7 WWE Royal Rumble Cliches We'll Definitely See This Year

"Nobody expected to see "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, winner of the very first Royal Rumble back in 1988, out here tonight! Nobody!"

OK, maybe some expected it.

Although WWE - particularly when you throw in guys from NXT - have a roster big enough to fill two Rumbles these days, returning veterans are virtually guaranteed. There are those who have suggested these spots are better filled by up-and-comers, but it's nice of the company to reward years of service with a twilight year cameo appearance - and it also provides a welcome lift for the crowd during the obligatory mid-match lull.

If there's a downside, it's that the veterans can sometimes look so frail that their much younger opponents are often reluctant to go in too hard, and the resultant eliminations can look a little phoned in at times.