Every Rumoured WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Surprise

The Royal Rumble remains one of WWE's most celebrated matches, partly due to the possibility that absolutely anyone could make their way to the ring as one of the 30 entrants in the over-the-top battle royal. WWE have played into the unpredictable nature of the match over the years, providing both memorable and lacklustre surprises in past Rumbles.

A number of high-profile names have already been officially announced for the Royal Rumble matches, including John Cena, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk on the men's side, while Charlotte Flair will make her return after a long layoff in the Women's Royal Rumble.

There is still plenty of space for a few surprises, though, and the rumour mill has already thrown up several names who could be appearing at Royal Rumble 2025 on Saturday, February 1.

This is every rumoured WWE Royal Rumble 2025 surprise.

1. Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch has been gone from WWE TV since her contract expired in June 2024, with the multi-time women's champion opting to take a break from the industry.

That break appears to be almost over, though, as reports in early January noted that Lynch had agreed to a new WWE deal. Lynch was expected to make her return during the WWE Raw on Netflix premiere on January 6 but 'The Man' wasn't present on the show. It was still noted, however, that she was planned to make her comeback in the coming weeks.

Weeks have since passed and it appears WWE may choose to have Lynch make her return in the Royal Rumble, with some speculating that she could be involved in a major match at WrestleMania 41.

Lynch is backstage at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Her husband is Seth Rollins, though, so she could just be visiting.

2. Jordynne Grace

The worst-kept secret in wrestling is that Jordynne Grace is set to become a full-time wrestler with WWE.

The three-time TNA Knockouts World Champion has already made several appearances for WWE, including in last year's Royal Rumble where she made her debut in the company. Grace remained signed to TNA Wrestling across her WWE main roster and NXT appearances but that is no longer the case.

Grace finished up with TNA at Genesis on January 19 and reports have since noted she has signed a multi-year deal with WWE. She is even scheduled to be in Indianapolis for Royal Rumble weekend and the belief within the company is that she will be competing in the Women's Royal Rumble Match on February 1.

3. AJ Styles

The latter half of 2024 was somewhat cursed for AJ Styles. The former WWE Champion only had one televised match in the company after losing to Cody Rhodes at June's Clash at the Castle pay-per-view and that match - against Carmelo Hayes on the October 4 episode of SmackDown - saw Styles pick up a foot injury.

Styles has been off WWE TV ever since but he could soon be making his return, with reports noting that he is in Indianapolis for the Royal Rumble and WWE are hopeful he will be cleared to compete in the Men's Royal Rumble Match.

Styles made his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble and 'The Phenomenal One' may be a surprise in another Rumble nine years on.

4. Joe Hendry

Someone could be uttering the words 'Say his name' during the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble Match as Joe Hendry has been heavily rumoured to be a surprise competitor on February 1.

Hendry first teased in late 2024 that he might be in the 2025 Rumble and the new TNA World Champion is already scheduled to be in Indianapolis over Royal Rumble weekend as he will be a part of WrestleCon.

Reports have also noted that a top TNA star has been pitched to work the Men's Royal Rumble Match and there is no TNA star bigger than the reigning TNA World Champion.

Hendry has already proven popular with the WWE audience and he was well received throughout his 2024 run in NXT which saw him even main event NXT No Mercy with Ethan Page.

Since then, WWE and TNA have formalised their working relationship, announcing a multi-year partnership in early January.

5. Nikki Bella

Although she hasn't been specifically linked with a return at the Royal Rumble, multiple reports in recent weeks have noted that Nikki Bella is expected to make a full return to WWE and her wrestling is on the table.

Bella has held talks with WWE about a comeback and the former Divas Champion has already been training inside the squared circle ahead of possibly wrestling again.

Bella was recently shown on WWE TV as one of the special guests at the Raw on Netflix premiere. Her last match in the company was at the 2022 Royal Rumble and the Rumble continues to be an excellent spot to bring in a talent for a surprise return.

6. Omos

Omos has barely been featured on WWE programming since Triple H took over creative and the former Raw Tag Team Champion hasn't had a match that isn't a battle royal in WWE since May 2023 when he lost to Seth Rollins at Backlash.

The Nigerian Giant remains popular with WWE fans, though, and he has been featured prominently in Pro Wrestling NOAH since the start of 2025.

Omos immediately captured gold in the promotion, winning the GHC Tag Team Titles with Jack Morris on January 1 with a win over NOAH legends Naomichi Marufuji and Takashi Sugiura.

