9 NXT Superstars who could enter the 2018 Women's Royal Rumble

With the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble fast approaching, Raw and SmackDown Superstars continue to confirm their entry in the annual match.

Asuka, Sasha Banks and Bayley are among the star names who have announced their participation from Raw so far, while Becky Lynch, Naomi and The Riott Squad have confirmed that they will take part from SmackDown Live.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter recently reported that NXT talent has been told that nine female Superstars from the brand will appear in the historic match on 28 January.

In this article, we take a look at which nine Superstars could feature in the match, ranking them from the least likely to the most likely.

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#9 Kairi Sane

Kairi Sane won the Mae Young Classic

Credentials: As far as credentials go, they don’t get much better in NXT’s women’s division than Kairi Sane. The Japanese sensation debuted on WWE television in 2017 at the Mae Young Classic, in which she defeated Tessa Blanchard, Bianca BelAir, Dakota Kai and Toni Storm before pinning Shayna Baszler in the final to win the tournament.

Chances of Royal Rumble appearance: Kairi is only so far down in this list because she hasn’t had a match on NXT television since the TakeOver: War Games event in November, with a recent tweet from pro wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer suggesting she is dealing with injury problems.

#8 Abbey Laith

Abbey Laith was a big star on the independent scene

Credentials: The likes of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were seen as ‘independent darlings’ when they were signed by WWE. Although Abbey Laith, formerly known as Kimber Lee, is yet to be involved in an NXT storyline since the Mae Young Classic, she is the closest female performer WWE has to an ‘independent darling’.

Chances of Royal Rumble appearance: Laith has faced the likes of Ember Moon, Shayna Baszler and Nikki Cross at NXT live events recently and it seems only a matter of time before she features on NXT programming again. In front of a die-hard set of pro wrestling fans in Philadelphia, don’t be surprised if the former Indy star appears in the Rumble.

#7 Bianca BelAir

Bianca BelAir is known as the "EST of NXT"

Credentials: Bianca BelAir first made an impression on the WWE audience in 2017 during the Mae Young Classic tournament, where she used her unique ‘hair whip’ offence to great effect and arguably had the Match of the Tournament in the second round against Kairi Sane.

Chances of Royal Rumble appearance: WWE clearly thinks highly of BelAir. Despite not featuring much on NXT television, she has recently challenged Ember Moon for the NXT Women’s Championship at multiple live events, so a surprise Rumble appearance can’t be ruled out.

#6 Dakota Kai

Dakota Kai is the self-confessed 'girl next door'

Credentials: Tipped to be ‘The Next Bayley’, fan favourite Dakota Kai was impressive during the Mae Young Classic tournament in 2017 and she has recently been involved in a feud with Shayna Baszler on NXT.

Chances of Royal Rumble appearance: The most recent episode of NXT saw the New Zealander leave the arena with her arm in a sling after she was on the receiving end of a vicious attack from Baszler during their match. Wrestling being wrestling, she'll be back in no time and fully recovered for the first-ever women's Rumble.

#5 Nikki Cross

Nikki Cross (right) is a member of SAnitY

Credentials: As a member of unhinged faction SAnitY, Nikki Cross has been a regular presence on NXT programming since debuting in 2016 and she was involved in multiple NXT Women’s Championship matches in 2017.

Chances of Royal Rumble appearance: It’s only a matter of time before the Scot is called up to WWE’s main roster alongside Eric Young, Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe. If reports are true and as many as nine NXT women will feature in the Rumble, she’s certain to be one of them.

Joint #3 Billie Kay & Peyton Royce

The Iconic Duo are set for a main-roster call-up soon

Credentials: Villainous ‘life partners’ Billie Kay and Peyton Royce were voted NXT Breakout Stars of the Year in 2016 and their popularity with fans only grew and grew throughout 2017, leading many to predict that they were set for a main-roster call-up at the end of the year.

Chances of Royal Rumble appearance: While it was a little surprising to see five NXT women called up ahead of them recently, The Iconic Duo is certain to be on Raw or SmackDown Live soon. What better way to introduce them than at the Rumble?

#2 Shayna Baszler

Shayna Baszler finished second in the Mae Young Classic

Credentials: Few NXT Superstars have made as much impact in such a short space of time than Shayna Baszler. Her recent wrath of destruction is reminiscent of when Kevin Owens debuted in 2014 and it wouldn’t at all be surprising if she won the NXT Women’s Championship in the not-too-distant future.

Chances of Royal Rumble appearance: With TakeOver: Philadelphia taking place the night before the Rumble, and with many fans likely to attend both shows, you can bet on the former MMA star appearing in the historic match. She has made plenty of enemies over the last few weeks, so her probable elimination could set up more and more NXT feuds for her further down the line.

#1 Ember Moon

Ember Moon is the current NXT Women's champion

Credentials: After a year-long chase for the NXT Women’s Championship, Ember Moon finally captured the title in a Fatal-4-Way match at TakeOver: War Games in November 2017. She will defend her championship at TakeOver: Philadelphia on 27 January against an opponent that can be found in spoilers via this link.

Chances of Royal Rumble appearance: With nine women reportedly entering the match from NXT, the brand’s current champion is almost certain to appear. There are many dream matches she is yet to have with WWE talent, while a face-off with former rival Asuka could potentially be on the cards if she enters.