WWE Royal Rumble 2025: EVERY Wrestler Announced So Far

A comprehensive live list of everybody entered in this year's WWE Rumbles as they're revealed!

CM Punk
WWE

With so much hype centred around Raw's January 6th Netflix debut (and indeed WWE moving onto the world's biggest streaming service days earlier) and yet another Saturday Night's Main Event on January 25th, there was a sense that the Royal Rumble might sneak up on people this year.

Taking place in February for the first time in the event's history, the slight change in routine added more speculation that significant figures for the two battle royales might be held back until the company had its various ducks in a row elsewhere. This was quickly proven to not be the case. Names started dropping from January 3rd, and WWE almost immediately seemed intent on assembling as many headline or headline-adjacent names as possible in order to emphasise just how star-studded the battle royals were set to be.

Will this finally be the year that Triple H manages to get the booking of a Royal Rumble right? The finishes involving Cody Rhodes in particular have been lone highs amidst uninspired efforts, but the 'American Nightmare' isn't somebody 'The Game' can rely on this year.

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He can however possibly make some magic with...

Men's Royal Rumble Match

1. LA Knight (January 3th, 2025)

LA Knight
WWE.com

LA Knight failed to win his United States Championship back from Shinsuke Nakamura when SmackDown moved to three hours, but might be moving beyond midcard goals to something even bigger. He stands an outside chance at best, but he won't think that, and that's ultimately what matters.

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2. John Cena (January 6th)

WWE Raw John Cena
WWE

"The Champ Is Here" for one more year, and he's kicking it off with a bang at the Royal Rumble. He's a favourite too - Cena will work over thirty dates in 2025, and is expected to be a significant drawing card for the company in the process. "Last" shows and spots are good, but

3. CM Punk (January 6th)

CM Punk
WWE

CM Punk returned to WWE in November 2023 with more than a few personal and professional demons to slay. None bigger than headlining WrestleMania based on powerful remarks he made a decade ago, and the story has since been canonised as his raison d'être in 2025. He entered following his victory over Seth Rollins on the January 6th Netflix Raw debut. As did...

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4. Jey Uso (January 6th)

WWE Raw Travis scott Pat McAfee Jey Uso
WWE

Fresh off a victory over Drew McIntyre and ahead of him gaining a Saturday Night's Main Event World Heavyweight Championship match against Gunther, Jey Uso put his name in the hat to enter the 'January' classic. He's made 'Main Event' more than a nickname in 2024. Could he shock the world and make it part of his WrestleMania plans. Probably not, but he knows somebody well that might...

5. Roman Reigns (January 10th)

WWE Raw Roman Reigns Paul Heyman
WWE

'The Tribal Chief' took back the formal title (and Ula Fala) when he defeated Solo Sikoa, but within the same week he had his eyes back on the biggest prize. Via Paul Heyman, Reigns announced that he was in the Rumble and intended to reclaim the WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes. With The Rock seemingly out of the WrestleMania picture, it'd be naïve to rule out the possibility of a trilogy on the 'Grandest Stage'.

6. Seth Rollins (January 13th)

Seth Rollins
WWE.com

Mid-flow with rival CM Punk following his painful defeat, Seth Rollins entered the Royal Rumble almost in an act of spite. If he can't win, he'll at least stop 'The Straight Edge Superstar'. But then who says he can't win? He's done it before, and so has...

7. Drew McIntyre (January 13th)

WWE Raw Drew McIntyre CM Punk Seth Rollins
WWE

'The Scottish Warrior' is never not looking for vindication. Currently, it's in a quest to convince the world that Roman Reigns is still every bit the tyrant he was before, and the need to be right (and righteous) has informed his entire character arc since losing to 'The Tribal Chief' in September 2022. Much of that comes from never really getting his moment when he first won the Royal Rumble in 2025. Half a decade later, might he finally get some redemption?

8. Rey Mysterio (January 17th)

Rey Mysterio
WWE.com

Masked legend Rey Mysterio announced his entry into the 2025 Rumble on the 17 January edition of SmackDown. That was quickly followed up by an interruption from world class heel troll Kevin Owens (who wore several excellent t-shirts throughout the night) and a match between the pair later in the show, but the bigger story is Rey-Rey trying to repeat his fascinating 2006 success.

