Royal Rumble 2019: Last Minute Rumors

Get all WWE Royal Rumble 2019 live commentary, live updates, and highlights here

We are just hours away from one of the biggest PPVs of the year for WWE - Royal Rumble! This year's show has the usual Royal Rumble match for the men and women, as well as exciting singles matches.

Let's take a look at all the latest Royal Rumble last-minute rumors:

---

#1 Rumoured returnees for the Rumble

The Royal Rumble is usually the perfect place for Superstars who have been injured or those that have recently signed with the company to return. AJ Styles made a huge impact when he signed for WWE and debuted in the Rumble a few years ago.

In the 2019 Royal Rumble, several Superstars have been rumoured to return. The likes of the Bludgeon Brothers - Harper and Rowan, are reportedly fit to return to action.

Meanwhile, another tag team, the team of Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt, who have been out of action since late last year, are also ready to return to action, although we aren't quite sure if they will be reintroduced at the Rumble. Wyatt was spotted training with WWE Legend Tatanka earlier this week.

20 men were confirmed for the 30-man Royal Rumble, but John Cena's injury could reduce that number by one.

Tye Dillinger (who is sporting a new look) is also rumoured to be cleared to wrestle and could find himself in the Royal Rumble this week.

He was a part of WWE's build-up to the event and was involved in the Royal Rumble Axxess event on Saturday.

Velveteen Dream, Aleister Black, and Ricochet could also be a part of the Royal Rumble after they seemed to be saying goodbye to the crowd after last night's NXT Takeover show went off the air.

---

#2 John Cena status

John Cena

John Cena was confirmed for this year's Royal Rumble earlier this month. He featured in a fatal four-way match against Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre, and Finn Balor, with the winner getting a shot at Brock Lesnar's Universal title at Royal Rumble.

Cena lost, and then later it was announced that he suffered an injury the following week and that he could be a doubt for the Royal Rumble.

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer revealed that Cena will most likely not show up at Rumble, despite being advertised for the event.

#3 Superstars spotted in Phoenix, Arizona

Kurt Angle

Phoenix, Arizona's Chase Field will host this year's Royal Rumble, and there have been various reports that several wrestlers have been spotted in the city ahead of Sunday's show.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson has reported that Sin Cara, Maryse, and Christian are currently in the city. Sin Cara injured his knee back in August, 2018, and has been out of action since as he was rehabilitating post his surgery. Reports last week suggested that he was back in the Performance Center and ready to wrestle. He could be one of the 30 entrants in the men's Royal Rumble.

WWE legend Christian may perhaps appear at Royal Rumble for the kick-off show.

Johnson also reported that Kurt Angle was a part of WWE's Axxess show in Phoenix this week, which maybe indicates that Angle will also be involved in the Rumble. He wrestled on live shows recently on WWE.

#4 Dolph Ziggler reveals his Royal Rumble status

Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler hasn't been on WWE television since December, and revealed in an interview with Chris van Vliet that he is currently on a hiatus with the WWE as he embarks on a career in comedy.

"For now I am on a hiatus with WWE. It took me like 10 years to get a weekend off and this is it. So we'll see where it goes from here. Like I said we have a handshake agreement which is different from what's on paper. I've given everything and we'll see if there is more for me to give, I'll be happy to be a part of it," said Ziggler.

When asked if he will compete at the Royal Rumble, Ziggler that he is still under contract but not scheduled to wrestle at Rumble.

Ziggler will be in Phoenix during Rumble but he has a comedy show that he will be performing at during the show.

#5 Royal Rumble "big surprise

Could The Rock return to the WWE at Royal Rumble?

The Royal Rumble is all about surprises, be it in the Royal Rumble match, or following the matches, like Ronda Rousey's appearance in last year's Rumble.

Twitter account WrestleVotes have revealed that we could be in for a big surprise at the Rumble, although the account didn't reveal what is is going to be. Most people speculated that it could be Kenny Omega's appearance at the WWE show, but WrestleVotes said that this big surprise wasn't about Omega.

A “big” surprise may be in the plans Sunday at the Rumble, one that’s being kept from nearly everyone. However, I’m not going to leak it. Two reasons, 1. If it happens, everyone should have a genuine reaction to the moment & 2. WWE doesn’t even know if it’s going to work out yet.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) January 26, 2019

And this has nothing to do with Kenny Omega.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) January 26, 2019

This big surprise, some are predicting, could be an appearance by The Rock or Roman Reigns, following the announcement that The Rock and Reigns are going to act together in a spin-off of the Fast & Furious franchise called Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

But another report by Mike Johnson is reporting that Reigns will not be at Rumble and that he is currently in Hawaii.