Tonight’s WWE RAW saw several Superstars confirmed for the women’s and the men’s Royal Rumble matches that will take place later this month.

Bayley, Sasha Banks, Paige, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville were confirmed for the first-ever women’s match while Finn Balor was confirmed for the men’s Rumble match.

Below is the updated card for the Royal Rumble, which takes place on January 28th from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, coming out of tonight’s RAW:

30-Man Royal Rumble Match
John Cena, Elias, Finn Balor, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, TBA

30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
Asuka, Naomi, Ruby Riott, Natalya, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Paige, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, TBA

Triple Threat for the WWE Universal Title
Kane vs. Braun Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar

WWE United States Title Tournament Finals
Bobby Roode or Zack Ryder or Mojo Rawley vs. Jinder Mahal or Xavier Woods or Aiden English

Mojo Rawley earned a spot in the WWE Royal Rumble Match by winning a battle royal on tonight’s SmackDown from Toledo.

Also announced for the Rumble is Mickie James, Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and Natalya vs. Becky Lynch, Nikki Bella and Naomi.

Below is the updated card for Sunday’s Royal Rumble PPV from San Antonio:

– 30 Man Royal Rumble Match with Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, The Miz, Dean Ambrose, Sami Zayn, Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman, Big E, Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Big Show, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, Sheamus, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Luke Harper, Big Cass, Rusev, Mojo Rawley

– AJ Styles defends the WWE Championship against John Cena

– Kevin Owens defends the WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns while Chris Jericho hangs above in a shark cage

– Charlotte defends the RAW Women’s Championship against Bayley

– Rich Swann defends the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Neville

– Mickie James returns to PPV teaming with SmackDown Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and Natalya to take on Naomi, Nikki Bella and Becky Lynch

– Cesaro and Sheamus defend the RAW Tag Team Championships against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on the pre-show

– Nia Jax and Sasha Banks do battle on the pre-show

Nikki Bella, Naomi and Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James, Natalya and SmackDown Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss has been added to Sunday’s WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view from The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Below is the updated Rumble card coming out of tonight’s go-home SmackDown:

WWE Title Match
John Cena vs. AJ Styles

No DQ Match for the WWE Universal Title
Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens
WWE United States Champion Chris Jericho will be hanging above the ring in a shark cage.

RAW Women’s Title Match
Bayley vs. Charlotte

WWE Cruiserweight Title Match
Neville vs. Rich Swann

30-Man Royal Rumble Match
Brock Lesnar, Bill Goldberg, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Big E, WWE United States Champion Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, The Undertaker, The Miz, WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose, RAW Tag Team Champion Cesaro, RAW Tag Team Champion Sheamus, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Luke Harper, Big Show, Sami Zayn, Big Cass, Rusev, Mojo Rawley

Nikki Bella, Naomi and Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James, Natalya and SmackDown Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss

Kickoff Pre-show Match
Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

Kickoff Pre-show Match for the RAW Tag Team Titles
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Cesaro and Sheamus
There will be two referees.

Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE Universal Championship at Sunday’s Royal Rumble PPV will now be a No DQ match.

WWE has also added Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax to the Royal Rumble pre-show on Sunday.

Below is the updated card for the Royal Rumble after developments on tonight’s RAW:

– 30 Man Royal Rumble Match with Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, The Miz, Dean Ambrose, Sami Zayn, Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman, Big E, Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Big Show, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, Sheamus, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Luke Harper, Big Cass, Rusev

– AJ Styles defends the WWE Championship against John Cena

– Kevin Owens defends the WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns while Chris Jericho hangs above in a shark cage

– Charlotte defends the RAW Women’s Championship against Bayley

– Rich Swann defends the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Neville

– Cesaro and Sheamus defend the RAW Tag Team Championships against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on the pre-show

– Nia Jax and Sasha Banks do battle on the pre-show

The 2 hour WWE Royal Rumble Kickoff Pre-show on Sunday will see RAW Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus defend against Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.

