2 Top SmackDown Stars Declare For WWE's 2023 Royal Rumble

Both Rey Mysterio and GUNTHER have been added to the men's 2023 Royal Rumble.

WWE scripted both to cut promos declaring themselves for the 30-man match on 28 January during Friday's edition of SmackDown. Rey was the first to do so - the masked legend kept a feud with son Dominik ticking over with his words, then got accosted and attacked by new rival Karrion Kross.

They'll work opposite one another on the 'go home' episode of SmackDown before the Rumble, and it was noted that Rey-Rey won the famous 30-man brawl back in 2006. Commentators and Kross himself went pretty hard on that, actually.

Meanwhile, GUNTHER announced he'd be in the Rumble after successfully retaining his Intercontinental Title vs. Braun Strowman. The pair worked a predictably well-received power vs. power battle, then the Imperium leader said he'd move onto the upcoming pay-per-view and dominate there too.

GUNTHER should be considered a dark horse pick to win the whole thing. At the very least, the reigning IC Champ should be tossing a few sorry souls over the top rope to the floor in San Antonio.