5 former Royal Rumble winners that could win again in 2022

Several stars can claim to have won the Royal Rumble on multiple occasions. Triple H, Randy Orton, John Cena, Edge, Shawn Michaels, and Stone Cold Steve Austin have all won the bout more than once.

Outside of Austin and Michaels, most of those wins were spaced out over several years. Michaels won in back-to-back years (1995, 1996). Austin was victorious in 1997, 1998, and 2001.

Many male and female stars could feasibly win the 2022 Rumble match. Returning performers like Asuka could be favorites, while Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair are top stars.

Sheamus and Rey Mysterio are both former winners who could technically win. The same goes for Orton, part of a tag team heading into the Rumble event. If Seth Rollins loses to Roman Reigns, he can enter the match as a favorite.

For those unaware, stars that lose in the title matches can enter the match. Reigns did so in 2017 after losing to Kevin Owens earlier in the night. Here are five former winners of the Royal Rumble that could win this year's match.

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#5. Asuka can return and win Royal Rumble 2022

Despite being out of action since Money in the Bank 2021, Asuka is a good contender to win the 2022 Rumble. She already has a Rumble win under her belt after winning the 2018 edition. Some recent reports suggested that she may return to action this weekend.

After several unfortunate injuries and roster cuts, both brands need a new beginning. While RAW is in much better shape, SmackDown could use the talents of Asuka as she has a history with the top stars of the blue brand.

WWE has been reluctant to push many of the new stars on SmackDown. It could be because Aliyah and Xia Li are still green compared to others in WWE. Shotzi is the furthest along, but she already received a shot at Charlotte Flair and lost.

SmackDown desperately needs more women, so Asuka could easily return this weekend and win. She'd be the first two-time winner, a record Flair cannot claim.

#4. Rey Mysterio won the 2006 Royal Rumble

Dominik Mysterio entered Royal Rumble 2021. Since then, he's continued to work alongside his father, Rey.

Some tension has recently been teased between the Mysterios. It could be the impetus for a feud between father and son. Will Rey's urge to win another Rumble supersede his relationship with his son?

Rey has had shots at both Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns over the last few years. His son was used during both angles. While he isn't exactly an overwhelming favorite this year, Mysterio could pull off a shock win.

He's still popular and has been putting forth great matches since rejoining RAW. Rey is a future Hall of Famer, and a second Royal Rumble win will put him in special company.

With uncertainty surrounding the winners of both major title matches, Mysterio is an official entrant in the match. The stars who lose those title matches will be catapulted to the top of the favorites list. Mysterio could still pull off a shock win again this year.

#3. Bianca Belair could join the back-to-back Royal Rumble winners club.

While she won the 2021 Royal Rumble, Bianca Belair is a favorite to win again. She also set the record for the longest time spent in a Women's Rumble match but could break that mark this year.

Despite losing her title at SummerSlam, Belair has still been booked around the RAW and SmackDown title pictures.

In a triple threat to determine Becky Lynch's challenger for the event, Lynch interfered to take Belair out of the match. It protected the EST of WWE while foreshadowing a future program with Big Time Becks.

Winning a second Rumble would be tough but possible for Belair. Stars like Asuka, Bayley, Rhea Ripley, and Alexa Bliss are likely to be in the match. They will provide Belair will have several obstacles to overcome.

Belair is one of the top women in WWE and she has already competed in the main event at the Show of Shows. Due to history with both current Champions, Belair could certainly earn another Rumble win.

#2. Randy Orton would return to the main event with a third Royal Rumble win

A rematch for the RAW Tag Team titles has not been announced for the Royal Rumble. That would allow Orton to focus on winning a third Rumble match.

The Viper is still one of the top stars in WWE, but he and Riddle have continued to work for a rematch against Alpha Academy. After "winning" the Spelling Bee, the teams will compete in a Scooter Race next week.

Orton's last taste of the WWE or Universal Championship was when Drew McIntyre held the WWE title. Since then, Orton has been a part of one of the most entertaining partnerships in wrestling.

It might be time for RK-Bro to split ties. One easy way for that to happen would be if Orton wins a third Royal Rumble.

He and Riddle could still be allies. It might only be a matter of time, however, before the Viper strikes Riddle again. That would put Orton back in the title picture.

#1. Charlotte Flair will "pick" her opponent if she wins the Royal Rumble

Charlotte Flair will enter the Royal Rumble as Champion and pick her WM opponent if she wins again. She first won the match in 2020.

After so many title programs in her career, the Queen challenged Rhea Ripley for the NXT title. Since it was WM, Flair won the NXT Championship.

Because of her constant presence in title pictures, the bookers have put themselves into a corner with Flair as Champion. It would be easier to book her if her title shots were fewer and only happened every other year or so.

Had she spent more time away from the RAW and SmackDown Women's titles, they wouldn't have had to invent new challenges for her to conquer. She'd still be the most decorated woman in WWE history.

Stars like Bliss, Ripley, Bayley, Liv Morgan, and others could use the Royal Rumble win more than Flair. The Queen is still one of the top women in WWE, so she could still win her second Rumble.