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It's January, so the main focus on WWE TV is the upcoming Royal Rumble pay-per-view. This event is the first official stop on the the Road to WrestleMania 37.
In just three months, WWE will present its biggest show of the year, but the annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view sets the tone for The Showcase of the Immortals. Plus, this show is typically a highlight of the WWE year.
The Royal Rumble has become famous for the delivering some surprising returns and/or debuts. The event allows WWE to bring back some legends for one-off appearances or launch some major returns.
Last year's huge surprise was the return of The Rated-R Superstar, Edge. He entered the Royal Rumble Match after he spent nine years on the sidelines due to a neck injury. This year, many fans are expecting to see more major surprises at the show.
Here are just five outlandish Royal Rumble entry predictions, and each one of them has the potential to stun the fans.
#5. Brock Lesnar returns as part of the WWE Men's Royal Rumble Match
Brock Lesnar is expected to return ahead of this year's WrestleMania show. Many fans think he'll Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship, and this bout would be a rematch of their unforgettable clash at WWE WrestleMania 36.
Lesnar hasn't been seen on WWE TV since McIntyre defeated him last year. Naturally, he should seek revenge on the man who dethroned him. The easiest way for "The Beast Incarnate" to ensure that he gets a championship rematch is to win the upcoming Royal Rumble Match. Lesnar won the match in 2003, and he could repeat this feat in 2021.
Reports have suggested that Lesnar is remaining on the sidelines until live fans can return to the arena. It's hard to blame him, as a star of Lesnar's caliber probably expects to compete in packed arenas.
As of this writing, it's likely that the ThunderDome will once again used for the Royal Rumble. The WWE Universe has not been allowed to return to the company's shows, so Lesnar's absence could continue.
#4. Paige returns in the WWE Women's Royal Rumble Match
Former WWE Divas Champion Paige missed out on her chance to compete in the first Women's Royal Rumble in 2018 because she was recovering from an injury. She was later forced to retire from in-ring competition.
The British star has been used as a general manager on WWE SmackDown, but she has been absent from WWE programming for a few months now. It seems like Paige's wrestling career is over, but many fans hope she'll compete in the Women's Royal Rumble Match this year.
Of course, Paige retired due to a neck injury. But WWE could carefully give her a brief moment in the spotlight in the Royal Rumble Match.
The recent returns of Daniel Bryan and Edge, who both suffered from serious neck injuries, make it seem like anything is possible. Many fans remain hopeful that Paige will return, even for a small spot in this bout. That way, one of the pioneers of the Women's Evolution could finally compete in the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
#3. Tyson Kidd returns in the WWE Men's Royal Rumble Match
Tyson Kidd hasn't stepped into a WWE ring since June 2015. During a dark match on Monday Night RAW against Samoa Joe, Kidd suffered a career-ending neck injury. A botched Muscle Buster forced him to retire from his career as an active wrestler. But the injury could have paralyzed him, so Kidd was fortunate that his retirement was the worst consequence of this botch.
Kidd is currently working behind the scenes as a producer for WWE. But last year, Natalya leaked several videos of her husband running the ropes and stepping back into the ring. Since then, fans have wondered whether Kidd could compete in a match.
Of course, those rumors have faded away, as Kidd hasn't returned to the ring. But this month's Royal Rumble match could be the perfect time for him to get back in action.
It's unknown whether the former tag team champion has been cleared to make his in-ring return. But Natalya's videos show that he's able to perform the basics. Though the Royal Rumble Match has several moving parts, it could be the ideal time for Kidd to return and make a statement.
#2. Eva Marie makes her return in the WWE Women's Royal Rumble Match
There have been rumors over the past few months that state that Eva Marie is set to make her WWE return in the near future. Marie has been training at WWE's Performance Center. She is reportedly listed as an internal member of the roster, though she hasn't appeared on WWE programming yet.
It was believed that Marie could make an appearance at WWE RAW Legends Night this past week, but that didn't happen. Of course, a few years ago when WWE presented RAW 25, Lita didn't appear on the show. WWE held off on this appearance because Lita was a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble Match. Marie could follow a similar path.
If Eva Marie wants to make an impact and show how much she has improved in the ring, the Royal Rumble Match is the perfect place to do so. WWE stars like Bayley could make her look like a great competitor.
"The Red Queen" wasn't the most popular female wrestler during her original run with the company, but hopefully she can prove her doubters wrong this time around.
#1. Zack Ryder returns to WWE in the Men's Royal Rumble Match
WWE surprisingly released Zack Ryder in April 2020. He had been with the company for more than a decade. During his time with the company, Ryder wo a few titles, including the WWE Intercontinental Championship. But he was a victim of some budget cuts. After his departure, Ryder made several appearances for All Elite Wrestling.
Ryder appeared under the name Matt Cardona, but his run with AEW was a short-term deal. He is no longer contracted to AEW, so he could return to WWE at some point.
Cardona's fiancée, Chelsea Green is currently part of WWE's main roster, and she made her debut on WWE SmackDown last year. Naturally, Ryder has a strong reason to return to WWE if the company wants him to.
The former WWE United States Champion was always a popular star with the WWE Universe. Many fans were upset when the company decided to let him go. For this reason, even a one-off return for The Royal Rumble match at the end of the month would definitely light up The ThunderDome.
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