WWE Planning Surprise Men's Royal Rumble Entrant From Another Company?
Who could step through the Forbidden Door to enter the men's Royal Rumble this year?
Following Friday's revelation that IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James will enter the 2022 Royal Rumble despite not being contracted to WWE, the promotion may be working on something similar for the men's bout.
Per WrestleVotes, sources have claimed that WWE will attempt to open the fabled Forbidden Door for a similar entrant for another promotion (as with the James situation):-
Had more than 1 source this weekend, w/o me directly asking, state they believe WWE will try for an “unexpected” forbidden door entrant for the Men’s Royal Rumble. Personally I’m skeptical it happens, but I can confirm WWE is at least open to the idea. Which is exciting enough.
Mickie was comfortably the most surprising name to be announced as WWE officially confirmed 19 new names for the women's Royal Rumble during last week's episode of SmackDown. The IMPACT star's April 2021 WWE departure was mired in controversy when it was revealed the company had returned James' belongings to her in a trash bag, prompting the promotion to fire the employee responsible, with Stephanie McMahon issuing an apology.
WWE has not announced a formal link with IMPACT Wrestling, despite James' impending appearance. Per Fightful Select, people within IMPACT don't believe that Mickie has an exclusive deal with IMPACT, with several others in a similar situation.
Only six of the 30 available spots in the men's Royal Rumble had been filled at the time of writing.