Below is the updated card for Sunday’s PPV from The Alamodome:

– 30 Man Royal Rumble Match with Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, The Miz, Dean Ambrose, Sami Zayn, Chris Jericho, Braun Strowman, Big E, Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Big Show, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, Sheamus, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Luke Harper

– AJ Styles defends the WWE Championship against John Cena

– Kevin Owens defends the WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns while Chris Jericho hangs above in a shark cage

– Charlotte defends the RAW Women’s Championship against Bayley

– Rich Swann defends the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Neville

– Cesaro and Sheamus defend the RAW Tag Team Championships against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on the pre-show

– As previously reported, the early estimates have this year’s WWE Royal Rumble selling 445,000 pay-per-views. The breakdown is 285,000 domestic (North American) buys and 160,000 international buys.

We also noted that this year’s WWE Elimination Chamber sold 203,000 buys on pay-per-view. The breakdown for that show has 156,000 domestic buys and 47,000 international.

– In a bit of a small “where are they now?” type of update, former WWE Diva Stacy “The Kat” Carter, who was at one time the real-life wife of WWE Hall Of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, is now working as an insurance agent at Florida, Life, Health and Annuities.

The early estimates are in for the WWE Royal Rumble and WWE Elimination Chamber 2014 pay-per-views.

The WWE Royal Rumble show, which took place on Sunday, January 26, 2014, is estimated at selling 445,000 pay-per-views.

The WWE Elimination Chamber show, which took place on Sunday, February 23, 2014, is estimated at selling 203,000 pay-per-views.

Both numbers are the worldwide figures. As of right now, we don’t have the domestic number available.

The following are highlights from a recent Jim Ross Q&A update:

On overcoming Bells Palsy to continue his on-camera career: “Thanks for reading my blog and for the insight. None of us should allow something like Bells palsy define us.”

On why WWE has 30 men in the Royal Rumble when only a handful of guys could potentially win: “I think perhaps this matter is being a little over thought. A 30 man show biz presentation seems to work ok. Enjoy the presentation and the ride. The same could or can be said of many matches.”

On if he feels Kurt Angle could pass the WWE physical for a potential WWE return: “I’m not a doctor nor do I know the extent of Kurt’s physical ailments, so I have no way of answering your question with any degree of accuracy. I’d hope that he could.”

On if WWE should bring back the “squash match” formula: “I have no issues with enhancement matches. I’d much rather see long arcing story lines return. Longer term planning generally equates to greater success.”

On his guesses for possible WrestleMania XXX matches: “I see Batista vs his former teammate Orton & Lesnar attempting to beat The Streak. Just one man’s take on the matter.”

On if he feels WWE will ever turn John Cena heel: “I don’t see Cena turning. He sells too much merch and is a fantastic spokesman for WWE. There’s no reason to flip him.”

Check out more Q&A updates from Jim Ross online at JRsBarBQ.com.

– WWE Hall Of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper recently tweeted the following:

WMXXX PUT HOGAN IN PIPER'S PIT, FREE FORM! ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO RUN IN?? BRING IT ON!!! A NIGHT YOU WON'T FORGET!! @PROMISE

— Rowdy Roddy Piper (@R_Roddy_Piper) January 23, 2014

– Chris Jericho posted the following tease for Sunday’s Royal Rumble on his official Twitter account:

Headed to Pittsburgh to rock the World Of Wheels at Lawrence Convention Center TODAY from 12-3pm! Let's get ready to rumble Jerichoholics!

— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) January 25, 2014

The following are highlights of a recent interview with Pat Patterson. In the interview, Patterson discusses the origins of the Royal Rumble match concept.

On Vince McMahon’s initial reaction to the Royal Rumble match concept: “I used to talk to Vince [McMahon] about the Royal Rumble idea, even though I didn’t call it by that name, and Vince couldn’t visualize that.”

On pitching the idea to NBC executive Dick Ebersole: “I described what the concept would be and Dick Ebersol went crazy. He loved it. He said, ‘That would be so great for live television. Every two minutes another wrestler comes running in and you don’t know who it is until you hear the buzzer!’ So Vince went, ‘You’re on your own. You’re going to have to do it yourself. You’re going to have to produce it.’ Holy crap. It sounded good in my head, but to put it together was another story.”

Check out the complete interview online at WWE.com.

