WWE Royal Rumble 2020: Naomi appearing and joining SmackDown?

Wrestling fans are anxiously waiting for several returns at WWE Royal Rumble 2020, and the name that keeps popping up on fans’ wishlists is Naomi, who is a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion.

We don’t talk enough about Naomi as a WWE icon who has bridged two distinct eras in the company, helping in the progression of women’s wrestling in the industry’s largest promotion, but we REALLY should. And on Sunday at WWE Royal Rumble 2020, we should get ready to jump out of our seats to give Naomi a crazy “return” pop.

According to a report from PWInsider.com’s Mike Johnson, Naomi is scheduled to be in Houston this weekend for the Royal Rumble.

There’s no guarantee she’ll be in the match, but fans have speculated for some time that the Rumble would be a perfect return spot for her.

Per PW Insider, Naomi is expected to return “shortly” – as in, as soon as the Women’s Rumble match itself on Jan. 26 – and join the SmackDown brand. Johnson believes the Rumble match is the “most logical” return date for “The Glow”.

My esteemed colleague Candice Tinnon recently wrote a piece broadly asking when Naomi’s ideal return date would be in 2020. She is worried that a Rumble return could be less-than-impactful, surmising a return with an added angle at WrestleMania 36 would be a great way to reintroduce her to WWE programming while providing the SmackDown Women’s Division with another great storyline post-‘Mania.

No matter when Naomi returns, she’s sure to make an impact and put on great matches. Her in-ring IQ, creativity, and advanced move-set have made her one of WWE’s most valuable performers, and she has been missed over the past several months. We haven’t seen her perform since July, when she faced Sarah Logan on Main Event.

So it’s great to hear that Naomi is nearing her return. Keep a close eye out for her, and get ready to be “Amazed” by her entrance and in-ring skills at Minute Maid Park.