As the Royal Rumble approaches each year, there are always superstars that fans really want to see, both on the current roster and from the past. This year is no different, with fans and superstars alike speculating on the likes of Kurt Angle and Kenny Omega as possible entrants.
But, let’s be honest. There are also plenty of superstars that folks really don’t want to see come down the ramp for one of the 30 spots in the Royal Rumble match. Now, most of these aren’t because the superstar isn’t good in the ring. In fact, jobbers can be a lot of fun in the Rumble. But these five men each come with their own reason why we wouldn’t want them in the match.
Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash has won championships in various companies and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015. For sheer size alone, he’s also still a formidable figure, so it makes complete sense that the WWE would turn to him as a Rumble entrant, and they have.
But due to his well-documented history of leg injuries, watching Nash try to move around is painful at times. Also due to injury and age, we know that Nash isn’t in the match for a serious run, so it’s just a wasted spot when there are so many younger, talented guys to put in the mix.
Batista
Batista has often gotten an unfair shake in the WWE, especially with regard to fan response, and that was never more evident than during his last major run with the company. The 2005 and 2014 Rumble winner, Batista endured a bad reception as he clinched a spot in the main event at WrestleMania 30 with his most recent win in the event.
For that reason alone, it would not be a good idea for him to be an entrant in the Royal Rumble for the foreseeable future. The fans would just boo him relentlessly, and Batista has shown recently that he’s in no mood for criticism these days.
Tyler Breeze
Plenty of fans want to see good things for Tyler Breeze, so this might seem like an odd choice, but read before you pass judgement. This selection is in no way saying that Tyler Breeze isn’t talented. In fact, he’s on this list because he’s just too talented for what his assignment would be.
Given his recent booking alongside Fandango, there’s little reason to believe either of the “fashion police” would be booked to do anything significant in the Rumble. In fact, it’s more likely that Breeze would get bounced quickly, and he doesn’t need that kind of bad mojo at this point in his career.
Great Khali
Khali has been away from the WWE since late 2014, and it’s probably best he just stay away at this point. A former world champion, Khali had been limited to losing roles as his career in the company approached its end, often in battle royal scenarios.
Quite frankly, the WWE has passed athletes like Khali by. The days when a lumbering 7-footer could carve a niche for himself in pro wrestling have seemingly come to an end, so there’s no reason to bring him in just to be out-done by the likes of Big Cass and Baron Corbin.
Daniel Bryan
Put down your pitchforks; Daniel Bryan entering the Royal Rumble is a bad idea for a couple of reasons.
First and foremost, he retired from in-ring competition for a very important reason, his health. Head and neck injuries are nothing to play around with, and a brief spot in the Royal Rumble isn’t worth risking something unfortunate happening.
On top of that, we’ve already seen what can happen when fans get upset about Bryan’s role in the match when they essentially ruined the 2014 and 2015 Rumble matches over it. The WWE would be best served leaving him in a GM role to avoid that happening again.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
