10 Big Questions Ahead Of WWE Royal Rumble 2017
5. Who Are This Year's Big Surprises?
Surprise entrants are always one of the most exciting things about the Royal Rumble. It’ll be tough for WWE to replicate the success of AJ Styles’ stunning debut last year, but they have a number of excellent options on the table this year, and should be able to deliver on at least a couple of big moments.
Finn Balor returned to WWE programming during the UK Championship Tournament’s second night, and engaged in a small physical spot at ICW’s Fear & Loathing PPV in November. The Irishman has ruled himself out of Rumble contention, but there’s every chance WWE could throw him in there provided his injury problems are behind him.
Samoa Joe hasn’t appeared on NXT television since dropping his championship to Shinsuke Nakamura. He has nothing left to do down at Full Sail University, and making a surprise Rumble appearance would ensure a memorable debut. Kurt Angle, meanwhile, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this April, thus opening the possibility of an imminent return to WWE television.
Each of the above surprises would go over with the fans, but there’s every chance WWE will do something boneheaded and throw Shaq in the match to build the Big Show feud. Whoever they choose, this year’s Rumble shouldn’t be short of surprises.