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With this weekend's WWE Royal Rumble matches in Indianapolis, the anticipation as to who could be surprises in the Rumble matches has led to emails asking about who could be potentially involved. Obviously, anything is possible, especially in a world where WWE has a working relationship with different promotions and the new regime willing to ignore any past grudges and old traditions. After all, the Rumble is being held in February for the first time. With well over 50,000 fans expected at Lucas Oil Stadium, here's some thoughts on names who'd truly be some nice surprises for the matches, in no particular order. Understand I am not arguing that any of these names should win, but that they'd be nice surprises to pop the audience and give these names a moment, as they long as they felt they could perform and if WWE could sneak them in without being spotted....
KURT ANGLE
Yes, Kurt Angle has been retired for some time, but that last match with Baron Corbin was anything but memorable. Imagine the pop if Chad Gable is in the ring and Angle's music and pyro hits. Angle hitting the ring would certainly shock everyone. He could grapple with Gable for a big, toss a German suplex or two and then exchange punches, simple things that would allow him to have a moment in the spotlight before being eliminated in a respectful manner. If anyone would have the cardio to go for a few minutes, it's Angle and who doesn't want to see Chad Gable get trapped in the anklelock?
MANDY ROSE
The WWE that fired Rose for an Onlyfans account is long gone and died when Vince McMahon sold the company to Endeavor, so why not put the Mandy fire out with a surprising return? A cameo from Rose could get fans talking and allow for an in-ring faceoff with long-time on camera rival Sonya Deville, someone who has been severely underutilized in recent months. Even if it's a one night appearance, it will get people talking.
THE DUDLEY BOYZ
One of the most memorable moments in the 1989 Royal Rumble, to get over the idea of every man for himself, was Demolition facing off. Imagine if the first two competitors this year were Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley, giving the audience a surprise they weren't expecting, but flipping the hourglass by having The Dudleys return, against each other! Then, when number three hits the ring, it's an unfortunate victim to 3D as the brothers once again are aligned. With Bubba working as a Coach on the forthcoming WWE LFG, this could spotlight the series and give The Dudleys one more table to smash.
VICTORIA
One of the most underrated and underappreciated women’s wrestlers of the 2000s, Victoria stands alongside the likes of Natalya and Beth Phoenix as stars who would have flourished far more had she come along today as opposed to the McMahon era. One of those talents who always had a good showing, having her show up as a surprise and tossing out a Widow's Peak or too before being eliminated would be a nice moment and a nice nod towards someone who always did a great job but also didn't always get the spotlight she probably deserved.
ABYSS
Hey, you want to surprise everyone? Why not send out Abyss, Janice in hand, to make his WWE in-ring debut. Chris Park is already one of the top producers for the company, but he's never had the chance to actually wrestle for WWE, so why not shock everyone by sending him out, getting TNA to lend you his music and all. Abyss can wipe out a bunch of people with a Black Hole Slam before running afoul of a Bron Breakker or Braun Strowman, putting them over - but not before someone really beloved behind the scenes gets a quick debut that doubles as a farewell appearance.
KELANI JORDAN
While signs certainly appear to point to Roxanne Perez being in the Rumble match this year, Kelani Jordan certainly has earned the chance to appear as well in my mind. The former North American Women's Champion has that RVD-esque zest to her in-ring style, which could allow for some fun physical spots or perhaps even a Kofi Kingston-like save from elimination. Jordan's work never fails to be entertaining, so why not give the main roster audience a preview of what she's going to bring them in the years to come?
THE BWO
Hey, if Stevie Richards, Nova and The Blue Meanie walked out Saturday, don't lie to me and say you would see it coming. The trio could easily do some easy comedy before Stevie gets tossed over - and certainly they'd get a massive BWO chant just for trying to "take over."
JACQUELINE
One of the toughest women in pro wrestling history - as anyone who saw her as Miss Texas in The USWA will attest - Jacqueline could bring some legitimacy to anyone she's in the ring with, since she'd make them earn it. It would be a nice nod to one of The Attitude Era's true utility players, who did everything that was ever asked of her and certainly made a lot of women stars in the process. A short run would be a nice surprise for the WWE Hall of Famer and her fans.
JOE HENDRY
The TNA Champion coming out to his theme song would be quite the moment and one that's deserved. Hendry has continuously pushed himself to the center of the wrestling world from the fringes, using his talent and musical ability to scratch and fight his way into the hearts of tons of fans around the world. His NXT appearances last year would be a small appetizer compared to being the first-ever TNA World Champion to stand tall in the Men's Rumble match - and who doesn't want to hear 50,000 strong singing they believe in Joe Hendry? The Rumble match is about making moments - so why not help your promotional partner have a big moment, WWE?
THE ROCK
Would there be a bigger moment than Rock coming down from Rock Mountain and entering - or even winning The Royal Rumble? As much as fans reacted to Rock interjecting himself into the Wrestlemania main event scene last year, it would be nothing compared to the social media reaction if The Rock started laying the Smacketh down on John Cena, CM Punk and Seth Rollins, right? As The Watcher says, "What if?"
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