That's something Mysterio brought up during his promo, and he also acknowledged that the field for this year's match is as tough as they come.

9. Sami Zayn (January 20th)

Sami Zayn
WWE

Sami Zayn entered the Royal Rumble as if to prove his naysayers and doubters wrong, and at present there are more than ever.

Seth Rollins dared Zayn to put himself first, CM Punk said he wasn't on his level, and even Karrion Kross and The Miz were able to score points on the sentimental favourite.

Having tried and failed to dethrone Gunther in late-2024 following his doomed run at Roman Reigns in Elimination Chamber 2023, Zayn might yet get his moment about lifetime friend/enemy Kevin Owens, but both have to win their respective big ones first.

10. Shinsuke Nakamura (January 24th)

WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024 Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE

2018 winner Shinsuke Nakamura has vowed to repeat the trick in 2025. Being brutally honest about it, that's highly unlikely, but his promise-giving promo handed Shin something to do on the 24 January edition of SmackDown. WWE's writers haven't thrashed out his next United States Title challenger anyway, so maybe they'll drop a hint about that in the 30-man match and go from there.

Someone's getting misted too. Just saying!

11. Logan Paul (January 27th)

Logan Paul
WWE

Logan Paul marked his formal Monday Night Raw debut with confirmation that he'd be in the Royal Rumble.

The YouTuber has made his mark in the match before, creating a somewhat infamous viral moment with Ricochet ahead of their disappointing match at SummerSlam 2023. The end result of that is worth considering this year - if Paul's playing for keeps and has WrestleMania on his mind, he might look further up the card to set up his opponent for the 'Show Of Shows'.

12. Penta (January 27th)

Bron Breakker Penta
WWE

A strong roll-out thus far for the Penta character has seen him fit seamlessly into life on Monday Night Raw, and the latest result of that was his entry into his very first Royal Rumble.

The former AEW Tag Team Champion has to be considered an outside bet at best, but after becoming the latest to simply stare at Bron Breakker in order to build an awesome-sounding match, he could at very least put the Intercontinental Champion out to potentially service that on the road to - or at - WrestleMania.

The champion himself might have something to do with that...

13. Bron Breakker (January 27th)

Bron Breakker
WWE

Fresh off concluding his business with Sheamus (for now?) in electric fashion at Saturday Night's Main Event, Bron Breakker entered himself into the Royal Rumble to try and double his gold collection on the 'Grandest Stage'.

With four eliminations in 2024 ahead of his official main roster call-up, Breakker's familiar not just with the rigours of the match but also what suits him just fine about it too. Expect speed and spears and possibly even a spot in the final four even if he can't quite see it through.

14. Chad Gable (January 27th)

Dominik Mysterio Chad Gable
WWE

There can't be 30 favourites in any Royal Rumble, but it's still a damning indictment on the second half of Chad Gable's 2024 that he's not higher up the pecking order going into this year's battle royal.

Nonetheless, he pointedly pledged to win singles gold in 2025 before losing to Penta in the latter's WWE debut, so if nothing else, a statement run in Saturday's match might start his brand new long and winding road.

15. Carmelo Hayes (January 27th)

Carmelo Hayes Cody Rhodes
WWE

It would have been easy to assume Carmelo Hayes was going to be in the Royal Rumble, but nobody would have predicted him decking Cody Rhodes to confirm the spot. 'Melo didn't miss just after the show went off the air.

Attacking sometime-rival Rhodes just as the 'American Nightmare' was saying his goodbyes to the live crowd, Hayes destroyed the WWE Champion before leaving him laying with a low blow and making his intentions to win perfectly clear.

It represents his creative peak in the company, and will stay that way when he inevitably falls a little short on the big night.

16. Damian Priest (January 31st)

Damian Priest
WWE.com

SmackDown newcomer Damian Priest confirmed his spot in the 2025 Rumble on the 'go home' episode. The ex-Judgment Day man and former World Heavyweight Champion then had a different kind of rumble with (whisper it) New Bloodline pair Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu. He and LA Knight then won a spirited main event tag match, but it was Priest's work opposite Fatu that caught the eye.

An upper midcard spot seems likely through WrestleMania 41 season.