The following are highlights from a recent interview with WWE Hall Of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan:

On winning the first ever WWE Royal Rumble match: “It was really exciting and that is kind of my claim to fame, something a lot of people always remember is the winner of the first ever Royal Rumble match. I was never World Champion, Tag Team Champion or Intercontinental Champion. Winning that first ever Royal Rumble match was a good spot for me, a nice place to hang my hat.”

On comparing working for Vince McMahon and Eric Bischoff: “There is no real comparison, that is like comparing a diamond and a chunk of coal. Vince McMahon is an absolute master, he is a brilliant man, you take a look at going up against WCW, Ted Turner and that whole organisation. Turner gave us all no cut contracts; Hulk Hogan, Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake, Bret Hart, and myself all went to WCW. Vince then took all the cast offs like Triple H and Steve Austin and turned them into global superstars and once again he was on top. You’ve got to give Vince credit, he is not your friend, if you want a friend go buy a puppy, Vince is your boss. He will use you and make you money but when the time is right he will flush you down the toilet and won’t think twice about it, welcome to the real world.”

On current WWE Superstars he enjoys watching: “I’ve always thought Dolph Ziggler would be a hot talent from way back when he was still part of the Spirit Squad. Ryback is almost like a throwback to back in the day and I would like to see him doing well. Daniel Bryan, you’ve got to give the guy credit, to look at where he has come from you’ve got to be impressed where he has taken himself. Then of course you’ve got a guy like CM Punk, when I first met Punk I knew he was a great talent but I didn’t think he would ever blossom to be the superstar he has become.”

On what it was like filming WWE’s “Legends House” reality show: “The house was in Palm Springs, California and it was a great opportunity to take part in something like that. I was roommates with Rowdy Roddy Piper for five weeks. You get to know a guy pretty well after spending five weeks with them, the first week we just eye-balled each other but by the second week it was like summer camp. Hillbilly Jim was a renaissance man, he cooks, he sings, reads music, plays music, he was quite a character. Howard Finkel, Pat Patterson were all great. I didn’t get on too well with Tony Atlas, we almost had two fist fights over the five week period. Overall we all had a lot of fun!”

Check out the complete interview online at Wrestling101.com.

The following is an excerpt from a new FOX Sports column by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross. In the following excerpt, “Good Ole’ JR” shares his memories from some of the WWE Royal Rumble matches. You can read his thoughts on additional Royal Rumble matches by reading the full blog at the link below:

2006: Rey Mysterio more than earned his pay in the Royal Rumble match by ducking, dodging, and darting his way to winning in an hour plus, 62:12 to be exact. That’s a record, by the way. I’d love to know how many “near-misses” Rey had because by the time he prevailed and had overcome the odds, the fans were digging the 6-1-9. This win propelled Rey to new heights, including being a headliner at WM 22 that year. Rey, the ultimate underdog, represented “hope,” with which most fans could easily identify. It was a memorable night for another future WWE HOFer.

2007: From the git-go, I felt that the Cena vs Umaga Last Man Standing match would outdeliver what some skeptics were whispering. “Cena vs. Umaga will be OK if it’s a short match.” Well, it wasn’t a short match and it was better than OK … it was a Slobberknocker. That says it all. I felt both men upped their respective games that night. The goal was to be physical and to tell a story. Both men did exactly that. Last Man Standing matches, especially in a PG world, aren’t the easiest in which to perform but these two pulled it off in a serious way.

2008: To broadcast from Madison Square Garden is, in homage to the late, Road Warrior Hawk,”What a Rush!” I call my life in wrestling … from the “farm” (in Oklahoma) to the “Garden.” However, few nights in my career was the crowd louder and became more unglued than when John Cena shocked WWE fans by returning from an injury to the Rumble as surprise entrant No. 30 and then winning by eliminating HHH. With Cena not in the Garden all day, who knew? John had been injured and the last that I had heard was that he was “getting better” so I left it at that. When Cena’s music hit it was, a “Monsoonism” is coming, pandemonium. The sold out crowd was so empowered that they almost forgot to boo the polarizing Cena,who eliminated HHH to get the win.

