3 predictions for surprise WWE veterans to return at the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble

The WWE Royal Rumble is less than a week away. This is one of the biggest matches in the industry, as it sets the tone for WrestleMania season. WrestleMania 41 seems extra important this year, which means the Royal Rumble is as well. The men’s match has several big names slated to be in it, while the women’s rumble feels wide open. Both matches are poised to have some surprise participants, and here are three past WWE performers who would get a great reception if they walked through that curtain.

AJ Lee

AJ Lee is one personality who fans continue to push for a return. March 30 will mark 10 years since she’s been in the ring. In the eyes of many, her tenure in WWE set the tone for the Women’s Revolution and where the entirety of women’s wrestling is today. If AJ Lee walked through the opening and stepped into the Rumble, it would be one of the top headlines in 2025.

Where does she fit in the division? There are so many ways in which she could work in today’s WWE. NXT, SmackDown, and Monday Night Raw would benefit from her star power. Don’t ever count the idea out either, CM Punk returned to WWE after years of making it clear that he’d never do so. Odder things have happened.

Dolph Ziggler/Nic Nemeth

The man formerly known as Dolph Ziggler is perhaps one of the biggest “what could have been” stories in WWE. There was a time when he was mega-over with the fans, and his Money in the Bank cash-in proved it. But WWE, namely Vince McMahon, never saw him as anything of value and his booking relayed that. Ziggler had all the in-ring and personality to be a main event star for years to come, but that moment never came.

Since leaving WWE, he’s found levels of success. He picked up the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, AAA Mega Championship, and recently the TNA World Championship. Other companies have shown their interest in booking him as the main attraction. It would be great to see him return to the Royal Rumble, show off one last time, leaving fans with a reminder of who he is.

Victoria

Victoria should be one of the top attractions for the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame class. The former WWE Women’s Champion was a force during that era before women’s wrestling reached the level it is today. She’s popped into WWE since, appearing in the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble. She was also in the crowd in a recent episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. Victoria is a legend and if WWE were to induct her into the class this year, giving her a moment in the Royal Rumble would be a nice touch.