WWE Royal Rumble Rumors: Possible Superstar returns, Will Roman Reigns be at the Rumble?

The 2019 edition of the WWE Royal Rumble will take place from Chase Field in Phoenix Arizona in a little more than two weeks. We have two Royal Rumble matches on the card as is the norm now as well as a huge Universal Championship match between Brock Lesnar and Finn Balor as well as the WWE Championship match between Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles.

The RAW Women's Championship will be fought for as Ronda Rousey defends against 'The Boss' Sasha Banks. On the blue side, Asuka will defend against Becky Lynch.

#5 Why Braun Strowman was replaced

Finn Balor will now face Brock Lesnar

Braun Strowman was taken out of his Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar last week on RAW after Strowman wrecked Mr. McMahon's limo while chasing Baron Corbin. Finn Balor, John Cena, Baron Corbin and Drew McIntyre faced off in a Fatal-4-Way match later that night and Balor won the match to win the right to face Braun Strowman at the Rumble.

According to rumors, WWE decided to pull Braun Strowman from the match to protect him. The view is that another loss to Lesnar could hurt Strowman's credibility which begs the question, why did the book the match in the first place. Strowman is fit again so injury cannot be a reason for him being pulled out.

#4 Update on a potential return for Kevin Owens

Will Kevin Owens return as soon as at the Rumble?

Despite early reports that Kevin Owens was close to return and could come back at the Royal Rumble, it now looks like that isn't the case. Reports on Owens' recovery suggest that he isn't fully healed yet and that WWE were more likely to reintroduce him after WrestleMania 35.

#3 Lars Sullivan

Will Lars Sullivan appear at the Rumble?

Lars Sullivan was reportedly set for a massive program against John Cena only to suffer a nervous breakdown before RAW and then being forced to fly home. With the Cena program not starting the way WWE had planned, WWE could have Lars Sullivan enter the Royal Rumble and throw John Cena out.

However, one wrinkle on this rumor is the fact that Cena is "injured" and may not compete at the Royal Rumble tomorrow.

#2 Rumor killer on Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns will not be at the Rumble

No, Roman Reigns will NOT be at the Royal Rumble.

There were some early baseless rumors that Roman Reigns was doing a lot better and was ready to return and this would somehow happen as soon as tomorrow in the men's Royal Rumble match.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider squashed these rumors, saying:

"A couple of names that we have talked about, primarily Roman Reigns… I am told Roman Reigns will not be there this weekend. He was never involved with any creative plans.

We are told he’s actually in Hawaii so he’s not going to be physically at the Royal Rumble…All signs are Roman Reigns will not be at the Royal Rumble this weekend in any way shape or form."

#1 Royal Rumble match surprises

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This is the big one - potential surprises that WWE have planned for the Royal Rumble.

There are a number of returns that WWE reportedly have planned. These include Bray Wyatt as well as former RAW General Manager Kurt Angle. Another Superstar who could return is former NXT Champion Sami Zayn who has recovered from injury.

Speaking of NXT, let's take a look at a few NXT Superstars who could appear in the Royal Rumble match. The two big ones are Velveteen Dream and Adam Cole. Another possible entrant is whoever leaves NXT TakeOver: Phoenix as the NXT Champion - seeing that last year Andrade 'Cien' Almas made an appearance as NXT Champion.

For the women's Rumble, Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane are strong possibilities as Rumble entrants. Another possible entrant is either Toni Storm or Rhea Ripley to represent NXT UK.