17. Santos Escobar (January 31st)

Santos Escobar Damian Priest
WWE

Legado Del Fantasma leader Santos Escobar took it upon himself to play quasi-Karrion Kross during another backstage segment on the 31 January SmackDown. Escobar welcomed Priest to the brand, then said Dominik Mysterio was right about Damian all along. That obviously didn't sit well with WWE's 'Punisher', but it did come across as an attempt at manipulation tactics from Santos.

His stock has fallen significantly since the highs of a heel turn vs. Rey Mysterio, but Escobar is in the Rumble regardless.

18. Jacob Fatu (January 31st)

Jacob Fatu WWE
WWE.com

Ex-New Bloodline beast Jacob Fatu has a real shot at turning some heads in this year's Rumble. Or, maybe he'll twist some off instead. WWE has been giving the 'Samoan Werewolf' some ample mic time in recent weeks, and it's clear he's on the right path towards superstardom. He was also confirmed during the 'go home' episode of SmackDown.

Look out for a possible Braun Strowman return/spot and maybe Jacob also eliminating Damian Priest to keep their brand new feud ticking along.

Women's Royal Rumble Match

1. Nia Jax (January 13th)

Nia Jax
WWE

In her first major act since losing the WWE Women's Championship and first opportunity to win it back, Nia Jax entered the Royal Rumble by turning up on Raw and getting in the faces of World Heavyweight Champion Rhea Ripley and Bayley. She's made waves in Rumbles in the past, and will at very least be a danger to the field unless they can work together on her elimination.

2. Bayley (January 20th)

Bayley
WWE

Bayley formalised her move to Monday Night Raw by confirming that she'd be entering the Royal Rumble.

One of only two women to enter the match at time of writing, she's got last year's win to hang her hat on but not a great deal otherwise. Putting over Tiffany Stratton on her way out the SmackDown door, she arrived on Raw and suffered an immediate defeat against Nia Jax.

It's an indictment of the booking of the division more than of the 'Role Model' herself, but don't expect Bayley to end up as a favourite when/if more names get announced.

3. Charlotte Flair (January 24th)

Charlotte Flair 2025
WWE.com

In an interesting move, WWE elected to confirm Charlotte Flair for the 2025 women's Royal Rumble during a pre-taped vignette in late-January. Some are scratching their heads over this, because it perhaps would've made more sense to have the 'Queen' appear in Indianapolis as a surprise.

A worse kept secret than Penta, sure, but a pleasing moment for the PLE nonetheless.

Instead, Flair has been announced ahead of time. She's a firm favourite to win the 30-woman bout then roll on to wrestle new Women's Champ and blossoming star Tiffany Stratton in a featured match at WrestleMania 41. Creative surely know they can get to that even without a Rumble victory, so watch this space.

4. Naomi (January 24th)

Naomi WWE
WWE.com

Naomi would've chuckled backstage as she watched ultimate troll Kevin Owens wear one of her t-shirts for a match vs. real-life hubby Jimmy Uso on the 24 January SmackDown. Before settling in to watch that main event, Naomi entered herself in the women's Rumble during an otherwise-humdrum revolving door promo segment with countless other women.

Post-Rumble, WWE can get to work on outing either Naomi or her partner Bianca Belair as the one who attacked now-former Women's Tag Champ and benched sensation Jade Cargill.

5. Bianca Belair (January 24th)

Bianca Belair
WWE.com

Bianca Belair is the kind of worker who can do it all, and she'll almost certainly sparkle in this year's Rumble. The 2021 winner hasn't been a focal point in the singles division for a while now due to her tag business with Jade Cargill and now Naomi, but she's still more than capable of tearing it up and stealing some spotlight.

Don't be shocked if she lasts anywhere between 30-40 minutes in the 2025 match. Belair is one of Triple H's most dependable female workhorses, after all.

6. Liv Morgan (January 24th)

Liv Morgan
WWE.com

Who else smells a #1 slot coming for one Liv Morgan?

The former Women's World Champion gatecrashed SmackDown's aforementioned revolving door segment on 24 January to announce that she intends to win the Rumble and then regain her title at WrestleMania. Morgan won't be coming alone (more on that shortly), but she might have to play background music for other stars during this year's 'Mania season.

Everyone has to do that occasionally.

