The 2024 edition of WWE’s Royal Rumble is right around the corner. One of the reasons fans look forward to this show each year is propensity for it to feature not only major surprises across the field of 60 Rumble participants between the men’s and women’s versions of the matches, but also surprises of consequence given this PPV also kicks off the Road to WrestleMania.
There is an especially high volume of speculation this year. There’s the possibility of noteworthy clashes within each Rumble match, as well as a number of talents poised to return from injury or other absences from WWE. Moreover, there are NXT talents who could be very interesting to add to the main roster mix right about now.
A Cody Rhodes Vs. CM Punk Encounter
One of the bigger dream matches WWE currently has its disposal is Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk. The only encounters between the two have come in tag team situations and battle royals, besides a couple of forgettable singles bouts on Raw before either man had attained main event status in WWE.
A proper feud between Rhodes and Punk doesn’t necessarily make much sense for the next few months. Assuming they both stay healthy, Punk appears to be on a collision course with Seth Rollins for WrestleMania, besides teasing a feud with Drew McIntyre. Meanwhile, The American Nightmare has unfinished business with Roman Reigns.
The Royal Rumble affords a natural spot for these two to face off though, perhaps working together or, all the more appealing, trading some moves to hint at an eventual destiny with one another going one-on-one on a big stage. The pairing is all the more intriguing because these two are on the short list of legit contenders to win this year’s men’s Royal Rumble, and given how Punk called out Rhodes recently on Raw.
Ava Raine Gets Established On The Main Roster
Despite her inexperience and not having the most prominent placement in NXT, The Rock’s daughter, Ava Raine, has had a great deal of intrigue around her since she signed with WWE. The 2024 Royal Rumble would provide an interesting platform to more formally introduce her to the main roster audience.
On one hand, there’s a low stakes opportunity for Raine to participate in the women’s Royal Rumble. WWE has, on quite a few occasions, had developmental prospects make one-off main roster appearances to work in this spot. This role both makes fans aware of an up-and-comer and gives them a proving ground working in front of a larger audience than usual.
On the other hand, The Rock’s recent appearance on WWE Raw brought up its share of speculation about his involvement moving forward with WWE, up to and including main eventing WrestleMania opposite Roman Reigns. With Rock’s own daughter in the company and one of the few people tied to the Anoa’I family who is not already in the Bloodline story, it could be pretty fascinating to introduce her as a point of intrigue, perhaps with Rock and Reigns dueling for her loyalties.
A Protected Appearance From Gable Steveson
Gable Steveson was a white-hot prospect when WWE signed him fresh off winning a gold medal in wrestling in the Olympics. Unfortunately, both from what fans have been able to observe from his on-screen appearances to date and from the rumor mill coming out of the Performance Center, it seems he hasn’t picked up pro wrestling as quickly as one would hope.
Still, he has worked house show matches in NXT, and more recently dark matches before SmackDown tapings, all of which suggests WWE hasn’t given up on him and may even be looking at introducing him on the blue brand in the near future. The Royal Rumble would be a natural spot to have him show up, hit a few belly-to-belly suplexes, and remind fans he’s around before someone sneaks in an elimination or the numbers game catches up to him.
The Return Of Andrade
Andrade’s AEW contract ran out at the end of 2023, as confirmed by Tony Khan in the media scrum after the Worlds End PPV, making him an intriguing free agent. His previous WWE run ended in frustration when he didn’t get much of a push on the main roster.
With Triple H now in charge of WWE creative though, and the history of Helmsley pushing Andrade in NXT, there might be a friendlier landscape for the luchador to return to the company now. That’s in addition to him having married WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair last year.
Rey Mysterio Tends To Unfinished Business
Rey Mysterio has been out of action due to a knee injury. While there’s no definitive word on when he’ll be ready to get back in the ring, most of the early forecasts suggested he should be healed up by mid-January.
Mysterio is a fan favorite, sure to get a good pop for a surprise return in the Royal Rumble. Moreover, there are multiple roles he could naturally play upon coming back. The most obvious route would be for him to seek revenge on Santos Escobar and company who, in kayfabe, were responsible for his absence.
Mysterio has also commented on wanting to work an eventual hair vs. hair match with his son Dominik. The father returning to spoil the son’s Rumble could set the wheels in motion for that big-time gimmick match at WrestleMania this year.
There are plenty of possibilities for how this year’s Royal Rumble PPV could play out. That includes other rumors around prospective returns for Naomi or Liv Morgan, and speculation about whether some of Sean Waltman’s social media posts may be hinting at an appearance. Regardless, it seems fans can be certain there’s an entertaining show in store, and that it will have at least few twists and turns.
