WWE Royal Rumble 2019: 10 Surprise Entrants We Could See

4. Wade Barrett

Rob Van Dam
WWE.com

The King of Bad News was released by WWE in May 2016, having been unceremoniously dumped from the god-awful League Of Nations after years of dodgy booking in and around the upper-midcard. The guy could have been a main eventer, but alas, his creative direction was far from perfect, and he left the mainstream wrestling business having accomplished only a fraction of what he could have.

Barrett has since had a run as General Manager in Defiant Wrestling, and has done a spot of acting as well, but his name always seems to crop up on lists like this. Perhaps it’s because he was a great performer that fans genuinely wanted to see succeed, and that coming back would give him a chance to do that. Wishful thinking is a powerful drug, but regardless, bringing Wade back for the Royal Rumble would get a great response.

The man himself has stated that he isn’t necessarily interested in a full-time run, but this is professional wrestling, where everything changes at the drop of a hat, and with the big money offers WWE are seemingly throwing around at the moment, perhaps Mr. Barrett will have his head turned.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.