'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE Royal Rumble 2021 is set to go down this weekend, and a few potential surprises at the event have become the main topic of discussion lately.
In the ThunderDome era of WWE, some top-profile Superstars may choose to sit out the upcoming Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
This year, ten or more names could return at the Royal Rumble. As a matter of fact, some of the entries in this list are a part of those rumors as well. At the same time, it is important to remember that WWE often creates speculation to gauge their fanbase's reactions or mislead the fans on purpose. So not all Royal Rumble rumors come true at the event.
With that in mind, let's take a look at five top WWE Superstars who could miss the 2021 Royal Rumble.
#5 Superstar who could miss the Royal Rumble - WWE Legend Kane
Kane wrestled his most recent in-ring match alongside The Undertaker against D-Generation X at WWE Crown Jewel 2018. In 2019, Kane briefly won the 24/7 Championship from R-Truth on RAW, only to lose it to the latter star on the same night.
The Big Red Machine hasn't wrestled in an actual in-ring match since the aforementioned Crown Jewel event. However, Kane is still listed under the SmackDown tab of WWE Superstars on WWE's official website, even to this day.
In 2020, Kane made two noteworthy appearances on WWE TV in a non-wrestling capacity. His most recent appearance for the promotion happened during The Undertaker's final farewell at WWE Survivor Series in November.
There has been no speculation when it comes to Kane's potential plans at the upcoming Royal Rumble event. If The Big Red Machine does eventually show up during the Men's Royal Rumble, it would come across as a well-kept surprise. However, there doesn't seem to be a major upside to Kane's potential return for the viewers, apart from a temporary pop for the returning legend.
Given the lack of speculation and purpose, it seems unlikely that The Devil's Favorite Demon will return during the multi-man match at the upcoming pay-per-view.
#4 Superstar who could miss the Royal Rumble - 16-time WWE World Champion John Cena
John Cena's last WWE match occurred at WrestleMania 36, where he fought Bray Wyatt in a surreal Firefly Fun House match.
Cena's Hollywood aspirations seem to be his main focus at the moment. But that doesn't rule out a WWE return for the Leader of the Cenation, and he has been rumored to appear at WrestleMania 37.
WrestleVotes recently reported that John Cena is nearly locked in to make an appearance at the Grandest Stage of them All.
WWE fans have also speculated about John Cena's potential return at this year's Royal Rumble, but it is quite likely that he may not appear at the event.
John Cena is set to star in James Gunn's 'Peacemaker' series. The show has started production, and filming will reportedly last until June 9, 2021. Being in the Royal Rumble puts Cena at a huge potential risk of getting injured, which may jeopardize the series' production schedule.
This doesn't mean that Cena won't appear on WWE TV over the next few months. He may return for promos and segments next month or ahead of WrestleMania in March. Then again, 'Super Cena' could overcome the odds and come back this weekend.
But with all factors considered, John Cena's Royal Rumble return rumors seem a little too good to be true compared to reports of other Superstars who could potentially return this Sunday.
#3 Star who could miss the Royal Rumble - 2018 WWE World Cup Winner Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon isn't exactly the first WWE personality that comes to mind as far as top title stars are concerned. However, Shane-O-Mac has always managed to become one of the most discussed figures ever since his 2016 return.
Whenever Shane McMahon returns to the ring, it is considered a huge deal nowadays. Shane-O-Mac came up with the short-lived concept of RAW Underground last year. More recently, he was also a part of The Undertaker's final farewell at WWE Survivor Series 2020.
Out of all the stars that are being rumored to make a potential return in the 2021 Royal Rumble match, Shane McMahon's name doesn't really belong on that list. Moreover, what could be Shane's possible motivation to enter the Royal Rumble match at this stage of his career?
It seems as if Shane McMahon has transitioned into more of an authority figure over the years. Shane-O-Mac could return to the ring at a future date, but this year's Men's Royal Rumble match doesn't seem like the most opportunistic stage to bring him back as a wrestler.
#2 Superstar who could miss the Royal Rumble - Former WWE RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch is currently taking several months off as a WWE Superstar, since revealing she was pregnant last year.
On December 4, 2020, Lynch gave birth to her and Seth Rollins' first daughter, named Roux. It's only been several weeks since Lynch gave birth, and rumors already predict that she may enter the Women's Royal Rumble this weekend.
One can see the possibility of Lynch entering the match to take just a few bumps, but would there be much point in the absence of a live crowd? Strategically speaking, WWE could schedule her return at a later date, so that The Man can take some more time to rest and then return in a less crowded environment on the Road to WrestleMania.
Becky Lynch's WWE return at this Sunday's pay-per-view would be a miraculous and newsworthy moment. But with all the involved factors, it is best not to jump to conclusions based on rumors ahead of the upcoming pay-per-view.
One can make a much better case to bet on someone like Rhea Ripley, whose current scenario indicates that she could legitimately enter the Women's Royal Rumble this year, and win.
#1 Superstar who could miss the Royal Rumble - 14-time WWE World Champion Triple H
Triple H recently returned to wrestle a match against Randy Orton on WWE RAW. The Game's 2021 return was an impromptu decision made when Drew McIntyre had been afflicted with COVID-19.
Triple H vs. Randy Orton ended in no-contest, thanks to a surreal interruption from Alexa Bliss. If The Game made his WWE return recently, it seems on the surface that he could very well take part in the Men's Royal Rumble match.
However, the Triple H that everyone knows today is a changed man. Over the years, The King of Kings has strengthened his overarching position in WWE NXT. Triple H's main goal is now to build towards the future of WWE, which is why there is very little reason for him to enter the Royal Rumble. An NXT star could benefit from taking up his Royal Rumble spot instead.
The recent bout between Triple H and Randy Orton ended on a cliffhanger, and one may frame that as a potential motivation for The Game to enter this year's Royal Rumble match. However, Orton already has a lot of enemies (Alexa Bliss, Bray Wyatt, Edge) to watch out for at the event, which only diminishes Triple H's potential agenda, compared to other stars who are also looking for revenge against The Viper.
While Triple H can enter a feud on the Road to WWE WrestleMania 37, his presence in this year's Royal Rumble match doesn't make a lot of sense and we will most likely see The Game enjoying the match from backstage, as opposed to actually competing.
A WWE Hall of Famer called out AEW fans HERE
