Huge surprise entrants and returns at WWE Royal Rumble 2013

With less than one year to go until arguably the most exciting annual wrestling pay per view extravaganza of the 2013 year, the Royal Rumble, the entire WWE Universe is currently sat in awe with anticipation as the rumors in regards to the thirty man Royal Rumble match-up for gold and glory is right around the corner. Each and every year, the Royal Rumble match never fails to shock and amaze, often thanks to its huge returns and its moments of awe. In the past, such huge names as Triple H and John Cena have returned at the Royal Rumble and won the match, and other huge names such as Rob Van Dam, Kevin Nash, Mr. Perfect and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have returned to make their presence known in the iconic over-the-top battle royal.

However, there is already something “different” about the impending 2013 WWE Royal Rumble pay per view in its entirety. Following the shocking events that transpired at WrestleMania 28 in such iconic matches between Chris Jericho and CM Punk for the WWE title, Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan for the world heavyweight title and of course, two of the most highly anticipated matches of all time; The Rock vs. John cena for WrestleMania bragging rights and The Undertaker vs. Triple H in an epic and brutal Hell in a Cell match, exactly what is it that is different about the 2013 WWE Royal Rumble, and why could this Rumble match prove to be the greatest and most important in the history of professional wrestling?

The “Road to WrestleMania” begins in late January 2013 at the WWE Royal Rumble pay per view. This is where it all begins and this year more than ever before, this is the pay per view and the match in which absolutely anything can – and will – happen. Exactly what huge surprise entrants and shocking surprises will come to pass at the Royal Rumble pay per view and how will this affect the impending WrestleMania 28 pay per view which is just a few short months after?

This year, perhaps more than ever, holds plenty of shocks and surprises in regards to the mystery entrants into the 30 man Royal Rumble match. Each and every year, the surprise entrants never fail the WWE Universe and 2013 will be no exception. This year will arguably see some of the biggest and most memorable returns in history, but who could return in the Royal Rumble match and why?

The Undertaker

Arguably the most highly anticipated return in an entire year is impending, and what better time would there be for “The Deadman” to return than at the WWE Royal Rumble? He has won the match before, and he has wrestled on the grandest stage of them all on nineteen separate occasions – and won. The WWE is currently dominated by the youth movement and two former independent sensations in the ego driven CM Punk and Daniel Bryan are the current world champions. There would be no better time for The Undertaker to return and win the Royal Rumble than now, simply because he would go on to WrestleMania to battle a huge youth talent such as Punk or Bryan. Even if he doesn’t return to win it, he could at least show his face to hype a feud with whoever it is he may end up wrestling at WrestleMania. It is obvious that Undertaker will be missing in action following his Hell in a Cell match with Triple H at WrestleMania. However, the road to WrestleMania begins at the 2013 Rumble; why not begin it with “The Deadman’s” WWE return?

Triple H

Much like his WrestleMania 28 Hell in the Cell opponent, The Undertaker, Triple H seemingly only returns at the most necessary moments as of late. He is currently rumored to be returning on WWE Raw the night after the Royal Rumble, so why not add a bit of star power to the match and begin hyping an awesome WrestleMania match? There are few that can handle WrestleMania like Triple H. Much like Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, Triple H is a name that is not only synonymous with WrestleMania, but also with the entire WWE. There would be no better time for “The Game” to return than at the Royal Rumble and in traditional and vintage “Cerebral Assassin” style, pick the most opportune of moments in order to rise to glory and head into WrestleMania a challenger, and leave a champion. If anyone can do it, Triple H can do it better.

Shawn Michaels

It may seem like a long shot considering Shawn Michaels has said on countless occasions that his WWE career is over – but then he returned to the WWE last year as a part of the Kevin Nash vs. Triple H feud. There is no better place for a one off return than the Royal Rumble match. Shawn Michaels is a master of the ring and he has enjoyed success in the Royal Rumble on countless occasions and the 2013 Royal Rumble is no exception. If “The Heartbreak Kid” wants one more chance at glory in the WWE, even if he doesn’t even intend to win, he could quite easily steal the show at the Royal Rumble just by showing his face and then cleaning house the way only HBK can. This would arguably be a 2013 moment that everyone would remember heading into WrestleMania and who knows; perhaps Michaels could shock the world further and win and head into WrestleMania 29 to face and steal the show with a young up and comer such as Daniel Bryan, or maybe even a legend such as Undertaker, Triple H or Sting?

