From the WWE Rumor Mill: Number of NXT participants in the Women's Royal Rumble possibly revealed 

What's the story?

This Sunday, at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view, the WWE Universe will witness the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match. This match will have the same stipulations like that of the Men's Royal Rumble, with the winner receiving a Women's Championship opportunity at the grand stage of WrestleMania 34.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, the women's Royal Rumble match will feature plenty of female talents from WWE's developmental territory, NXT.

In case you didn't know

On December 18, 2017 edition of RAW, the brand Commissioner Stephanie McMahon announced the first ever women's Royal Rumble match for the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble event.

It was later confirmed that this match will have the same rules like the men's Rumble bout, as 30 women competitor from both RAW and Smackdown Live will be getting the opportunity to earn a Women's Championship match at WrestleMania 34.

The heart of the matter

Despite the match being open to 30 female competitors, the combined female roster of RAW and Smackdown Live doesn't add up to the required limit of 30.

This paved the way for rumours, which indicate that several former WWE female performers may make their return for the first ever women's Royal Rumble match. Additionally, the women of NXT may be called up for one-night to be a part of this historic battle and obviously, to fill up the vacant spots.

Dave Meltzer discussed the issue in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and stated that 9 NXT female superstars may be utilized in the women's Royal Rumble match. The vacant spots remaining will be filled up by surprise entrants.

Meltzer clarified that nothing is official yet and this number may turn out to be different when the Royal Rumble match actually takes place.

What's next?

This year's WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view will be held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 28th January 2018. For the first time, the event will be featuring two Royal Rumble matches, one for the men and the other for the women superstars.

Author's take

Without any doubt, the women's Royal Rumble will be a historic battle. With the increase in the number of expected participants from NXT, we can't rule out the possibilities of a female NXT superstar winning the Royal Rumble and headlining WrestleMania 34 in a Women's Championship match.

Now, just a few hours are left for the event. Don't know about you fellas, but I am super excited about the Rumble!