Big Surprise Reportedly Planned For Royal Rumble

Twitter user WrestleVotes, who has broken stories in the past, claims that WWE is planning a “big surprise” for this year’s Royal Rumble, but they won’t reveal who it is in case it may not work out. It was noted that this surprise is not Kenny Omega, who is expected to sign with AEW over WWE when his NJPW contract expires on January 31. They wrote:

A “big” surprise may be in the plans Sunday at the Rumble, one that’s being kept from nearly everyone. However, I’m not going to leak it. Two reasons, 1. If it happens, everyone should have a genuine reaction to the moment & 2. WWE doesn’t even know if it’s going to work out yet.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) January 26, 2019

And this has nothing to do with Kenny Omega.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) January 26, 2019

Wrestling Inc added that there are some who believe that the timing of The Rock’s announcement of Roman Reigns in Hobbs & Shaw is “interesting”, as it came two days before the event. No one has reported or teased Reigns as being in the Royal Rumble match, but they say the timing is suspect.

As for names that are actually available, we’ve reported that Kurt Angle is in Phoenix, along with Sin Cara, Christian, Maryse, Erick Rowan, Big Show and Tye Dillinger. Wrestling Inc also noted that rumored surprises for the match include Bray Wyatt and The Velveteen Dream.