Kevin Nash

“Big Daddy Cool” did it last year, “Big Sexy” can do it this year. Kevin Nash has proved over the course of the last twelve months or more that he still has the “it factor” in the ring. He can still rock the microphone and he is arguably in the best shape of his entire career. He put on a great match against Triple H at TLC 2011 and although he lost and has not been seen in the WWE since, Nash has quite recently taken to Twitter to “confirm” that he will “not” be in the WWE Royal Rumble. Nash is the “king of the work” when it comes to this. Every time he has been booked to return, he has denied it. Last year’s Royal Rumble was no exception. Nash would certainly add the star power to the Royal Rumble and even if he isn’t booked to go over, it would be a great time to set up a feud that will culminate in a WrestleMania match against an old enemy such as Chris Jericho or The Big Show.

The Rock

"The Great One" himself ishocked the world when he faced John Cena in one of the biggest matches not only in WrestleMania history, but also in the entire history of both the WWE and the entire wrestling world. However, The Rock has not been seen in the WWE since their fateful match at WrestleMania 28 in 2012. Considering the "Road To WrestleMania" begins with the Royal Rumble pay per view, it would certainly make sense for The Rock to return at the pay per view and leave his mark. Even if he doesn't return in the Royal Rumble match, he could easily return to cost John Cena his match against "The Big Red Machine" Kane. Keep an eye out for "The People's Champion" to step up the heat at the Royal Rumble, right in time for WrestleMania 29. After all, there is certainly unfinished business between "The Great One" and John Cena following WrestleMania 28.

Sean “X-Pac” Waltman

Sean “X-Pac” Waltman has apparently been working for the WWE lately as a behind the scenes talent. With that being said, let’s talk a few facts about X-Pac. He still has youth on his side; he is under 40 years old. That, and consider the fact that he is still a timeless talent. Simple research in regards to Waltman will show that he has remained active in wrestling whereas most veterans take a leave of absence. Waltman is still flawless in the ring as he always has been. With that being said, if he does have a contract, why not give him a return as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble? It doesn’t have to be just for nostalgia; the WWE could use some veterans that are genuinely talented, and there are few veterans in the world today that still have youth on their side and an endless array of talent as Sean “X-Pac” Waltman. Give him the ball and he will fly to victory in the Royal Rumble.

Brock Lesnar

One man who has been the subject of Internet trends since his shocking retirement from the UFC is none other than Brock Lesnar. The wrestling world and the WWE Universe has been silent in regards to the status of Brock Lesnar, but have they been quiet for a reason? If so, then there stands a good chance that Brock Lesnar has been kept a “silent subject” because he is on the verge of a secret return to the WWE. The Royal Rumble, as we all know, is the king of all pay per views when it comes to shocks and surprises. Brock Lesnar was last seen in the WWE at WrestleMania 20 in 2004. Now, one decade later, it seems that the current generation of WWE fans will be greeted to the man that was once dubbed “The Next Big Thing”. Could Brock Lenar return at WWE Royal Rumble 2013 and take the new year by storm?

Bill Goldberg

Bill Goldberg, for many years, was apparently happy with his retirement from the squared circle. In recent years however, cryptic Tweets from “Da’Man” have hinted at an itch to return to the ring. He first said that he wants his young son to see how his daddy got famous, he then said he wanted to wrestle Batista for charity and now, as recent as a month ago, he said he would most certainly be open for a WWE return if he could sign on to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Considering both men are free agents and both men are quite possibly itching for a return to the WWE, could we see Goldberg return at the Royal Rumble to begin hyping a WrestleMania feud? It may seem like a long shot, but you never know!

Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio has been sidelined with an injury for over half a year. However, he recently re-emerged to give out an award at the WWE Slammy Awards in late 2011. While his return to the ring has not even been slightly confirmed, it would certainly make a lot of sense for Rey Mysterio to shock the world and return at the Royal Rumble. It would make sense for “Rey Rey” to return at the Royal Rumble to begin hyping a WrestleMania match, perhaps against an old rival such as Kevin Nash, or a newer rival such as Alberto Del Rio, CM Punk or even Kane in a mask vs. mask battle. No matter what, a Rey Mysterio return truly would raise the roof!

Christian

It seems like injuries are plaguing the WWE as of late. Another superstar who has had his fair share of injuries in 2011 is Christian. Christian, who was on top of the world as a champion since the retirement of his long-term friend and tag-team partner, Edge, saw his reign cut short due to an injury. He has been a part of the WWE as a heel in a faction along with other heel names, including the Raw GM, but could the Royal Rumble match-up change that? 2013 could potentially be a huge and even a defining year for Christian. As a former WWE champion and a former TNA champion, as well as countless other accolades. In-fact, Christian’s road to glory could begin following a Royal Rumble victory. One of the ultimate underdogs that constantly defies critics; could 2013 be the year that Christian dominates the WWE, and could that domination begin at the Royal Rumble?

