WWE Royal Rumble 2025: 10 Surprise Entrants We Could See

9. Santino Marella

WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Big E Shock
WWE

2020 was also notable for Santino Marella's Rumble comeback...sort of. The comedic star appeared in the women's match as his "sister" Santina, but it was a 60 second long cameo designed for laughs. Before that, his latest WWE match came way back in 2014. That's a lifetime ago in pro wrestling circles, so it'd be great to see Marella bring his cobra along for some giggles in 2025.

More recently, Santino has been working with TNA, and Triple H has forged a good working relationship with the folks over there. In other words, it wouldn't be hard to thrash something out and pencil in a quick comedy spot for Marella. Screw it, why not give his daughter Arianna Grace a berth in the women's match then have Santino come out to support her in that too (if the women's bout goes on second, which admittedly doesn't seem likely this year).

Actually, Marella would presumably be content with forgoing his own spot in the men's bout just to cheer on his daughter. Bringing back the Santina character and officially being in the same match as his flesh and blood isn't out of the question either. After all, nobody predicted Santina's return five years ago.

One of Santino's biggest strengths has always been his willingness to clown himself for other people's entertainment. He's never going to be a serious entrant (was he ever?!) in the famous match type, but levity is an underrated staple of many Royal Rumbles. It's fair to say Marella would get people laughing before the serious business resumed.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.