5 AEW stars who would be great surprise entrants in the WWE Royal Rumble

With WWE Royal Rumble right around the corner, adrenaline is running high in the wrestling community. The Rumble Match usually takes up a lion's share of the show's runtime, featuring a line of talented wrestlers from start to finish. While not all the participants have been announced, some superstars like Rey Mysterio, Dolph Ziggler, and Randy Orton have been confirmed to take part in the fray.

Surprise entrants to the Rumble have always been a heated topic of speculation, and things are no different this time around. Fans were surprised when current IMPACT Knockouts World Champion Mickie James was announced to take part in the match as well. This is a rare instance where WWE has acknowledged a rival company as James had joined the promotion after getting released by WWE.

This has made many in the wrestling community question the possibility of an AEW representative entering the fight. It's worth remembering that AEW was reportedly in talks with WWE for an upcoming project a while back. A surprise entrant from AEW would possibly be a win-win for both the promotions regardless of their competitive nature. Here are five AEW stars who'd be great surprise entrants in the WWE Royal Rumble.

---

#5. Sting would be a great addition to the Royal Rumble

While Sting was handled quite poorly during his time in WWE, he has found his footing in Tony Khan's promotion as a mentor to Darby Allin. The Icon hasn't been a part of much in-ring fighting, but it's clear he has been booked to near perfection despite being a tricky character to handle. His mere presence at ringside is generally enough to elevate the show.

Sting's WWE run was rather unremarkable compared to his TNA career. The veteran wasn't given his due importance during his feud with The Authority. But it's hard to argue that his debut in WWE wasn't an electrifying moment.

An appearance in the Royal Rumble would bring out the same reaction, if not more. Sting's role will have to be handled with care since the aging veteran would prefer to avoid taking hard bumps. The WCW veteran would be welcomed with open arms for possibly his last WWE run.

#4. Mark Henry would be a great addition to the Royal Rumble

While talking about Royal Rumble, Mark Henry's name is bound to come up. The veteran's role in AEW has been limited to responsibilities other than in-ring fighting. He initially joined the company as an analyst for Rampage but has found himself in multiple positions, acting as an announcer and backstage interviewer at times. Henry has also been heavily involved with AEW's community outreach programs.

Although he left active in-ring fighting a while back, Henry did state back in 2021 that he wanted one final match. He was fit enough for a comeback into the ring, which never happened. Fans would be highly pleased if Mark's final appearance is at the 2022 Royal Rumble.

Mark Henry would be well received back in WWE. Being a Hall of Famer would be another point to elevate his status in the Rumble Match and make for an adrenaline-pumping return.

---

#3. Matt Hardy would be right back at home in WWE Royal Rumble 2022

While Matt Hardy has had a good run in WWE, his story in AEW is vastly different. Leading the Hardy Family Office, the 47-year-old veteran has a lot of screentime. However, that doesn't seem to help his inability to connect with the audience. This struggle has also hurt his following, resulting in him being far away from the frontline of Tony Khan's roster.

Despite all that, fans still fondly remember Hardy Boyz in WWE. Vince McMahon could capitalize on nostalgia and bring in Matt Hardy as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble Match. Fans will receive the veteran with thunderous applause.

#2. Cody Rhodes appearing in Royal Rumble would be well received

The AEW community was surprised to learn that Cody Rhodes is currently a free agent. The TNT Champion has been working without an official contract for several weeks after his deal expired at the end of 2021.

Even so, Cody Rhodes is still the AEW Executive Vice President. As such, The American Nightmare is still All Elite. He's still a staple of AEW and has been a part of matches even after his contract expired.

Cody Rhodes' WWE run was a major part of his career, even if he couldn't achieve as much as he'd hoped. However, it makes sense that Rhodes would be the bridge that connects AEW and WWE.

An appearance in the Royal Rumble by Cody Rhodes would cement the working relationship between the two rival companies, which would be a win for both Tony Khan and Vince McMahon. Of course, the former TNT Champion is a big enough name to garner respect from both promotions.

#1. Jon Moxley would get massive applause if he appears in the Royal Rumble

Jon Moxley recently recaptured enormous momentum after his recent return. It's undeniable how much the former AEW Champion has transformed in just three months of rehab. Moxley hasn't commented on whether he's changed his diet or exercised more, but the change in his appearance is undeniable.

Considering how Moxley looks to be in great shape for another AEW title run, it'd be a good idea to have him represent AEW in the Rumble. The former AEW champ has an extensive history in WWE. Furthermore, having gone through rehab, he represents much more than a typical wrestler.

There's no doubt that Jon Moxley would receive one of the biggest reactions if he's featured in the Royal Rumble Match. The former WWE star will bring back a lot of memories if he gets to face his old partners Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. It remains to be seen if the AEW star will get a chance to fight in a WWE ring.