The Royal Rumble takes place in Saudi Arabia tomorrow, and WWE reportedly has some major surprises in store for fans. The prevailing theory is that Chris Jericho will make his long-awaited WWE return, and if so, that's going to be a game-changer on the Road to WrestleMania.
Some surprises will inevitably leak online in advance, and Fightful Select is reporting that former WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton is in Saudi Arabia and expected to be an entrant in the Women's Royal Rumble match.
This will mark Stratton's first appearance on WWE programming in nearly three months, after she lost the title to Jade Cargill. There's been some chatter about her dealing with a minor injury, which would explain why the match with Cargill was so short.
The site is also reporting that we can expect to see NXT and AAA talent in both 30-person matches. "A quick note on a few potential surprises from the NXT and Triple A brands that could be represented in the Royal Rumble," the report shares. "Sources indicate that both Lola Vice and Sol Ruca have been discussed from NXT for the women’s rumble."
"Triple A's Mr. Iguana has been talked about internally on the men’s side. Also, as reported last month here on WrestleVotes Radio, Tiffany Stratton is in Saudi Arabia and scheduled to be a part of the women’s Royal Rumble."
We'd bet on at least one or two TNA stars showing up, too, given WWE's working relationship with the company.
This all comes on the heels of former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar confirming that he'll be part of the Men's Royal Rumble match. Speaking to Pat McAfee earlier this week, The Beast said, "I'm heading to the Royal Rumble [and] I'm gonna win it."
Lesnar last won the match in 2022 and went on to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38 in a "Winner Takes All" match for the Universal and WWE Championships. Before that, he won the match in 2003.
Stay tuned for updates on the Royal Rumble this weekend.