5 superstars who can be the No. 30 entrant in the 2018 men’s Royal Rumble match 

The unpredictability, the exhilaration and the anticipation, every single year the Royal Rumble match creates a thunderous atmosphere waiting to explode. From veterans delivering a nostalgic appearance to young up and comers making an emphatic statement, the 30-man battle royal is arguably the greatest gimmick match in WWE’s extensive vault.

Since its inception, the January multi-man spectacle has produced countless classic displays. Moments such as Goldberg running a mock in 2004, Undertaker and Shawn Michaels 5-star showdown in 2007 and John Cena’s unexpected return in 2008, all those remarkable moments have one thing in common, the number 30 spot. The number 30 spot is arguably the most crucial spot in the Royal Rumble, as it can provide a hot babyface or a hated heel with momentum.

However, over the past few years, that pivotal number 30 spot had predictable entrants, disappointing conclusions, and controversial booking by the WWE creative team.

Here are 5 superstars that should be number 30 in the 2018 men’s Royal Rumble match

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#1 Goldberg

Goldberg has rampaged his way through multiple Royal Rumble matches, will the 2018 edition be next?

Who would have fathomed that WWE’s resident 2K video game series would become a career redeeming run for one of the greatest superstars in WCW history?Usually, the WWE Universe is very sceptical about the company’s creative direction and things could have gone south when WWE made “Da Man” a focal point of the red brand. However, Goldberg’s re-emergence on WWE programming sent shockwaves of nostalgia throughout the wrestling world.

But soon as the nostalgia had worn off, a majority of the WWE Universe had turned on Goldberg for taking younger stars opportunities. Therefore, when Brock Lesnar had destroyed the former Universal Champion at Wrestlemania 33, the exit of the WCW icon from WWE made numerous fans happy. Although Goldberg had supposedly retired from in-ring action back in April, countless interviews and rumours have only sparked the topic of whether Goldberg has one more giant run left in him.

Even though WWE has started a trend of announcing things that would have been considered huge surprises beforehand, the last spot in the 2018 Royal Rumble match should feature Goldberg's potential return. Bearing in mind that “Da Man" has not yet received his mandatory rematch for Universal Title, his involvement in the Royal Rumble is warranted and it gives him a valid reason to make a legendary comeback to the squared circle.

WWE booking Goldberg as the 2018 Royal Rumble winner would not be a perplexing decision, as it could set up colossal encounters with Braun Strowman or Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 34. One match with the WCW legend would elevate these young athletes to incredible heights. Therefore, when the WWE Universe is asking the obvious question of “who’s next” in the Royal Rumble match, Goldberg would be more than happy to answer that question.

#2 Batista

Will "the animal" be John Cena's Wrestlemania 34 opponent?

When Batista re-emerged on WWE programming back in 2013, the company had no idea he would receive an unexpected negative reaction.“The animal" was suddenly caught between a rock and a hard place, to be more specific he was stuck between Daniel Bryan’s meteoric rise and the fans staunch decision of no longer accepting part-timers in younger stars spots.

Thus, the WWE universe shockingly rejected the former fan favourite’s 2014 Royal Rumble win. However, in professional wrestling, nothing is set in stone, as some angles are unanimously rejected by the WWE universe while others strike gold. Even though Batista’s star power has skyrocketed in Hollywood after leaving WWE in 2014, the 6-time World Champion’s deep passion for wrestling still burns inside him.

Evident from his appearance on Jim Ross’s podcast, "the animal” expressed his desire to return to the squared circle. WWE could desperately use Batista’s star power in big main event pay-per-view bouts. However, “the animal", said he does not want to make his return to the wrestling world for a “cheap pop”, but be an integral part of the product going forward.Propelling Batista into the number 30 spot in the 2018 Royal Rumble match would garner a huge babyface reaction or most likely make Batista be a huge heat magnet.

The important thing is that “the animal” is at a point in his Hall of Fame career where he can truly play both sides of the coin.With rumours of WWE having booked a marquee match for John Cena at Wrestlemania 34, that anonymous opponent could be Batista himself. Also, if WWE opts to take another creative direction for “the animal’s” return, feuds with the likes of Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns can be a marquee addition to the “show of shows”.

#3 Hot NXT prospects

Will WWE give their future a chance to shine?

At the 2018 edition of the Royal Rumble, the WWE Universe will witness a new landscape of superstars in the January multi-man spectacle. The 30 competitors in the prestigious battle royal will include the usual rumble regulars, returning veterans and hot NXT talent. WWE’s ‘developmental’ show has recruited the greatest talents from around the world and made them into bona fide breakout main roster talent. However, some NXT veterans have not seen their success down at Full Sail replicated on the main roster.

