SPOILER On Potential WWE Royal Rumble 2022 Surprise

Is a Royal Rumble return on the cards for this long-missing WWE star?

Asuka Royal Rumble
WWE

A number of performers within WWE believe that Asuka will return to the promotion at this Saturday's Royal Rumble 2022 event.

This is according to Fightful Select, who stress that they haven't been able to explicitly confirm this, perhaps as WWE officials typically keep potential Rumble surprises close to the vest at this time of year. Nonetheless, the idea of Asuka entering the titular women's match has been discussed behind the scenes.

With Rumble competitors often not told whether or not they'll be participating in these matches until the day before the show, this, like other potential Rumble surprises, is a fluid situation that could change on short notice.

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Asuka has been out of action since competing at WWE's first pay-per-view with live fans back, Money In The Bank 2021. She revealed shortly after that July 2021 event that she was finally undergoing dental surgery after losing at least one tooth while wrestling Shayna Baszler a few months prior. At the same time, Asuka was photographed with her arm in a sling, suggesting further injury issues.

It was reported last week that the multi-time Women's Champion should now be cleared to return to the ring.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.