5 returns we must see at Royal Rumble 2017

30 years since the annual tradition first began, The Royal Rumble remains the favourite pay-per-view for many WWE enthusiasts. The sheer exhilaration of the clock counting down to zero, and the anticipation of who the next entrant will be; have been enough to keep us on the edge of our seats, year after year.

In 2017, The Royal Rumble heads to the legendary Alamodome in Texas. Yes, we believe that with the capacity 60000+ audience that WWE is expecting at the venue, it is the ideal platform for many superstars to make their big stage return. If these men do not return for this grand occasion, it may be an opportunity lost for WWE.

This countdown names 5 men who should return at next year’s Royal Rumble in January, with one honourable mention as well.

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#5 The Undertaker

This is the safest match for Taker to be part of

The Undertaker looked like he was in great shape when he made his return to Smackdown. However, we do know that he had to undergo hip surgery not so long back and a full-fledged match may be out of his comfort zone right now.

A Royal Rumble match allows him to make a dominant entrance, and get eliminated in a safe manner, to maybe set up a Mania feud. Maybe even win the entire match like he did exactly ten years ago (also in his home state of Texas).

We don’t know how many Wrestlemanias The Undertaker has left in him. If this will be his last then he deserves to main event the pay-per-view that he has helped carry on his legendary back for many, many years.

#4 Brock Lesnar

If Goldberg has been confirmed, the Beast must confront him once more

Last week on Raw, Bill Goldberg announced that he was the first entrant in the 2017 Royal Rumble.

This was the night after he squashed WWE’s most dominant superstar- Brock Lesnar in 1 minute and 26 seconds at Survivor Series 2016. We know that The Beast won’t take this lying down. Lesnar can be a big ticket player at the Alamodome which the WWE would desperately require, considering that 60000 tickets need to be sold.

The Goldberg- Lesnar contest is the most talked-about feud in WWE at the moment, and a continuation of this rivalry is a must. Not only do we think that Brock Lesnar needs to be a part of the Royal Rumble; we believe that it’s almost a certainty that he will.

#3 John Cena

First stop on his road to 16 world titles?

Smackdown seems like the B-Show without John Cena’s presence. It’s actually gotten so deprived of stars, that James Ellsworth now main events the show on an almost weekly basis.

While we do know that John Cena has other commitments outside WWE right now, we also know that he’s likely to pick up his 16th title win at Wrestlemania 33 this year. There’s no better way to make his big WWE comeback than for it to be at the Royal Rumble.

Like him or hate him, Big Match John is a big name and he sells tickets. Like Dave Meltzer mentioned in the latest edition of ‘Wrestling Observer Radio’, even the House show attendance numbers have gone down since Cena went on his hiatus.

Whether or not he actually wins the Rumble is another matter. But we wouldn’t mind seeing him stare down The Undertaker, potentially setting up a Wrestlemania match. Hopefully, for the title!

#2 Finn Balor

Finn Balor may just go on to win the whole thing if he returns

There is probably no new superstar that WWE has as much invested in, as Finn Balor.

Sadly, his injury at Summerslam had put Finn out of commission for many months. But considering that WWE put the Universal Championship on him, 27 days after his call-up; Finn Balor is definitely the next big thing for the company.

Imagine if the lights go out, and Balor emerges as the Demon King, at the Royal Rumble!

We expect Balor to not lose any of the momentum that he had going into Summerslam, and to continue his dominant reign once he is back. Royal Rumble certainly is the ideal stage for him to be unleashed again!

Honourable mention: Samoa Joe

This is the perfect stage for Joe to prove his dominance

While this won’t be a return but a debut instead, there is nothing left for Samoa Joe to accomplish in NXT. As the top heel in the developmental company, he has been adding star power to every Takeover special; but his talents can be better utilised on the main roster.

If Joe were to make his debut at the Royal Rumble and eliminate a bunch of wrestlers in one go, it would establish him as a force to be reckoned with.

Joe’s call up would come at a time when WWE seriously needs good workers in the upper mid card/main event spot. However, we understand that this won’t be a return, but a call-up. So, let’s move on to the others!

#1 Shawn Michaels

20 years after his legendary match, will Michaels return to The Alamodome again?

Most wrestlers do not keep in shape after retirement. However, Shawn Michaels looked like a million dollars at Wrestlemania 32, when he joined Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mick Foley to beat up The League of Nations. Ever since then, fans have wanted him to return to the ring.

What makes us believe that the Royal Rumble may be the stage for his return is the fact that Shawn Michaels beat Sycho Sid in 1997 at the Alamodome to become the WWE champion before more than sixty thousand fans. Moreover, San Antonio, Texas is where Michaels is from!

AJ Styles has been spreading rumours about a clash between him and Michaels, arguably the two best in-ring workers of all time. While that match is a distant possibility, the two men can face off in the ring giving fans a ‘mark out’ moment.

Shawn Michaels has also won two Royal Rumble matches in the past. Will Royal Rumble 2017 be his third? Only time will tell!

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