5 unexpected names that could appear at WWE Royal Rumble 2025

WWE Royal Rumble 2025 will air live on February 1, 2025, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The winners of the Men's and Women's Royal Rumble matches will earn a title shot at WrestleMania 41.

Cody Rhodes and Bayley won the Royal Rumble matches earlier this year and went on to become champions at WrestleMania XL. There are typically some surprise entrants at the Royal Rumble, and some big names could show up at the event this year.

Listed below are five names who could make a surprise appearance next February.

#5. Chris Masters could make his triumphant WWE return

Chris Masters was released by WWE in 2011. The veteran's final match in the company was a loss to Jack Swagger on the August 1, 2011, edition of WWE Superstars. The veteran recently teased a potential comeback to the company, and it could finally happen next year.

Masters could make his triumphant return to the company during the Men's Royal Rumble match in 2025. The 41-year-old will likely not emerge victorious, but it would be a great moment for fans hoping to see the veteran get the chance to appear in the company once again.

#4. Layla could compete in the Women's Royal Rumble

Layla is a legend in the professional wrestling business and has not competed in a match since 2015. Her last match was a loss to Paige, now known as Saraya in All Elite Wrestling, at a WWE Live Event almost a decade ago.

The veteran is a former Divas Champion and was also part of a popular tag team with Michelle McCool known as LayCool. McCool has competed in three Women's Royal Rumble matches, and the company may decide to book Layla as a surprise entrant this year.

#3. AJ Lee could finally return to the company during the Women's Royal Rumble match

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2013 - Day 3 - Source: Getty

AJ Lee has not wrestled since 2015, but fans are still clamoring for her return to the ring. The former champion is married to CM Punk in real life, and The Second City Saint made his return to WWE last year at Survivor Series after his tumultuous run in All Elite Wrestling came to an end.

Lee remains very popular among wrestling fans and would receive a thunderous ovation if she were to make her return to the ring. The Women's Royal Rumble match would be a great time for the veteran to return and potentially start a storyline heading into WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas.

#2. Lita could compete in the Women's Royal Rumble

Lita returned to the company last year for a brief reign as Women's Tag Team Champions alongside Becky Lynch. However, Trish Stratus betrayed the duo and entered a lengthy rivalry with The Man that culminated in a Steel Cage match at WWE Payback 2023.

The Hall of Famer could return during the Women's Royal Rumble match next February to begin one final run in the company. The veteran could potentially compete in her final match at WrestleMania 41 next year as well.

#1. The Rock may be a surprise entrant in the Men's Royal Rumble

Monday Night RAW - Source: Getty

The Rock confronted Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes on the RAW following WrestleMania XL. The American Nightmare defeated Roman Reigns in the main event of The Show of Shows to capture the title, and The Final Boss warned Rhodes that he would be coming after him.

The Brahma Bull may be a surprise entrant in the Men's Royal Rumble match and could potentially emerge victorious. The Rock would then go on to challenge Cody Rhodes for the title at WWE WrestleMania 41, potentially furthering his conflict with Roman Reigns as well.