Top 5 NXT Stars who could show up at WWE Royal Rumble

#1 WWE NXT star Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley had quite an eventful 2020 in WWE. She defended the NXT Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36, but she tapped out Charlotte Flair. Still, Ripley made history as the first active NXT wrestler who had a match at WrestleMania. After this loss, Ripley never regained the title.

#AndNew.Once again.@MsCharlotteWWE is your #WWENXT #WomensChampion! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/ShdV54oXZC

— WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2020

Ripley has definitely improved as a wrestler since her loss at WrestleMania 36. Many fans lashed out when Ripley wasn't booked well following this defeat. "The Nightmare" never got her win back, but now that Flair has returned to WWE RAW, the two stars could clash once again.

It's only a matter of time before "The Queen" wins the WWE RAW Women's Championship. Ripley could challenge Flair for her title in an effort to avenge her crushing loss. Like Damian Priest, Ripley has been surrounded by rumors that suggest she'll be getting called up soon. She also seemingly wrapped up her NXT run after her loss to Raquel González at NXT's New Year's Evil.

.@RaquelWWE was the last woman standing after going to war against @RheaRipley_WWE at #NXTNYE! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/xNB7yXs7Tj

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 10, 2021

Ripley could enter the Royal Rumble Match and aim to get a shot at "The Queen." She could make history as the first NXT wrestler to win the prestigious match. If she does face Flair again, their roles would be reversed. Ripley would be the challenger, and Flair would enter WrestleMania as the champion. In theory, Ripley could then defeat "The Queen" and cement her status as a top star on WWE RAW.