Omos then remained dominant in NOAH and even pinned the promotion's ace Kaito Kiyomiya in a tag team match on January 25. Having vanquished everyone in his path so far, though, Omos relinquished the GHC Tag Team Championships and announced he would be returning to WWE.

Is Omos announcing he would be returning to WWE within the last week just a coincidence? It certainly appears not as he is backstage at the Royal Rumble.

7. Alexa Bliss

Had issues not arisen, Alexa Bliss would already be back on WWE TV as the former Raw Women's Champion was reportedly planned for a return on the January 13 episode of Monday Night Raw.

Those plans fell through, however, after representatives of Bliss wanted to begin talks over a new contract for the 33-year-old, while WWE expected Bliss to make her comeback under the terms of her existing deal.

Both sides dug in which led to a contract stand but that now appears to be over as PWInsider has reported that Alexa Bliss is backstage at Lucas Oil Stadium and is now expected to appear in the Royal Rumble.

8. Malakai Black

Malakai Black returning to WWE appears to be an inevitability after he finished up with All Elite Wrestling and Black himself has even teased he will be in the Royal Rumble, posting an image on social media of him watching a classic Rumble.

Black returning in the WWE Royal Rumble is highly unlikely, however. While he is done with AEW, Black won't be a free agent in time for the Men's Royal Rumble Match. Reports have noted his deal doesn't expire until sometime in February or March.

This ultimately means a return ahead of or just after WrestleMania 41 is more likely for the former NXT Champion.

9. AJ Lee

AJ Lee hasn't wrestled for WWE since 2015 but the former Divas Champion hasn't been away from pro wrestling completely over the past 10 years, having worked for WOW - Women of Wrestling as a producer and colour commentator between 2021 and 2023.

Speculation continues to be rife about Lee stepping back inside the squared circle and her husband CM Punk has once again teased a Royal Rumble appearance for Lee. After he was asked by Jackie Redmond about who he would like to see in the Rumble, Punk said: "Oh, there's a big one that I'm not going to say because I'm gonna get in trouble."

Punk stated in late 2024 that he believes AJ Lee's desire to return to WWE has increased since he made his own comeback at Survivor Series 2023. WWE would reportedly be interested in bringing the now-comic book writer back to the company.

A psychic also predicted to Cultaholic's Ross Twedell that Lee would make her return in the Rumble, so make of that what you will.

10. Trish Stratus

Trish Stratus is seemingly likely to at least appear at the Royal Rumble premium live event/pay-per-view as she is planned to be in Indianapolis this weekend, according to WrestleVotes.

"I know it's been discussed. I know she will be in Indianapolis, I know WWE is bringing her in. I don't know specifically if it is for a Rumble appearance but I know it's been discussed. There's only so many women's legends they can call on, especially those that can still do it, and she's one of them. So if she's willing and they're willing, I'd say better than a good shot she's there," WrestleVotes said on Backstage Pass.

Stratus hasn't wrestled in WWE since her programme with Becky Lynch ended with a Steel Cage Match loss at Payback 2023. She last appeared in WWE as the host of Money in the Bank 2024.

11. Matt Cardona

Matt Cardona hasn't stepped inside a WWE ring since his release from the company in 2020. That could be set to change on Saturday night, however, as people outside of WWE have claimed the former Zack Ryder is slated to make an appearance at the Royal Rumble.

Cardona's wife Chelsea Green is currently a part of WWE as the reigning Women's United States Champion, while Cardona has wrestled for the likes of AEW/ROH, GCW, and TNA in the past couple of months.

12. NXT Talents

WWE NXT talents have been a regular presence in the Royal Rumble for several years and the likes of Tiffany Stratton, Bron Breakker, Roxanne Perez, and Carmelo Hayes were part of the Royal Rumble matches in 2024.

It appears the Men's Royal Rumble could have very few NXT talents but Trick Williams is in Indianapolis, according to Fightful Select. For the Women's Rumble, Stephanie Vaquer, Jaida Parker, Lash Legend, and Roxanne Perez have all been spotted in Indianapolis.

13. Rhino

Someone could be getting a GORE in the Men's Royal Rumble Match.

Rhino is in Indianapolis for WrestleCon but the former Rhyno was spotted at the WWE hotel on Friday night and he was greeted by WWE Talent Relations, PWInsider has reported. Rhino was then whisked away to a more private arena of the hotel.

Rhino hasn't wrestled for WWE since 2019 and he was a part of TNA Wrestling until late 2024, but he exited the promotion when they asked for him to take a pay cut in a new TNA deal.