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WWE announced the first 19 participants in this year's Women's Royal Rumble Match on SmackDown. A few surprising names included were The Bella Twins, Lita, and Mickie James. SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair is also in. But who will fill the remaining spots?
11 women are yet to be announced for the 30-woman match, with some of them likely to be filled in the coming week or so. There's also the potential for further surprises, which may be the reason why WWE announced so many returning stars as part of the field.
A few NXT stars may join the fray as could some main roster names who have been out of action for months. Royal Rumble is the perfect place for these absent stars to return and make a statement.
After WWE revealed almost two-thirds of the line-up, let's take a look at who may round out the 2022 Women's Royal Rumble Match. Could any of these stars win?
#11. Doudrop and #10. Bianca Belair will get added if Liv Morgan earns the Royal Rumble title shot
Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, and Doudrop are set to compete in a triple threat to determine Becky Lynch's opponent for Royal Rumble. The two women who don't win will likely be added to the 30-woman match on RAW itself. With Morgan the favorite, expect to see Belair and Doudrop enter the Rumble Match.
The latter would be the powerhouse entrant and can rack up a few eliminations. Meanwhile, The EST of WWE will want a repeat of last year. Belair would be the favorite to win the Royal Rumble again, following two excellent performances in the last two editions of the match.
#9. Alexa Bliss will make her WWE return on RAW
WWE is set to document Alexa Bliss' journey back to RAW on the coming episode of the red brand. This journey could culminate with a Royal Rumble return. We last saw Bliss at Extreme Rules, where she unsuccessfully challenged Charlotte Flair for the RAW Women's Championship.
The Queen destroyed Lilly the Doll at the event, which left her distraught. With Flair entering the Royal Rumble Match this year, Alexa Bliss can target her upon returning. Hopefully, she does come back as a different character, one without spooky shenanigans.
#8. WWE SmackDown's Xia Li
Even before debuting on WWE's main roster, Xia Li has entered multiple Royal Rumble Matches. This year, she can make a true impact. Li debuted on SmackDown last month after weeks of intriguing vignettes. Her presentation has been unique.
Xia Li's martial arts background may come in handy at the Royal Rumble, with a good showing in the match furthering her stock on the blue brand. The Chinese Superstar has an exciting future.
#7. Raquel Gonzalez may make an impact in the Royal Rumble
After failing to regain the NXT Women's Championship from Mandy Rose, Raquel Gonzalez seems like a lock for the Royal Rumble. She does not have anything left to do with the brand and her presence is welcome on RAW and SmackDown. This would be the best way to debut her on the main roster.
Gonzalez can dominate the Rumble from a middle spot – around No.14 or 15. She is called 'Big Mami Cool,' after all. The former NXT Women's Champion might even be a dark horse to win the entire thing. Either way, Raquel Gonzalez should have a strong showing in the Royal Rumble Match.
#6. Io Shirai
Another former NXT Women's Champion, Io Shirai could also make her WWE main roster debut in the Royal Rumble Match. She has simply been hanging out on NXT recently without too much purpose, with it seeming like the end of her time there.
Shirai's in-ring skills make her a can't miss Superstar. Hopefully, she is booked well upon her likely debut on RAW or SmackDown. WWE should begin on the right note and offer The Genius of the Sky a strong showing at the Royal Rumble. The fans would be pleased to see her.
#5. Cora Jade can further bolster her young WWE career by entering the Royal Rumble
Right now, it seems like Cora Jade is being set up to be the female face of NXT 2.0 after Mandy Rose. She has already been a part of some big moments, like her win at WarGames. Jade might have another one if she enters the Royal Rumble Match.
The 20-year-old could hold her own in the 30-woman bout and gain a lot of fans in the process. Cora Jade has adopted aspects of AJ Lee and Paige's personas, which has helped make her a popular figure so far. She should get some more spotlight before eventually defeating Rose to win the NXT Women's title.
#4. Lacey Evans may return from maternity leave at the Royal Rumble
Lacey Evans took her to leave from WWE shortly after last year's Royal Rumble. She announced her pregnancy on RAW and hasn't been seen on television since. Evans gave birth to her second daughter in October and has gotten herself in tremendous shape since then.
The Sassy Southern Belle could make her come back three months after giving birth. She may even be a surprise winner, although there are better options in that respect. Either way, expect Lacey Evans' music to hit during the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
#3. Asuka has been missing from WWE for a long time
We have not seen Asuka on WWE television in nearly six months, during which period she has been nursing an arm injury of sorts. She wasn't even a part of the WWE Draft. Fans have been missing The Empress of Tomorrow, which makes a potential Royal Rumble return very exciting.
If she is cleared to compete, Asuka would garner a massive reaction upon her entrance into the match, thanks to a combination of her explosive in-ring skills and charming charisma. Hopefully, the first-ever female Royal Rumble winner has a chance to add to her tally in 2022.
#2. Former WWE Divas Champion Paige
It has been over four years since Paige last wrestled in WWE, shortly before the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match. The Anti-Diva's neck issues forced her into early retirement but there may be hope for her. Edge and Sting also retired due to neck injuries before returning to wrestling in 2020.
If Paige can follow a similar path, Royal Rumble is the best place for her to show up. She would instantly be one of the biggest female stars on WWE's roster and the greatest surprise return in Women's Royal Rumble history.
Should she return to the ring this month, Paige has lots of potential opponents at WrestleMania 38, whether or not she wins the Rumble.
#1. Bayley would be the ideal 2022 Women's Royal Rumble winner
Bayley has been out of action since July, suffering an ACL injury agonizingly close to the return of fans in arenas. She was arguably the top female star during the 'Pandemic Era,' improving leaps and bounds as a character. As a result, The Role Model deserves a grand return to WWE.
That grand return has to come at the Royal Rumble, as long as she is cleared by then. Bayley should win the 30-woman match and book her spot at WrestleMania, especially after not wrestling at last year's Show of Shows. Her popularity justifies such a big moment.
Fans are ready to see Bayley go straight to the top upon her return, especially if it comes in the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
