Possible Major Spoiler For The WWE Royal Rumble Tonight
Former WWE Divas Champion Paige is reportedly cleared to return to the ring and will be a surprise entrant in the Women's Royal Rumble Match later tonight, according to a new report from WrestlingNews.co.
Paige has expressed interest in returning to the ring in recent months, but it remains to be seen if she is actually cleared for tonight's Rumble Match as this was not reported by any additional source. The report noted that there's no confirmation on if this is just a one-off appearance or if Paige is back full-time. She previously revealed that her current contract expires in June of this year, but it's possible that she's signed a new deal since then.
It was reported earlier that WWE brought several extra names to St. Louis this weekend as back-ups in case other wrestlers were unable to pass COVID-19 medical protocols before working the matches. WWE held a Women's Rumble rehearsal on Friday night with well over 30 women participating, but there's been no word of Paige getting in the ring last night, so this should be taken as a rumor for now. If Paige is booked to return tonight, WWE would put extra effort into keeping the return a secret.
Paige has been out of action since being forced to retire in 2018 after suffering a neck injury at a December 2017 WWE live event. She has often teased a ring return or expressed interest in wrestling again.
As we've noted, some of the rumored and/or planned names going around for The Rumble this weekend are Paige, Jillian Hall, Kaitlyn, WWE Hall of Famer Ivory, Aksana, WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, Cameron, Melina, Shane McMahon, rapper Bad Bunny, Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Ronda Rousey. There will also be some WWE NXT Superstars in town for the event, including NXT Champion Bron Breakker, Gunther and Raquel Gonzalez, among others.
Remember to join us tonight for live Rumble coverage from The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, beginning at 7pm ET with the Kickoff pre-show. The current announced card for tonight looks like this:
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
Johnny Knoxville, Austin Theory, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, Sheamus, WWE United States Champion Damian Priest, AJ Styles, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Sami Zayn, Madcap Moss, Happy Baron Corbin, Kevin Owens, Omos, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Randy Orton, Riddle, RAW Tag Team Champion Otis, RAW Tag Team Champion Chad Gable, Ricochet, Rick Boogs, WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, 5 Superstars TBA
30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, WWE Hall of Famer Brie Bella, Shotzi, Natalya, Michelle McCool, WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke, WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Carmella, WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Queen Zelina Vega, Impact Knockouts Champion Mickie James, Tamina Snuka, Kelly Kelly, Aliyah, Summer Rae, Naomi, Shayna Baszler, WWE Hall of Famer Lita, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Sasha Banks, Sonya Deville, 7 participants TBA
WWE Title Match
Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar (c)
WWE Universal Title Match
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns (c)
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos are banned from ringside.
RAW Women's Title Match
Doudrop vs. Becky Lynch (c)
Mixed Tag Team Match
WWE Hall of Famers Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz and Maryse