'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Royal Rumble 2021 is just a month away, which means that a few surprise returns are on the horizon. Not all good returns are good, but the ones that are, tend to deliver. Here are five WWE Superstars who should return at the Royal Rumble 2021 matches and five who shouldn't.
#5. Should return at the Royal Rumble: Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar has been noticeably absent from WWE this year. While he always wrestles on 'Big 4' pay-per-views and Saudi Arabia shows, 2020 has seen him take a back seat.
He only wrestled in the Royal Rumble match, in Saudi Arabia, and at WrestleMania 36. After putting over Drew McIntyre, he took his usual time off but didn't return.
Technically, Brock Lesnar isn't even on a WWE contract, per Dave Meltzer. However, he also stated that Brock Lesnar isn't interested in returning to MMA and that if he was, he would have already re-entered the USADA testing pool.
It seems to be a matter of when and not if Brock Lesnar returns. The reported reason behind WWE not utilizing him is that they didn't want to make a larger-than-life performer like Brock Lesnar appear with no crowds.
There's still no certainty over when crowds will return, and given the exceedingly high COVID-19 cases in the United States daily, Royal Rumble won't be the pay-per-view where we see it.
Either way, we wouldn't be surprised to see WWE utilize Brock Lesnar and have him return at the Royal Rumble 2021. Earlier this year in the 2020 Royal Rumble match, Brock Lesnar had one of the all-time great performances and eliminated a whopping 13 contestants in a row.
While this is technically the most eliminations by a single competitor in a Royal Rumble match, WWE considers it a shared record as Braun Strowman hit the same figure at The Greatest Royal Rumble two years earlier.
Brock Lesnar's presence would be huge for WWE and it might be their solution to the dipping ratings on RAW. Brock Lesnar returning at the Royal Rumble would help elevate RAW programming significantly.
#5. Shouldn't return at the Royal Rumble: Becky Lynch
Admittedly, this is a bit of a bizarre entry since the 2019 Royal Rumble winner Becky Lynch just became a mother less than a month ago. But we've seen Superstars return to the ring after becoming mothers. WWE Superstars are cut from a different cloth, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Becky Lynch ready and back in shape for the Royal Rumble - an accolade she won almost two full years ago.
However, it would still be too soon, and while Becky Lynch could likely return for a WrestleMania program, it would be better if she wasn't in the Royal Rumble match - especially if she's not winning it.
#4. Should return: Ronda Rousey
This is a big-money move to make for WWE. Ronda Rousey was seen training in the ring with Roddy Piper's daughter Ariel Teal Toombs. She has been in shape, but she left WWE in 2019 to become a mother. That hasn't happened yet, and an in-ring return is always possible.
Although we imagine WWE could hold back on bringing Ronda Rousey in at the Royal Rumble due to the lack of fans. But her return would be the biggest that WWE could do in early 2021.
#4. Shouldn't return at the Royal Rumble: Naomi
Naomi had a great return at the 2020 Royal Rumble and did well in the limited time she was there. However, 2020 wasn't a great year for the former SmackDown Women's Champion.
The height of it was competing at the SmackDown Women's title Fatal-Five-Way match at WrestleMania 36, but she was out for the entirety of the early COVID-era. She underwent surgery in September and was drafted to RAW, but there hasn't been anything of note since.
The 2021 Royal Rumble match probably isn't the best place to re-introduce her. Perhaps she could return before (or after) that. If she returns before, there's a high chance of her competing in the Royal Rumble match.
#3. Should return: Sonya Deville
It's a real shame what happened to Sonya Deville. She was one of the Superstars genuinely benefiting from the empty arena shows at the WWE Performance Center.
In 2020, Sonya Deville improved significantly and was getting regular TV time. She was gaining a lot of momentum, but the unfortunate stalker incident happened in real life.
As a result of having to deal with legal issues, presumably coupled with mental health, WWE gave her time away, and she hasn't been assigned to any brand. Her last appearance saw her lose to Mandy Rose at SummerSlam 2020.
It's been over four months now, and Sonya Deville's return would be a big boost for the women's division. Hopefully, she will be able to return as a surprise entry to the Women's Royal Rumble.
#3. Shouldn't return at the Royal Rumble: Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal should not return at the 2021 Royal Rumble. The former WWE Champion has had an unfortunate 2020. He had returned after ten months away due to a knee injury, and he seemed to be off to a good start. There were even rumors that he would be challenging Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at one point.
However, it was only a month after his return in April that he underwent surgery to fix more issues with his knees. While he is in recovery mode, Royal Rumble might be a bit too early for him to return.
#2. Should return: Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman technically has won Royal Rumble victory to his name - but it was at The Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018. He is always impressive to watch in the Royal Rumble, and he was rumored to be Drew McIntyre's TLC opponent before getting injured at Survivor Series.
However, it was also reported that his leg injury wasn't too serious and that it won't require surgery. This gives Braun Strowman enough time to return at the 2021 Royal Rumble.
#2. Shouldn't return at the Royal Rumble: Eva Marie
Eva Marie is all set to make her WWE return after over four years, and it could be at the Royal Rumble. While it hasn't been announced as an official signing, various sources have claimed that Eva Marie has signed with WWE again.
A report from PWInsider stated:
As per the new report, Eva Marie is listed as a member of the roster on the internal sheets. Marie, however, has not been assigned to a brand, which explains her absence.
Eva Marie would have gotten a great return reaction with a crowd at the Royal Rumble, but since there will most likely not be one, it's better to re-introduce her as a part of a good storyline instead.
#1. Should return: Edge
Last year at the Royal Rumble, Edge made a shocking return to the ring after nine long years. It was a surreal moment, and it led to him returning for two more matches against Randy Orton before he suffered a tricep injury that kept him out of action.
While he was likely only going to appear till SummerSlam anyway, this marks the perfect way to get Edge to renew his feud with Randy Orton at Royal Rumble. He doesn't even need to win the match.
#1. Shouldn't return at the Royal Rumble: Goldberg
It doesn't take much to realize why Goldberg shouldn't return at the Royal Rumble 2021. While WrestleMania 33 in 2017 seemed to be a fitting end to his career, he decided to come back and had a disastrous match with The Undertaker in 2019.
He squashed Dolph Ziggler and would return in early 2020 to challenge 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship. He won the title in what was a controversial move.
While he was supposed to drop the title to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 36, Braun Strowman took that spot instead. Goldberg will add no actual value to the Royal Rumble match, especially without a crowd. He is unlikely to be a surprise entrant, but WWE seems to love bringing legends like him back for matches such as the Royal Rumble.
However, the Royal Rumble match could do without him. He would add some star power, but even his 2017 Royal Rumble appearance was brief (albeit, impactful). Goldberg is better off on the sidelines.