NXT royalty such as Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Bobby Roode are making their Royal Rumble debuts this year. Even with all that tremendous talent involved, through absurd booking and poor character development, these once molten hot megastars debuting in the Royal Rumble match at number 30 will not be the ground-breaking moment it could have been.

However, Full Sail’s current trailblazing superstars have pushed NXT to unimaginable heights, and have given the yellow brand the opportunity to surpass Raw and Smackdown Live on more than one occasion. Although WWE will opt to select a veteran for the number 30 spot, superstars such as The Velveteen Dream, Lars Sullivan, Aleister Black, and a plethora of talented NXT megastars will benefit from this attention-grabbing spotlight. This can be a defining moment in their WWE careers, that will turn them from breakout talent to future WWE assets.

#4 The Undertaker

Will the Undertaker's presence on the 25th anniversary of Raw spark a Royal Rumble appearance?

The Undertaker is arguably one of the greatest wrestlers to step inside the squared circle. Staying relevant in professional wrestling is extremely difficult and “the phenom” managed to do that for over 25 years. Due to Undertaker's ability to evolve and keep the aura of his mythical persona protected, “the phenom” became a well-respected veteran. Therefore, when the Undertaker gracefully left his legendary coat, hat, and gloves in the centre of the ring at Wrestlemania 33, a sinking feeling had fallen upon the wrestling world.

However, while some of the WWE Universe considers Undertaker’s Wrestlemania 33 curtain call a perfect way for “the phenom” to retire, others debate that his lacklustre match against Roman Reigns was an unacceptable way to end one of the greatest careers in WWE history. If the rumours are true, WWE could be planning an emotional send-off that would suit a pioneer like the Undertaker. Therefore, the Royal Rumble is the perfect place for WWE to start implementing that potential dreamlike plan.

The Undertaker and the number 30 spot at the Royal Rumble are synonymous at this point. Four times “the phenom” has entered the multi-man brawl at number 30 and has even won the spectacular 30-man battle royal in the same spot back in 2007. However, when the Undertaker had entered the 2017 Royal Rumble match at number 29, the physical effects of his nearly 30-year lengthy career had taken on his body was on full display.

Instead of WWE making “the phenom’s” Royal Rumble appearance a drawn-out performance, the creative team should utilize a rare appearance by the Undertaker in the Royal Rumble to kick-off his rumoured dream feud with John Cena. While a dream match with Cena will not elevate “big match John” any further, the programme would be a fitting end to Undertakers legendary career.

#5 Daniel Bryan

Will WWE finally give Daniel Bryan the chance to wrestle again in time for the 2018 Royal Rumble?

Daniel Bryan had walked through the curtain at Wrestlemania 28 knowing two things; he would lose his World Title to Sheamus and it would happen in an outrageous 18 seconds. But what Daniel Bryan would not imagine that hopping to the ring and thrusting his hands up in the air, would slowly make him the hottest babyface in wrestling.

From there on out, "the yes man’s" repeated failures in WWE were meant to bury him and his scorching hot rise. However, the WWE Universe’s consistent determination to see “the American dragon” to the top had toppled any Wrestlemania plans without the beloved baby-face. The yes movement made the company alter their main event plans and Daniel Bryan had finally become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. However, “the miracle of Bourbon Street” wouldn’t last long.

Bryan’s legendary wrestling career had come to an unfortunate halt as the wear and tear factor of wrestling for more than 17 years had resulted in an injury to the former World Champion. Delivering a passionate retirement speech on Raw back in 2016, Bryan was grateful for his time in the business and had supposedly hung up his boots. Almost 2 years later and the speculation of Bryan's return to the squared circle is a hotly debated topic.

Over the past few years, Bryan’s involvement in the Royal Rumble was controversial. Daniel Bryan entering the 2018 Royal Rumble at number 30 would set up an interesting dynamic on the road to "the show of shows".

Bryan has stated in a recent interview that if he does not wrestle with Wrestlemania 34 he will leave WWE once and for all. Whether "The American Dragon" faces Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles or Shane McMahon at Wrestlemania 34, “the yes man's” megastar presence can once again force WWE to alter their Wrestlemania plans.

The only thing bigger than any of these returns on this list would be if a certain Best in the World decided to make the comeback of the decade at the Rumble. Wishful thinking? Never say never!