Check out the complete blog online at FOXSports.com.

– The latest in a long line of “McMahon’isms” was made official prior to the January 20th edition of WWE RAW, as the commentary team was told to specify mentions during the broadcast as either “the Royal Rumble match” or “the Royal Rumble” pay-per-view to avoid confusion.

– Jody Kristofferson, the son of Hollywood actor Kris Kristofferson, who was released from a WWE developmental deal with the company last year, is reportedly back at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida training for a return.

According to one source, WWE went back-and-forth on whether or not to make the match at last Friday’s WWE SmackDown show between the New Age Outlaws and Goldust and Cody Rhodes a WWE Tag-Team Championship match or a non-title match.

When all was said and done, WWE went with the idea of making the SmackDown bout a non-title match, with the plan being to bump the actual title match between the two teams for the Royal Rumble show.

As previously reported, Goldust and Cody Rhodes will officially defend their titles against the New Age Outlaws on the Royal Rumble “Kickoff Show” this Sunday night.

WWE Superstars Dolph Ziggler and The Miz were interviewed by CBS reporter Chris Van Vliet prior to their appearance at NBA’s “WWE Night” on Wednesday. The following are some highlights from the interview:

Dolph Ziggler on his Royal Rumble status: “I wish I had some answer for you. I’ve gone through a couple different tests. They’ve all been coming back very positively, which is I’m healing very well. Sunday, I will be there to get checked out.”

Ziggler on preparing for his return: “I’m actually feeling pretty good. I’ve had a couple weeks to rest and not fall down. I’m back in the gym, feeling good, really looking forward to getting back in the ring real soon.”

Ziggler on Ultimate Warrior’s return: “All he has to do is run down. I go, ‘I’ll get clotheslined. He’ll [The Miz] get clotheslined.’ Ten seconds. The place would blow the roof off.”

The Miz on Warrior’s return: “I’ll do it! Sign me up!”

Watch the complete interview below:

WWE has added the latest sit-down interview with Triple H, this time conducted by Renee Young, to their official YouTube channel.

The video, which you can view above, is accompanied by the following description: “WWE COO Triple H addresses whether Randy Orton “made things right” on Raw, CM Punk as the first entrant into the Royal Rumble Match and the possibility of Batista being “The Face of WWE.””

The following are highlights from a recent Jim Ross online Q&A update:

On if he feels Roman Reigns will ever work with his cousins The Usos: “I assume that any thing is possible down the road. It likely wouldn’t be often or remotely on a regular basis.”

On if it’s fair to compare today’s era against the Attitude Era: “”Fair?” It’s merely speculation and not a decree of fact. Today’s roster has some intriguing, underdeveloped pieces who need to continue to evolve plus have others added to the mix to ever approach the Attitude Era roster. I hope that they do.”

On why WWE didn’t do Hulk Hogan vs. Steve Austin in 2002: “Nothing serious that I recall. Rock was a better fit for Hogan at WM18.”

On if WWE talents had more creative freedom back in the late 90s and early 2000s: “Yes, somewhat. Those that could assemble their thoughts in a good way were provided some creative flexibility. Needs to get back to that.”

On if he feels Daniel Bryan will be in the Royal Rumble, and if so, should he win: “Your guess is as good as mine. He’s facing Bray Wyatt at the Rumble but that doesn’t mean that any of those talents in one on one matches can’t be in the Rumble match too. Tune in and see….that’s what I’m doing.”

Check out more JR Q&A updates online at JRsBarBQ.com.

– The official WWE website has added a new video playlist featuring many of John Cena’s recent media appearances promoting his “BodyChange” workout. You can check that out at WWE.com.

– Speaking of new WWE playlists, the official WWE website has added a video looking at some past comical Royal Rumble moments. You can check that out at WWE.com.

– The WWE Shop website has added new Ultimate Warrior merchandise, as well as some retro Batista merchandise. You can check out all that WWE has to offer at WWEShop.com.

– In addition to the previously reported names added to the Royal Rumble on RAW this past Monday night, it was also revealed during the show that CM Punk will be an official entrant in the match.

