5 Last-minute predictions for the Women's Royal Rumble: Returns, Eliminations, Winner

By Divesh Merani
Modified Jan 30, 2021 16:19 GMT
Bianca Belair (left); Alexa Bliss (right)
Bianca Belair (left); Alexa Bliss (right)

#4 The biggest surprise return in the Women's Royal Rumble Match is...

Eva Marie. After months of speculation of her hanging around backstage, the former Diva Search winner could make her WWE return in the Royal Rumble.

Marie might not be the greatest wrestler in the women's division, but a character like hers might shine on Monday Night RAW if booked well. She has not been on WWE TV since the summer of 2016 - the first few episodes of post-brand split SmackDown Live.

With that being said, there are many other potential surprise returns that could materialize in the Women's Royal Rumble Match. However, do not expect either Becky Lynch or Ronda Rousey to be there. Their returns might end up happening closer to WrestleMania, if they even come back this year. Instead, we could see some main roster stars returning from injury and a variety of NXT entrants.

Lana and Chelsea Green feel like safe bets to return at Royal Rumble, with either of them being good fits to start a tag team with Eva Marie depending on what brand she ends up on, and whether she returns at all. Other absentees from RAW and SmackDown, like Naomi and Mickie James, could show up as well.

There may be quite a few surprise entrants from NXT in this year's Women's Royal Rumble Match. A couple of them seem like locks, with Rhea Ripley particularly likely to show up in the ThunderDome on Sunday. She has done everything possible on the Black and Gold brand and hasn't been seen since her brutal Last Woman Standing Match against Raquel Gonzalez at NXT New Year's Evil.

Among the others, Kacy Catanzaro could wow the world with her mind-boggling athleticism at Royal Rumble once again while the likes of Shotzi Blackheart and Candice LeRae may appear as well. Every NXT entrant should have some form of story in this match, especially Ripley. After all, this could very well be her official main roster debut.