s last match was Money in the Bank in July where Nikki A.S.H. won and went on to become RAW Women’s Champion. Since then, she has been out of action at the end of August she confirmed on social media she had dental work. She showed that she had her arm in a sling at that time as well signaling she is out with an injury as well.
Could Asuka return and become the first-ever two-time women’s Royal Rumble winner?
Asuka has shockingly only been in one Royal Rumble match due to being booked in championship matches the past three years. She entered in the 25th spot and eliminated three women.
UP NEXT: Eight past WWE Divas who could make a 2022 Royal Rumble appearance.
Who out of this list would you love to see return at the Royal Rumble in January? Join the discussion below!