7. Raquel Rodriguez (January 24th)

Raquel Rodriguez
WWE.com

Liv immediately revealed that Raquel Rodriguez is eligible for the women's Rumble too. The Judgment Day bodyguard will be little more than a heavy for Morgan during the match, but that's fine - Raquel is in the right spot as Liv's muscle. Casting her as an "insurance policy" for the ex-Women's World Champ is a decent role for Rodriguez.

It wouldn't be a shocker if Naomi or Bianca Belair eliminated Raquel. Rodriguez and Morgan challenging for the Women's Tag straps before Cargill's comeback makes sense.

8. Lyra Valkyria (January 27th)

Lyra Valkyria
WWE

The first Intercontinental Champion is yet to defend her title on screen since winning it on January 13th, but might yet be looking past it and toward one of the very top titles with a Royal Rumble win.

Though nobody has been built all that well en route to this match, as a secondary champion, Valkyria has the advantage of having a surefire opponent in defeat. She needs challengers more than she needs to be a double champion, and if nothing else the Rumble can supply no shortage of them.

And the first one might have even been teased on Raw...

9. Ivy Nile (January 27th)

Ivy Nile Lyra Valkyria

Like the rest of American Made, Ivy Nile has made big promises about realising her potential in 2025, but will the Rumble be the place that happens?

Unlikely, but the backstage moment with Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria at very least set the wheels in motion for something between the two of them either at or immediately following the Rumble.

10. Iyo Sky (January 27th)

Bayley Iyo Sky
WWE

A sentimental favourite to win the entire thing if only because the discussed WrestleMania showdown with Rhea Ripley scans as absolutely fantastic on paper, Iyo remains one of the only Damage CTRL members not to go down with significant injuries since the stable launched in 2022.

Now a babyface, there'd be some great symetery to her returning to the stage where she lost her WWE Championship title one year earlier, even if the challenge of Ripley might ultimately prove insurmountable. Announcing via backstage showdown with Bayley was quite a fitting way to potentially kick this story off.

11. Chelsea Green (January 31st)

Chelsea Green Michin
WWE.com

Reigning Women's United States Champ and all-round cowardly heel Chelsea Green said she'd be in the Rumble shortly before defending her title vs. Michin. It's interesting that Mia Yim herself hasn't been announced for the Rumble, if only to keep things moving on her midcard push.

Chelsea is in though, and she isn't coming alone...

12. Piper Niven (January 31st)

Chelsea Green Piper Niven
WWE.com

Green's "Secret Her-vice" (no, not service..."her-vice") Piper Niven's main job in this year's Royal Rumble match will be making sure her meal ticket thrives in the match. Look, there's next to no chance either of these two win the bout, but they'll certainly provide a few laughs and hopefully ease the usual midway lull.

Piper tossing a few women over the top rope to the floor isn't out of the question either. Hey, what if she accidentally eliminates Chelsea? What then? There's no way WWE should entertain any thoughts of splitting this duo in the near future. They've got more to offer.

13. Candice LeRae (January 31st)

Nia Jax Candice LeRae
WWE.com

It's only a matter of time before Nia Jax kicks Candice LeRae to the curb though. Playing protege to Nia has helped Candice bag a regular spot on TV in recent times, but she won't serve much purpose once Jax's rematch vs. new champ Tiffany Stratton is old news. LeRae is in the Rumble, at least.

Granted, it'd be a shock if she did much damage or got more than one elimination this year. Candice is a veteran who can keep others right when things get busy, to be fair.

14. Zelina Vega (January 31st)

Zelina Vega Tiffany Stratton
WWE

Raw > SmackDown jumper Zelina Vega confronted new Women's Champ and tweener Tiffany Stratton backstage on the 31 January blue brand show. There, the seemingly former LWO member announced her entry into the women's Royal Rumble and said she didn't want to waste this chance at a fresh start.

Some on socials have pointed out that it's better late than never with some of these women's Rumble announcements. A while back, it seemed like WWE's creative team had forgotten all about the match. Almost half the field has been revealed pre-PLE since.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. Within the podcasting space, he also co-hosts Benno & Hamflett, In Your House! and Podcast Horseman: The BoJack Horseman Podcast. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, Fightful, POST Wrestling, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett