3 Legends who might make a surprise appearance at Royal Rumble in 2019

The most exciting WWE PPV event of the year, Royal Rumble is fast approaching as 2018 comes to close. The 32nd edition of Royal Rumble promises to be an exciting show given the current booking directions and possible match-up's. The Universal Championship is going to be defended for the first time by Brock Lesnar (during his second reign) at the PPV against Braun Strowman. The other championship matches are not yet announced at this time.

Analyzing the current booking on Smackdown live we may see a new challenger for the WWE champion Daniel Bryan at the event in the form of Mustafa Ali or AJ Styles may get one more opportunity. There is still air of uncertainty around the challengers' for both Women's champions. Seth Rollins will in all likelihood challenge Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental Championship.

The regular main roster participants of the Royal Rumble match will be announced periodically in the coming weeks. As always WWE will be looking to amuse the WWE universe by bringing back some of the legends to compete in the Royal Rumble match. Last year we saw the return of Rey Mysterio and in 2017 we witnessed Goldberg taking part in the match. Also, legendary female superstars, Trish Stratus and Lita were part of the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match last year and are expected to make an appearance this time around as well.

Here are three superstars who might make a shocking appearance at the upcoming Royal Rumble PPV:

Honourable mentions - Goldberg and John Cena

#3 The Undertaker

The last time Undertaker had entered the Royal Rumble match was in 2017 and he did not make an appearance in this year's event. In 2017 he had an iconic showdown with returning Goldberg during the match before he was shockingly eliminated by Roman Reigns. This was used to set-up the main-event of Wrestlemania 33 in between Roman Reigns and The Undertaker.

In the same way, WWE might utilize Undertaker during the Royal Rumble match and then set-up a match for him at Wrestlemania 35. Possibly WWE might book a rematch between John Cena and The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 35 as their previous encounter last year felt a bit rushed and fans did get to witness a full-fledged match between the two legends.

Also, younger superstars like Finn Balor, Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins can also possibly benefit immensely by sharing the ring with the Deadman at Wrestlemania 35. WWE's mission to improve its ratings might also lead them to bring back the Undertaker for a few Raw appearances in the lead up to Royal Rumble event.

#2 Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels recently came out of retirement when he competed in a tag team match at the Crown Jewel PPV in November against the Brothers of Destruction in a rather forgetful encounter. He performed some of his vintage moves with utmost ease during the aforementioned match-up.

However, he was not the same wrestler as he was back in 2010 as age seems to have caught up with him. He confirmed after his returning match that he was open to working a few more matches in the future.

This has lead to speculations of him facing several top wrestlers of WWE today like Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, and Seth Rollins. Even some rumors have surfaced that Shawn Michaels vs The Rock is a possibility for Wrestlemania 35.

Out of all the possible match-ups, Shawn Michaels may face either Daniel Bryan or AJ Styles in the near future as these plans have been heavily rumored over the last few years and now that HBK has returned to in-ring action it is quite possible to book them.

He might enter the battle royal and then set-up a dream feud with any of the above-mentioned superstars or he may even shock the entire universe and win (very less likely) the Rumble and then go on to face the WWE or Universal champion at the show of immortals.

#1 The Rock

The people's champion was deemed as an early favourite to win the 2019 Men's Royal Rumble match during the aftermath of Summerslam in August this year. The reasoning behind this speculation was that the Rock would win the battle royal and then go on to face the former Universal Champion Roman Reigns in the main event of Wrestlemania 35.

But with Roman Reigns unfortunate hiatus from WWE due to health issues, the initial Wrestlemania plans involving Reigns and the Rock seem to have been shelved. Brock Lesnar has managed to regain the Universal Championship after the Big dog relinquished it.

Brock Lesnar vs The Rock was initially planned for Wrestlemania 30, but the plans got cancelled due to Rock's injury issues. There is a possibility now after five years for this match to come into fruition.

If not for challenging Universal Champion the WWE can always use the people's champion for stabilizing the prevalent rating's issues it has been facing in the recent times. They can have him compete in the Royal Rumble and then set-up a marquee match with any other superstar during the course of the match.