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Much like last year, WWE will have a problem on its hands with the women's Royal Rumble match. Namely, there aren't enough women on the main roster to fill the numbers. Sure, the problem isn't as bad as last year, but it's still significant.
As of now, there are 25 full-time female wrestlers on the main roster. Lacey Evans and Nikki Cross bumps that up to 27, but we now need to make some subtractions. There is no indication that Alexa Bliss will be cleared from injury before the Royal Rumble. The two champions (currently Asuka and Ronda Rousey) will also be out. That leaves the total number at 24 full-time wrestlers available. I expect all 24 to be in the match, including Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch, who will be challenging for the women's championships that night, simply as a result of the numbers shortage (not to mention everyone wanting to see Becky win).
That leaves six entrants to be determined. Since WWE went to the well with returning legends and there aren't many available this year that are also on good terms with the company, I expect we'll see more from NXT this time around.
Here's who we may see surprise us in the Rumble.
#1 Toni Storm
This is obvious. With the UK division having successfully completed its first major event at TakeOver: Blackpool, WWE will want to showcase it to a wider audience, and Toni Storm, as its champion, will be one of the representatives for it. The reigning Mae Young Classic winner will enter the Rumble much as the previous winner, Kairi Sane, also entered.
Toni Storm might well have a better showing than the few minutes Kairi Sane entered last year, as well, given that she won't be a replacement.
#2 Shayna Baszler
This is another obvious one. With Ember Moon entering last year as champion, it seems likely that Baszler will enter this year as champion (Bianca BelAir will most likely lose at TakeOver: Phoenix the previous night). Aside from that, WWE insists on doing this four horsewomen feud (for reasons I still can't quite fathom) and the Royal Rumble would be an ideal venue to tease that eventuality.
#3 Io Shirai
Speaking of the NXT Women's Championship, the Royal Rumble would also be an ideal venue to begin the next feud for that title, which will likely feature Io Shirai, the Mae young Classic runner up.
Shirai's entrance would add a lot of excitement to the Ryoal Rumble match, as her high speed offense would pick up the pace during a match that can lag. It would also offer some interesting teases for future dream matches with the likes of Charlotte Flair or Ember Moon.
#4 Rhea Ripley
The former NXT UK Women's Champion would also be an ideal entrant into the women's Royal Rumble match, both to advertise the nascent brand across the pond and to elevate a potential star on the main roster.
Rhea Ripley would bring power to the Rumble match, stacking up well against other powerhouses in the contest like Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax.
#5 Alundra Blayze
It wouldn't be a Royal Rumble without a returning legend or two, and Alundra Blayze was one of the few that didn't appear in last year's match. There was chatter that she would work Evolution, but that didn't happen. A Royal Rumble match would be far safer, as she need not stay in there for too long.
Blayze's entrance would be a nod to the past in a match that will also highlight the future, and the interactions should be a lot of fun.
#6 Ivory
Another notable absence in last year's Royal Rumble match was Ivory, who would go into the Hall of Fame a few months later. She returned to the ring during the Battle Royal at Evolution, where she was eliminated by Asuka.
At this year's Royal Rumble match, Ivory looks the best bet to return to the ring again as a legend, given that she didn't appear last year and her return to the ring would be more novel than that of some of the other competitors from last year's match. Seeing how she interacts with today's and tomorrow's talent would be a relatively new experience.
Ivory was as much (or more) a part of the antecedents of today's "women's revolution" as any of the legends to return last year, so her getting the nod in Phoenix would be a natural choice to spice up the Rumble match.
