WWE Royal Rumble is one of the most buzzworthy pay-per-views in the world of professional wrestling. In the Royal Rumble Match, 30 participants try to eliminate each other for the opportunity of a lifetime. The winner of the battle royal typically goes on to headline WrestleMania. Because the match is so exciting, this show is usually enjoyed by both hardcore & casual wrestling fans.
The Royal Rumble Match is known to be a platform for surprise debuts & returns. In recent years, fans have seen AJ Styles, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, and Edge shockingly compete in the battle royal. As always, fans are looking forward to the show this year. The only difference is that the 2021 Royal Rumble will mark the first time the event will be held without live fans.
This article provides a look at the top five Superstars who might show up at this year's Royal Rumble. This list features a mix of superstars that might return and competitors that could make their WWE debut at the show.
#5 Taya Valkyrie could debut at WWE Royal Rumble
Taya Valkyrie is a Canadian wrestler who is most known for her stints in companies like AAA, Lucha Underground, and IMPACT Wrestling. She is a three time AAA Reina de Reinas Champion & a one-time IMPACT Knockouts champion.
Many fans have been speculating that Valkyrie might be moving on from IMPACT Wrestling. Her latest appearance was a pre-recorded skit that aired on the latest episode of the company's weekly show. In this skit, she was revealed to be the person who shot John E. Bravo.
Tommy Dreamer offered an intriguing hint about Valkyrie's future. "If she’s lucky, she’ll go to Jacksonville State Prison (a nod to AEW), but for what she did and if she’s not that lucky, I think they’re going to send her to Stamford Maximum Penitentiary (WWE), for two years, with maybe an option for three. Trust me, that will change a person’s soul forever," said Dreamer.
With WWE Royal Rumble just a few days away, fans could see Valkyrie make her debut in the Women's Royal Rumble Match. All Elite Wrestling (AEW) seems like it could a viable option for the former IMPACT Knockouts Champion. But her husband John Morrison is a WWE Superstar, so she might opt to join him. In theory, the two stars could get paired together on-screen at some point.
#4 Marty Scurll could debut at WWE Royal Rumble
Marty Scurll could electrify the fans if he debuts at WWE Royal Rumble. "The Villain" is best known for his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) as a member of Bullet Club. He also had a memorable run in Ring of Honor, as he was the leader of Villain Enterprises.
During his lengthy career, he has won several major championships including the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship, the ROH World Television Championship, and the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.
Wrestling fans were in shock when Scurll decided to stick with Ring of Honor in 2020. His Bullet Club stablemates were the founding members of All Elite Wrestling. But Scurll didn't make the jump, as he stayed and became the head booker of the promotion in the process.
But Scurll's situation has changed. Ring of Honor announced that Scurll was no longer under contract with the company, as both parties mutually agreed to part ways earlier this month.
Many wrestling fans are speculating that Scurll will show up in either All Elite Wrestling or IMPACT Wrestling due to the ongoing Bullet Club storyline in both companies.
But there is a chance that Scurll might surprise his fans once again by avoiding the path of his former stablemates. He could opt to sign with WWE, and the Royal Rumble event would be the perfect place for his debut. He could show up in the Men's Royal Rumble Match this year.
#3 Tessa Blanchard could debut at WWE Royal Rumble
Tessa Blanchard is a dark horse candidate for Superstars who could make a stunning debut at WWE Royal Rumble. She has been a top star in AAA and IMPACT Wrestling, among other promotions. She's the daughter of legendary wrestler and Hall of Famer Tully Blanchard.
Tessa made history by becoming the first female wrestler to capture the IMPACT World Championship. She is also a former IMPACT Knockouts Champion and AAA Reina de Reinas Champion.
Tessa made headlines for her controversial departure from IMPACT Wrestling. Various reported stated that she was unable to send recorded promos required for one of the company's television programming. IMPACT management made various attempts to get the company's title back, but the two sides could not come to an agreement. As a result, her contract was terminated.
Apart from this controversy, she was under fire in January 2020 when several wrestlers came forward with allegations of bullying and racism. Regardless, Tessa Blanchard is a huge name, and she could be a key player in either All Elite Wrestling (AEW) or World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
AEW would love to have a star of Tessa's caliber to increase the depth of its women's roster. Tessa's father, Tully Blanchard is signed to AEW, so she could choose to join him there. With that being said, WWE won't let such a huge superstar go to its rival promotion so easily.
WWE already raised some eyebrows when their recent game, WWE 2K Battlegrounds used an image of Tessa on one of its loading screens. 2K Games later stated that it was a mistake from the developer's end, so the company quickly removed the aforementioned image. Still, this saga caused some speculation that Tessa could make her WWE debut at WWE Royal Rumble.
At the time, fans wondered whether Tessa's arrival in the WWE could be in the works. She could compete in the Women's Royal Rumble Match, and she would instantly add some star power to WWE's women's division. Tessa's potential debut at WWE Royal Rumble would be shocking, as she hasn't been in the spotlight as much in recent months.
#2 Brock Lesnar could return at WWE Royal Rumble
It's easy to imagine Brock Lesnar making his return at WWE Royal Rumble. Sure, he is a polarizing figure in the world of professional wrestling. Some fans are quite fed up with his style of wrestling. His tendency to win championships out of nowhere and leaving for a few months also infuriates fans. With that being said, it is hard to deny his legitimacy and his WWE legacy.
Lesnar has achieved a lot of success in both professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. He has won the WWE Championship five times and the WWE Universal Championship three times. He also won the UFC Heavyweight Championship once.
Fans haven't seen Lesnar since his WrestleMania 36 loss to current WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. McIntyre will face Goldberg at WWE Royal Rumble 2021. Given the history between these three wrestlers, there is a good chance that Lesnar might show up and demolish everyone in the Royal Rumble Match.
If Lesnar plans to return, WWE could book him to win the Men's Royal Rumble Match. From there, he could face either McIntyre or Goldberg for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 37.
Vince McMahon sees Lesnar as a huge draw, so he could try to bring "The Beast Incarnate" back for the Royal Rumble Match.
#1 Ronda Rousey could return at WWE Royal Rumble
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey has also had success in both MMA & professional wrestling. Plus, many fans think she could return at WWE Royal Rumble. She was the first-ever female UFC champion, as she held the UFC Bantamweight Championship in a record-setting reign.
After a pair of stunning losses, she unofficially retired from MMA. She made her much-awaited wrestling debut during the final segment of WWE Royal Rumble 2018.
Rousey had one of the best rookie years in the history of professional wrestling, as she quickly won the WWE RAW Women's Championship. She went on to main event WrestleMania 35 in a triple threat match against Becky Lynch and the Royal Rumble Winner, Charlotte Flair. Lynch controversially won this match, as the pin was botched.
Fans haven't seen Rousey on WWE Television since WrestleMania 35, but the WWE Universe has been speculating about her return for a while now. Many fans think she could come back at WWE Royal Rumble. Rousey made some headlines last year when she called wrestling "fake."
Rousey was reportedly seen at WWE headquarters in 2020 to discuss her future. She could wind up returning at WWE Royal Rumble. This progression would be poetic justice, as she made her WWE debut at the event.