– One of the main events for this week’s SmackDown was revealed during WWE RAW on Monday night. In a non-title match, Attitude Era greats The New Age Outlaws will square off against the WWE Tag-Team Champions Goldust and Cody Rhodes.

As previously reported in a spoiler article based off of Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown television taping in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar’s match at the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view on January 26th is now confirmed to be a one-on-one match against Big Show.

The Lesnar-Big Show match was made official during SmackDown this week, as Lesnar’s on-air manager Paul Heyman accepted the match against Big Show on his behalf during a MizTV segment.

With the Lesnar-Show match now official, here is the updated official lineup for the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view:

WWE Royal Rumble Match
– Confirmed participants thus far: Batista and Alberto Del Rio

WWE World Heavyweight Championship
– Randy Orton (c) vs. John Cena

– Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show

– The full WWE NXT episode from this past Wednesday night, January 8, 2014, has been added to the Hulu website. In addition to the WWE NXT wrestlers featured, WWE main roster Superstars Tyson Kidd and Xavier Woods, along with WWE Diva Summer Rae, are all in action on this week’s show.

Those interested in checking out this week’s WWE NXT episode can do so at Hulu.com.

– WWE has added the latest “Top 10” video to their official YouTube channel. The latest “Top 10” installment is called, “Royal Rumble Fails – WWE Top 10.”

The video, which you can watch below, is accompanied by the following description: “Anything can and will happen in the Royal Rumble and that includes some epic fails! Check out the top 10 Royal Rumble fails including Santino Marella, Dolph Ziggler and even the Undertaker!”

– Former WWE announcer and ESPN host Todd Grisham celebrates his 38th birthday today. Grisham was born on January 9, 1976.

– WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley joked on Twitter that the content during his comedy shows scheduled for this weekend may not make WWE too happy. Foley tweeted:

I'm pretty sure this week's shows are going to get me fired from @WWE. Should be fun!

— Mick Foley (@realmickfoley) January 8, 2014

– WWE has added the following video to their official YouTube channel featuring bloopers from the shoot of the WWE Royal Rumble 2014 commercial. The video, which you can watch below, is accompanied by the following description: “Randy Orton, Goldust and other WWE Superstars come unhinged in these outtakes from the 2014 Royal Rumble speed dating commercial.”

WWE legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts, who returned at Old School RAW this past Monday night, posted the following update on his official Twitter account regarding his future with WWE. Jake tweeted:

Only time I will answer this. As of this moment, I don’t know @StingerForLife Between you & me will there be more magic like last monday…

— JakeSnakeDDT (@JakeSnakeDDT) January 9, 2014

Speaking of Roberts, he recently spoke about his Old School RAW appearance, Royal Rumble aspirations and the WWE Network announcement in a new video chat with veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter. You can check that video out below:

• Surprise RVD Royal Rumble Return?, Batista Return Plans, Ultimate Warrior/WMXXX News

– Following the ratings success of Monday’s Old School RAW, WWE is planning to make the themed show an annual event every January.

– According to a source in WWE, Jake “The Snake” Roberts is a lock to be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame during WrestleMania XXX weekend in April. There is still no definitive word as to whether or not Roberts will appear in the Royal Rumble match later this month.

• Update On Plans For Batista, Royal Rumble Surprises, New WMXXX Matches
  

– Following the second consecutive week of being attacked on RAW by Brock Lesnar, WWE is reporting that Mark Henry suffered a dislocated and fractured elbow due to the kimura that Lesnar applied to him at Old School RAW.

– WWE added the following video promo hyping the announcement that Batista will be an official participant in the 2014 Royal Rumble match:

It was announced during Old School RAW in Baltimore on Monday during a backstage segment that Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt will be teaming up to compete in a tag-team match on next week’s edition of WWE RAW.

Also on RAW, two Royal Rumble participants have been confirmed. As we previously reported, Michael Cole announced on commentary that Batista has officially entered himself into the 2014 Royal Rumble match. Additionally, Alberto Del Rio officially entered the match. Del Rio announced his participation in the Rumble during an in-ring interview he did after defeating Sin Cara in singles action.