WWE Royal Rumble 2018: Predicting All 30 Entrants

3. Batista

Royal Rumble 2018
WWE.com

As far as surprise entrants go, Batista is easily the biggest name WWE could deliver in 2018.

The former Evolution man is open to one last run, having recently revealed that him and Vince McMahon have already discussed a potential return, though there'd be a couple of obstacles. Batista is 48 years old, and has been inactive since 2014, making ring rust an obvious issue. Then there's the small matter of his busy acting schedule, which he'd likely prioritise over a wrestling comeback.

It'd be remiss not to mention the catastrophe that was his last run, but there's no Daniel Bryan to screw over anymore. This should prevent a repeat of 2014, when Batista was booed out of the building, and ensure a warm reception for the former WWE Champion on January 28th.

WWE don't always learn from their mistakes, but it's unlikely that they'd have Batista win again, and instead book the kind of fun nostalgia-based run 'The Animal' should've had four years ago.

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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.