5 last-minute changes WWE can make at Royal Rumble 2022: Huge Roman Reigns twist, Major return shakes things up

We are less than three days away from the Royal Rumble and WWE has set the card in stone. Every match is exciting, with the main highlights naturally being the two 30-person contests.

Several aspects of the Rumble matches could change at the last moment, from participants being shifted around to announcements on entry numbers. In fact, the big winners might not even be on the card right now.

This sparks lots of intrigue heading into the event. WWE has built several superstars up but there is potential for a few major swerves, as we will get to. Vince McMahon will want to celebrate the first Rumble with fans in two years, so we should expect the unexpected.

Here are five possible last-minute changes that WWE can make at the Royal Rumble. Which of these do you see happening? Let us know down in the comments section.

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#5 WWE removes a few entrants from the Men's Royal Rumble Match

WWE has a habit of altering the Royal Rumble line-up at the last moment, especially in recent years. An example of this is the 2020 edition of the 30-man tussle. Bobby Lashley, Rusev, and Heavy Machinery were taken out of the match.

Something similar may happen this year, especially with over half of the field scheduled to be RAW Superstars. The promotion could quietly remove a couple of names from the mix, like The Street Profits, Dirty Dawgs, or Alpha Academy.

This way, a couple more spots can open up for potential surprises while minimizing the number of inconsequential entrants in the Men's Rumble.

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#4 Naomi is announced as the No.1 entrant in the Women's Royal Rumble Match

Naomi has been feuding with Sonya Deville for months, so it wouldn't come as a surprise if she is forced to enter the Women's Royal Rumble Match from No.1. With SmackDown only one day before the event, this announcement would be on short notice if it indeed comes.

Anyway, this booking decision makes sense from a logical and match layout perspective. Naomi can be the 'Iron Woman' of the bout and use multiple creative ways to escape elimination.

She is even an outside contender to be a part of the final four in the 30-woman match. Perhaps, this might even lead to her snapping and finally joining The Bloodline.

#3 A Tag Team Title match is added to the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show

WWE is yet to announce a match for the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show. A couple of bouts could take place before the event, with The Usos' next title defense being an option. Jimmy and Jey Uso are barred from ringside during Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, so this can get them on the card.

The Usos would defend their SmackDown Tag Team Championship against The Viking Raiders, who recently earned a title match. The two teams can have a solid match to get the fans in St. Louis fired up.

Unless WWE has further plans for this feud, the Royal Rumble pre-show is the best place for The Usos and The Viking Raiders to have their tag title clash.

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#2 Ronda Rousey returns to WWE and ruins Bianca Belair's moment

For weeks, it looked like one of Bianca Belair or Sasha Banks would win the Women's Royal Rumble Match. When The Legit Boss got injured, the path seemed clear for The EST of WWE to win her second Rumble in a row.

However, recent reports have indicated the promotion's hopes of getting Ronda Rousey back for WrestleMania season. So, The Baddest Woman on the Planet could very well return on Saturday and win the 30-woman Rumble, at Belair's expense.

This would undoubtedly disappoint lots of fans, who are hoping for Bianca Belair to get revenge on Becky Lynch. It could yet happen, but only after Rousey has a crack at the RAW Women's Championship.

#1 Roman Reigns loses the Universal Championship and wins the Men's Royal Rumble Match

As surprising as Ronda Rousey returning would be, WWE might pull off a bigger shock in the Men's Royal Rumble Match. However, this would only happen if Roman Reigns loses the Universal Championship to Seth Rollins.

It is a very real possibility, considering the pair's history together. The Visionary has a perfect record in world title matches against The Tribal Chief as well. Reigns wouldn't even need to lose clean, with Brock Lesnar or Kevin Owens potentially playing a part in his record-breaking title reign's demise.

The Head of the Table can then enter the Rumble match and win it, setting up a WrestleMania date with Lesnar for the WWE Championship. There isn't a clear-cut favorite among the announced participants, with Big E being the only one with a major chance of winning.

The New Day member would be a great choice to win the Royal Rumble but if Roman Reigns loses his title, he will still likely end the night on top. While it may be frustrating for the fans, it would top his 2015 victory for sure.