The Royal Rumble opened the calendar for WWE’s road to WrestleMania in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
For fans in the UK, it was a rare treat as the main event is expected to begin around 9 pm on January 31, giving viewers a primetime window into one of WWE’s most unpredictable nights.
Roman Reigns was victorious, the Tribal Chief was the favourite with data from Gambling.com, specialists in sportsbooks and new online casino offerings, who had him as 11/10 to win the Rumble for the first time since 2015.
The PLE also saw AJ Styles have his retirement match with Gunther before Drew McIntyre retained the Undisputed WWE Championship vs. Sami Zayn.
Creative direction under Triple H once again came under fire. The Rumble is where uncertainty becomes part of the spectacle, but the main event flattered to deceive.
Rumours of Chris Jericho returning didn’t happen, while the likes of Oba Femi and LA Knight were booked poorly, leading to the WWE fans being confused about which direction the next PLE goes in.
Surprise entrants, returning legends, celebrity appearances, and emotional homecomings have become essential parts of the Rumble. They are the moments fans talk about long after the countdown clock fades.
It’s made a lot of fans go back through Netflix and remind themselves of old times and some of the best nights that late January provides.
With that in mind, here is a look back at some of the biggest shock returns in Royal Rumble history.
John Cena – 2008
Cena’s return at Madison Square Garden remains one of the loudest reactions the company has ever recorded. He had suffered a serious pectoral injury only three months earlier and was not expected back for a long time. When his music hit number 30, the crowd erupted. He went on to win the match and delivered a moment that still defines the modern Rumble era.
Edge – 2020
Edge had been retired for nine years due to a neck injury that was believed to be career‑ending. His return to Houston was a genuine shock. The crowd response was immediate and emotional, and his performance in the match showed The Rated R Superstar still had more to give. It marked the start of a successful second chapter in his career, which included feuds with Randy Orton and Seth Rollins.
Christian – 2021
Edge’s kayfabe brother, Christian’s return was quieter but no less meaningful. After seven years away from the ring, most fans assumed his in‑ring career was finished. His appearance in the Rumble, complete with his classic entrance theme, created a powerful moment. His brief reunion with Edge added an extra layer of nostalgia during a difficult pandemic year.
Triple H – 2002
Triple H returned from a torn quad injury looking stronger than ever. His comeback was heavily anticipated, but the reaction he received confirmed his status as one of the company’s top stars in the post-Rock era. It’s fair to say HHH was a mid-carder during the Attitude era, but with Rock going to Hollywood and Steve Austin plagued by injuries, Vince McMahon needed a new star, and his son-in-law stepped up. The Game went on to win the match and set up a major championship run that defined Raw in the early 2000s.
Diesel – 2011
Kevin Nash’s appearance as Diesel was a pure surprise. He entered in full gear with his classic theme, giving fans a sudden burst of 1990s nostalgia. It was not a long‑term return, but it delivered exactly what the Rumble is known for: a moment that gets the crowd on its feet.
Rob Van Dam – 2009
He was the whole F’in show. RVD had stepped away from WWE and was not expected to appear in the match, but with the Rumble back in his hometown of Michigan, the pop was crazy. His entrance at number 25 produced an immediate reaction. He was one of the most popular performers of the mid‑2000s, especially during the ECW relaunch period, and his return reminded fans how much energy he brought to the ring.
Trish Stratus – 2023
Trish Stratus returned at a time when the women’s division had reached new heights. She had carried the division through its most difficult years and helped lay the foundation for the current generation. Her appearance in the 2023 Rumble felt like a passing of the torch moment, especially with stars like Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair leading the division. The reaction she received showed how important she remains to WWE history.
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The Royal Rumble has always been the place where the expected collides with the impossible, and these returns are proof of how powerful a single entrance can be. Each moment shifted the energy of the match, changed the direction of storylines or simply reminded fans why they fell in love with wrestling in the first place.
This year’s was defined by masked strangers, two El Grande Americano appearances and another push for Reigns that many feel wasn’t needed. It certainly sets up a strange new Road to Wrestlemania.