Alberto Del Rio

Alberto Del Rio is the true story of a rags to riches wrestler. So soon after his debut, he went on to defeat and even sideline Rey Mysterio, and he then went on to become WWE Champion. Since then, Alberto Del Rio had dominated the WWE until he too was sidelined with an injury. However, Del Rio was only meant to be out for a few weeks, and he has already been out longer. Del Rio had the most successful year of his life in 2011 and it all began when he won the Royal Rumble match-up. 2012 was also a decent year for Del Rio. Could Alberto Del Rio win the match for a second consecutive time in 2013? Alberto Del Rio truly is the total package of talent and charisma in the WWE and he has the ultimate “love to hate” personality that is very reminiscent of John Bradshaw Layfield. Will 2013 be Del Rio’s year once again?

Goldust

Goldust has been taking to Twitter lately, quite literally begging for a match at WrestleMania against his brother, Cody Rhodes. The man behind the paint, Dustin Rhodes, is a widely talented second generation superstar that has been a mainstay in wrestling for over two decades. He has accolade after accolade on his side and as a member of the famous “Rhodes” bloodline, it seems that Goldust wants to pass the Rhodes family torch to his brother so that the flame can live on to enjoy fame and success in the WWE for years to come. If Goldust does return at the Royal Rumble – as he usually does – this time could be different; it may not just be for glitter and shimmer, it may be on a more personal basis, to begin a family feud. Could Goldust cost Cody Rhodes the Royal Rumble match or vice versa and if so, will this result in the Rhodes family dream match coming to pass at WrestleMania 29?

The New Age Outlaws

While “Road Dogg” Jesse James made a return to the WWE quite recently at the Slammy Awards, Billy Gunn has been missing in action for several years. The Royal Rumble is a famous event for its novelty returns and therefore, one team that could make a cameo is none other than The New Age Outlaws. Billy Gunn and Jesse James were once one of the most famous degenerate tag-teams of all time, even going as far as to drive a tank to the WCW headquarters as a sign of war between the then-WWF and the WCW. There is no denying the obvious talent of The Outlaws; they really are one of the best tag-teams to ever lace up a pair of boots and compete in a WWE ring. There is no reason for them to not return as a full-time tag-team to add some much-needed star power to the lacking WWE tag-team division, but if not a full-time return, a one-off, cameo return would certainly not go amiss. “Oh, you didn’t know!”

Mick Foley

Arguably the most famous and controversial Royal Rumble moment featured Mick Foley – three times! In the same Royal Rumble match, he both returned and was eliminated, with all of his alter egos! Cactus Jack, Mankind and Dude Love all tried and failed to win the match-up but now, in 2013, with Mick Foley once again under contract with the WWE, it would certainly be a highly anticipated surprise for the “Hardcore Legend” to make a return to the ring. Foley proved time and time again when he was with TNA Wrestling quite recently after epic matches with the likes of Kevin Nash and Sting that he can still go in the ring. Considering WWE is going for that mask world record, it would make sense for Foley to make one more return to the ring as Mankind and go for world domination in this “Impending Judgment Day” year that is 2013. Would the WWE welcome the return of Mayan-Kind and if so, could the Royal Rumble be Foley’s key to the top of the WWE one last time? It should also be noted that Foley was in brilliant shape and received a standing ovation at the 2012 Royal Rumble.

Legendary Divas

Let us not forget about some of the legendary divas in the history of the WWE. Divas have been a major part of the WWE for decades. Since the 1990s, the WWE divas have taken women's wrestling to the next level. Could such iconic divas as Chyna,Trish Stratus and Lita make an appearance in the 2013 Royal Rumble match? If so, they could potentially go on to bring some star power to the women's roster in 2013 and beyond.

If not for the shocks and surprise entrants, the Royal Rumble pay per view is already expected to be a masterpiece and a great way to kick off the brand new start to a wrestling year that is 2013.

When Royal Rumble Sunday is upon us, do not opt for an online stream or live feed of the WWE Royal Rumble at risk of missing it. Instead, buy the Royal Rumble, split the costs with friends or go to somewhere showing it live. The Royal Rumble is the fastest paced WWE pay per view of the year; watch it properly and enjoy it thoroughly because in forty-eight hours time, the rumors are going to fly, the spoilers are going to be all over the Internet and Royal Rumble fever is going to dominate the WWE Universe and the entire wrestling world - do not be left out in the cold, watch the 2013 WWE Royal Rumble live!