The 2021 WWE Royal Rumble is just over a month from now. Plans for the show seem to be underway. The company will present the "Legends Night" on WWE RAW two Mondays from now. There, several names from the past will appear on the show. It's fair to wonder if some of these Superstars could come back for the Royal Rumble.
In recent years, several WWE legends have returned in the Royal Rumble. Molly Holly and Edge participated in WWE's respective battle royals last January.
This year will be no different, as WWE stars once again will battle it out for the chance to challenge the champion of their choice at WrestleMania. In the past, legends like Lita, Trish Stratus, and Michelle McCool have all made their presence known inside the match. That pattern will likely continue this year.
Several WWE legends and former stars could make their return in the women's Rumble Match this year. Here are just five of these possibilities.
#5. Former WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee
This could be considered quite a bold prediction. For the most part, AJ Lee has stayed way from WWE since she left the company. But fans have learned to never say never.
CM Punk has teased his own return to the ring. So his wife could be itching to get back in action, too. Lee has noted that she suffered a back injury before she retired. But other legends have recovered and returned to the ring, so anything is possible.
Lee has been on the sidelines for five years, and se hasn't wrestled a match since her retirement in April 2015. Theoretically, she might have healed enough for a cameo appearance.
Lee was once the longest-reigning Divas Champion in WWE, and many fans would like to see her return. Even if she only comes back for one night, she could electrify the WWE Universe.
Lee is one of the most popular female wrestlers of all time, and she would definitely be welcomed back by the fans.
#4. Former WWE Divas Champion Alicia Fox
Of the names on this list, this one might surprise you. Alicia Fox is a name that hasn't been mentioned in WWE for more than a year. Fox's last WWE appearance came back at the Raw Reunion show in July 2019. But the former Divas Champion was an integral part of the women's division for more than a decade. She was quietly released from the company in November 2019.
Fox's WWE run ended inconclusively, so she might hope to compete one last time. That way, she could go out on her own terms. Fox has been announced for RAW Legends Night, so the former champion could stick around for another appearance.
If Fox competes in the Royal Rumble Match, she could wrap up her WWE career on a more satisfying note. It's a fair prediction, as crazier things have happened. After all, Fox has many friends in WWE. Her return would be a feel-good moment, as many fans would like to see Fox get the send-off she deserves.
#3. Former WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix
Beth Phoenix is currently a member of the WWE roster as a broadcaster on NXT. She's thriving in this role, but the former Women's Champion is in good shape. So she could easily return to the ring, too.
Phoenix and Natalya challenged for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship just under two years ago at WrestleMania 35. It's not crazy to imagine that she'll wrestle again. Plus, she was on WWE RAW earlier this year.
Natalya hasn't been in a successful storyline for a long time. The WWE Women's Tag Team Champions are definitely lacking challengers right now. So reuniting The Divas of Doom could solve both problems. Natalya and Phoenix are a solid team, so they could add depth to what has been a lackluster division.
Phoenix and Natalya could reunite at the Royal Rumble next month. There, WWE could see what kind of shape Phoenix is currently in. From there, it's possible that Phoenix and Natalya could become legitimate contenders for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
#2. Former WWE Women's Champion Melina
Melina was once one of the stars who carried the WWE women's division. She led a new era after Trish Stratus and Lita retired. Alongside Mickie James, she was one of the faces of the division. She held the WWE Women's Championship three times throughout her career.
Melina has been overlooked by the company in recent years. Many stars have returned to WWE, but Melina has worked elsewhere. Though she was seen backstage at Raw Reunion, she hasn't appeared on WWE programming since that show.
Earlier this year, rumors swirled that Melina re-signed with WWE. Per these reports, she was expected to head to NXT. But the plans never came to fruition.
Still, Melina is set to be part of Legends Night on WWE RAW. This appearance could potentially pave the way for Melina to compete in her first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match. For the two-time Divas Champion, this match could be her swan song.
It's unclear what physical condition Melina is currently in. But at the very least, her involvement in the Legends Night show opens the door for another appearance.
#1. Former WWE Women's Champion Victoria
Victoria was a groundbreaking female wrestler. She was a member of the WWE roster at the same time as Trish Stratus and Lita. But she was unable to claim the same accolades as these two WWE Hall of Famers.
Still, Victoria was part of several first-ever women's matches in WWE history. She made history in a Women's Steel Cage Match and the first-ever Women's Hardcore Match against Stratus at Survivor Series in 2002.
Stratus has recently spoken out about the fact that Victoria deserves to be in the WWE Hall of Fame. The company could lead into this recognition by inviting the former Women's Champion back for a spot in the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
Victoria recently noted that she spoke to WWE about a job as a trainer in NXT. Clearly, both sides are on good terms, and even though the former IMPACT Wrestling star is retired from the ring, she could make an exception.
Victoria was rumored to return at the Royal Rumble last year, but she ultimately didn't appear in the match. So WWE could call her number this time around.