WWE’s annual Royal Rumble is one of the company’s most anticipated events of the year, setting the stage for WrestleMania as winners of the iconic match are guaranteed a championship match of their choosing on the Grandest Stage Of Them All.
Legends from the company’s past have served as surprise entrants in past years, with Cameron, Ivory, and Molly Holly all serving as surprises in last year’s women’s match. Other entrants from the company’s past included The Bella Twins, Mickie James, and Summer Rae, who were announced ahead of time.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, many performers have contacted management about being entrants in the 2023 edition of the match inside the Alamodome, but the company has been leaning away from Legends’ entrances in favor of more “non traditional surprises.” The report goes on to note that creative was not exactly sure what that edict meant and were soliciting pitches for such surprises.
Continuing, the report notes that the company has confidence in its current women’s roster with recent hires and call-ups from the past year, which could affect this year’s Royal Rumble in terms of surprise entrants. Last year, it was necessary to call in veteran performers due to the lack of female performers on the roster.
It’s also reported that Jason Cade and TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd) will be on hand to help produce the women’s match.
Cody Rhodes’ WWE Royal Rumble Return Was Announced Ahead Of Time As WWE Has Multiple Other Surprises In Store
Some fans were surprised when WWE announced that Cody Rhodes would be making his return from injury at the upcoming Royal Rumble as it was expected his return would be kept as a surprise for the show.
However, according to a recent report from WrestleVotes, the company’s decision to announce Rhodes’ return ahead of time came down to the fact that people assumed it was happening, but also that WWE is “more than pleased” with the other surprises it has lined up.
“Asked a source the reasoning behind Cody’s Rumble return being announced as opposed to a surprise… Source said it’s twofold, one being that nearly everyone expected it to happen already & two, source states they are ‘more than pleased’ w/ the other surprises that are lined up.”
Asked a source the reasoning behind Cody’s Rumble return being announced as opposed to a surprise…
Source said it’s twofold, one being that nearly everyone expected it to happen already & two, source states they are “more than pleased” w/ the other surprises that are lined up.
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) January 19, 2023
Speculation is already swirling about what these surprises may mean, with fans clamoring for the returns of such stars as Matt Riddle and his RK-Bro partner Randy Orton, who has been out of action with a severe back injury. Fans are especially hopeful for the return of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, as it’s speculated he could take on Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39 if the match is possible with his busy schedule.
Steve Austin, who returned to in-ring competition for the first time in 19 years at last year’s WrestleMania, has also fueled speculation with social media posts that show him in phenomenal shape.
A list of all confirmed entrants for the 2023 Royal Rumble can be found here.