5 surprise entrants we'd love to see in the women's Royal Rumble

To close out the December 18, 2017, episode of Monday Night Raw, Stephanie McMahon announced that what had been rumored was coming to fruition. There would be the first ever women’s Royal Rumble, complete with the winner getting a title shot at WrestleMania.

This innovation is a testament to how far women’s wrestling has come in WWE, given that the promotion has enough talent to reasonably pull off such a match, and enough legitimate talents to make the match a draw. The addition of the Absolution and Riott Squad factions has only added depth and intrigue to the proceedings.

At press time, it’s unknown if the Rumble will feature the traditional thirty performers, or rather a trimmed down fifteen, twenty, or another arbitrary number. Whatever the case may be, it will be an all hands on deck situation. There’s reason to believe WWE may tap into a Rumble trope and include not just full-time roster members, but all surprise competitors, including returning or debuting talents.

Which surprise entrants would truly pop the crowd? This article looks at five particularly compelling options.

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#5 Kharma

A returning Kharma would represent all kinds of interesting possibilities.

Kharma could make instant history as the first person to work both the men's and women’s Royal Rumbles. (For the record, Beth Phoenix is the only other woman who could possibly do it, but appears legitimately retired, and happy in motherhood).

Granted Kharma’s previous WWE run was nothing if not tumultuous. An unexpected pregnancy stopped her debut push before it really took off. Reportedly, she tragically lost the child and wasn’t ready to return to the ring on the timetable WWE set forth, leading them to part ways.

Nearly six years have passed, and with the WWE women’s division booming, Kharma could be a fascinating addition. She represents size on the scale of Nia Jax, with much more experience and sharper skills as an in-ring performer. The Royal Rumble would be the perfect environment to really showcase the raw power and flurries of offense she brings to the table.

#4 Michelle McCool

McCool's entry would be a fun throwback, and the foundation is there.

In a fun bit of social media stirring up the rumor mill, 2017 saw Charlotte Flair engage with former Divas Champion Michelle McCool on Twitter about having one more match.

While McCool wasn’t necessarily a talent on par with the best and brightest female stars of today, she was one of the best workers and characters of her day, particularly as half of the wicked heel duo, LayCool. While there are those returning talents for whom WWE would need to worry if fans would actually recognize them and react, McCool was well established enough for the company to be confident in the reception she’d receive. All in all, it would truly be something for McCool’s “one more match” to come at the first-ever women’s Rumble.

While some alums are far-fetched for a return to WWE, McCool being married to The Undertaker doesn’t hurt matters. If she truly wants back in the ring, there’s little doubt WWE would give her the chance, if only as a nod of respect toward the Dead Man.

#3 Trish Stratus

Trish Stratus would get a big reaction as a surprise entrant.

When it comes to icons of women’s wrestling for WWE, few stars can compete with Trish Stratus. She evolved from just another pretty face valet into one of the all-time best female in-ring performers WWE had—particularly in years prior to the current era.

Stratus was a terrific face, and arguably an even better heel. On top of all of that? She’s that special talent who legitimately retired in her prime, still more than capable of physically going in the ring, as evidenced by the handful of one-off return appearances she has made in the years to follow.

One of the more intriguing parts of Stratus as an entrant is that she could immediately be a legit contender to win the match to set up an inter-generational dream match against Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Sasha Banks, or another tip-top star of today. In so doing, Stratus may well become the first female part-time superstar, working a limited schedule along with the lines of talents like Triple H and The Undertaker, or on a short-term deal like Goldberg or Chris Jericho have in recent years.

#2 Alison Brie

Alison Brie isn't the most likely Rumble guest, but after the success of GLOW, it's conceivable.

This is the most out of left field pick for this article. For folks who don’t know who Brie is, she’s an established actress who played memorable roles in shows like Community, Mad Men, and most recently Netflix’s GLOW.

Brie has never wrestled an actual match. She did, however, go through fundamental, limited wrestling training with Chavo Guerrero so that she could play the lead in the wrestling themed streaming show. Moreover, Brie was one of a number GLOW cast members who, after the success of the first season, visited backstage with WWE.

Brie doesn’t really have any business in a WWE ring and certainly shouldn’t be considered to win the first women’s Rumble. She could, however, work in a fun comedy role akin to Drew Carey’s Royal Rumble appearance. Moreover, this guest appearance could mark a win-win situation for WWE and Netflix as WWE could take credit for the celebrity guest performer, while GLOW could reach out to a larger wrestling audience.

#1 Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey could electrify not just the Rumble but the whole women's division.

Rumors have abounded over the last two and half years that Ronda Rousey is WWE bound. The idea really started getting traction at WrestleMania 31, when Rousey actually did get in the ring to assist The Rock in fending off Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a promo segment.

After Rousey lost back to back MMA fights, and her retirement from the UFC octagon became a likelihood, the scenario seemed all the more likely. Then Rousey went so far as to appear in the crowd at the Mae Young Classic and joined the Four Horsewomen of MMA in a face-off with the Four Horsewomen of NXT.

Word is that Rousey is training for pro wrestling now. Given her level of stardom, she’d be a knockout surprise entrant in this year’s Rumble. All the better, a late entry to the match and a dominating victory could set her up as a fascinating scenario for WrestleMania. In her heyday, Rousey was a huge PPV draw for UFC. In 2017, she could still very well be the lightning rod WWE is looking for.