WWE Royal Rumble 2018: Predicting 13 Wrestlers Not Yet Announced

Three days to go, over a dozen spots to fill...

Royal Rumble 2018 Mystery Entrants
WWE

The 2018 Royal Rumble may only be a few days away, but WWE still have much work to do ahead of the big event, having filled just 17 of 30 spots in the titular men's match.

A handful of new names will likely be announced via social media over the coming days, with the last few spots reserved for the kind of surprises that define the Rumble. They've been slow to complete the lineup, but WWE still have plenty of options on the table, and if they go all out, they'll build a field stacked with serious star power.

Before we speculate on who may appear, let's run through who won't. Fozzy are playing in Paris this Sunday, so Chris Jericho is out, as is his NJPW rival Kenny Omega, who recently signed a contract extension. The likes of Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy Big Cass, and Dean Ambrose won't return from injury until long after the event. Goldberg? Don't get your hopes up.

The next few days will be rife with rumours and speculation on who's going to show up, so let's take a stab at how WWE will fill this year's Royal Rumble...

13. Luke Gallows

Royal Rumble 2018 Mystery Entrants
WWE.com

Luke Gallows has been a peripheral figure for much of his current WWE run. Him and Karl Anderson were Raw Tag Team Champions for a while, but are usually used to put others over rather than shining themselves. With any luck, Bálor Club's ascension will finally let the hard-bantering big man bring his colossal personality to a mainstream audience. Though not the best between the ropes, the guy's a riot on the microphone, and should be allowed to show it going forward.

The Club's recent promotional push, plus his lack of activity elsewhere in the card, should see Gallows thrown into the Royal Rumble. He won't pull up any trees, but he doesn't need to. The former Festus is a solid, mid-level guy who understands his role perfectly, and while he can probably look forward to a team-up spot with his stablemates, he'd primarily be there to make up the numbers.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.