WWE Royal Rumble 2023: 10 Surprise Entrants We Could See

1. Kylie Rae

Road Dogg
James Musselwhite/AEW

In a strange story that might have taken off, were it not for the fact that the wrestling news cycle is now more compelling than the entire WWE product, Kylie Rae (as Briana Rae) worked an episode of Main Event in December in a losing effort to Dana Brooke.

Purported to be a tryout match, FightFul Select subsequently reported that she was not tied to a deal in the immediate aftermath - but this doesn’t necessarily mean that no contract offer is forthcoming. It took, for example, several months for confirmation to surface that Karl Fredericks had signed with WWE. A good while passed between that report (broken by PWInsider) and his being spotted in the WWE Performance Center.

Kylie Rae is mostly known for her promising, abbreviated run in All Elite Wrestling, and the mysterious circumstances behind her sudden departure that year of 2019. While there may not be any conflation, she is also open about her struggles with mental health and substance issues, both of which have compelled her to retire on occasion.

She'd represent a strong acquisition; inordinately likeable and immensely talented - her performance level in AEW was excellent - there remains vast untapped potential for any promoter to maximise.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!