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The 2019 Royal Rumble PPV emanates from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona this Sunday. In addition to the annual men's match, this year will see the second version of the match for the women of WWE.
As of today, the following women have been listed as entrants:
Carmella, Natalya, Bayley, Ember Moon, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Alicia Fox, Zelina Vega, Mickie James, Naomi, Charlotte Flair, Tamina, Nikki Cross, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Lana, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans
That makes 23 confirmed participants for the women's match, leaving seven openings for WWE legends, NXT call-ups and other surprises for the match.
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Just who will those women be? Here are predictions for the remaining spots in the match. There are several possibilities but only seven spots. Will someone pull double duty? Will an NXT wrestler appear on both NXT Takeover: Phoenix and the Royal Rumble?
Kairi Sane
This is one of the predictions that could be most likely to happen. Sane has had her time with the NXT Women's Title and is currently out of the picture at present.
She has recently been teaming with Io Shirai in tag-team matches at house shows as well as recent NXT episodes. Since she has practically done all that she can in NXT, the next logical step is to enter this year's Rumble match. Having participated last year, it would make plenty of sense for her to appear once more.
It would hopefully signal a permanent spot on the main roster for her, but with the recent announcement of the Women's Tag Team Titles, she might be more slated for a call-up after WrestleMania.
They may want to test out the tag-team potential of Sane and Shirai first before calling up the Pirate Princess. Shirai will likely challenge Shayna Baszler at some point should the former UFC fighter retain at NXT Takeover: Phoenix - so this tag team might just be to kill time between a potential feud arising.
Michelle McCool
Michelle McCool has three things in her favour when it comes to her relationship with the WWE. The first is that of the 'Divas' Era', she was one of few women who was actually good in the ring. There were others too, but she was certainly one of the better performers.
Another factor is that she left on good terms and will always be welcomed back. That netted her a spot in last year's Rumble match - while she also recently stated that she'd love to come back and chase the Women's Tag Team titles.
The third factor is that she is married to the Undertaker, quite possibly Vince McMahon's favorite superstar of all-time. 'Taker has been the most loyal of WWE employees and Mr. McMahon has shown him the same respect and loyalty.
Add all those factors together and it wouldn't be a surprise to see one of the members of LayCool returning tomorrow for another Rumble appearance.
Bianca Belair
Will Bianca Belair stay 'un-duh-feet-ed' after Takeover: Phoenix? It's quite possible. She's been built up as a force to be reckoned with and her streak is proof of that.
Some shenanigans might prevent her from winning the the NXT Women's Title, but she's more than ready for a spot in the Royal Rumble. She was a part of the first-ever Women's WrestleMania Battle Royal and that was even before being pushed towards the title picture.
Her 'number of Performance Center records' have been mentioned more than once on NXT TV, so the Rumble would be an easy way to play on those. Belair could easily throw people out of the ring with her gorilla press, and she'd more than likely whip a few ladies with her hair.
With a new class of recruits slated to start at the Performance Center next month and some of those women slated to appear on NXT, Belair is one name that could also complete the step-up onto the main roster very soon.
Rhea Ripley
Another NXT woman who has had a fast and productive start to her WWE career is Rhea Ripley. While many thought Toni Storm would be the first-ever NXT UK Women's Champion, it was Ripley who topped Storm in the tournament finals.
Although Storm did take the title from Ripley at Takeover: Blackpool, Ripley is still one of the top women on that brand - while also having appearances on NXT television. Being one of the more recognizable faces from both brands, it would be easy to have her show up in the match in order to familiarize her with fans who might not be familiar with her.
She's a legitimately tough woman and it would be interesting to see her interact with other powerhouses like Nia Jax and Dana Brooke. Ripley is someone that the NXT UK brand might be built around more, so this could simply be a one-off appearance a la Sane last year.
Victoria
Victoria, Tara, Lisa Maria Varon or however you know her, is one of the few women from the early-to-mid 2000s who has yet to make a return during the resurgence of women's wrestling in the WWE.
Her contemporaries like Molly Holly, Trish Stratus, Lita and Ivory have already made appearances within the last two years, so it is more than time for her to make an appearance in the Rumble.
She has stated that at 47, she'll be retiring from in-ring work this year. I don't think she has any bad blood with the WWE, but perhaps that could be why she hasn't been asked to return yet.
As Tara in TNA, she had good rivalries with the likes of Gail Kim, the Beautiful People and Mickie James, so her ability to go and perform isn't in question. It's time for her to return for a final WWE appearance.
Mia Yim
Like Victoria, Mia Yim had a strong run in Impact Wrestling as Jade. She was a member of the Dollhouse with Taryn Terrell and Marti Belle.
But when the faction broke up, she went her own way and had great matches with Gail Kim, Belle, Mickie James and Rosemary. She appeared in last year's Mae Young Classic and signed with WWE shortly thereafter. Since she is already so polished in the ring, she doesn't need much time in NXT.
A good way to get her in front of the WWE Universe would be to have her as a surprise entrant in this year's rumble. She's technically sound, exciting and would get a pop from the fans who follow pro wrestling and not just WWE.
If she isn't slated for a big run in NXT, it might be better to have her appear on the main roster sooner rather than later. With the tag-team titles coming in February, it might create more opportunities for women to move up to the main roster.
Toni Storm
Like Rhea Ripley, Storm is familiar to the WWE Universe due to her work in NXT, NXT UK and the Mae Young Classic.
She's still so young but so talented and has captured gold all around the world. Now that she's the reigning NXT UK Women's Champion, her time in the near future will likely be used to help build the women's division of that brand.
While she's still probably a while away from the main roster in WWE, she could definitely show up for a Royal Rumble appearance.
The hardcore fans know who she is, love her and it won't be long for the rest of the WWE Universe to follow their lead. She could even have a decent run in the match that could set up a future storyline for whenever she joins the main roster.
Becky Lynch
People love The Man and probably won't be happy when/if she loses to Asuka. They'd be even more upset if she lost to Asuka, entered the Royal Rumble and failed to win it.
She's been the Daniel Bryan of the last eight months but has always been popular. If she doesn't enter the Rumble and win it, the fans might boo whoever wins (Charlotte Flair).
The rumors have pegged Lynch for either a one-on-one match with Ronda Rousey or a triple-threat match with Rousey and Flair at WrestleMania 35. While a singles match is the way to go, WWE will want to add Flair to the mix, especially if the women get to main event the show.
But having Becky do double duty would be wise for WWE in order to capitalize on her popularity. Several superstars have done it in the past, including Roman Reigns a couple years ago.
The results of both matches might not meet the fans' expectations like when Bryan was omitted from the match in 2014 and Batista won. Whatever happens or doesn't happen, the Man should be in the rumble match.
