It is officially Royal Rumble week, and fans are anticipating the surprise appearances that define this time of year. Whether it be a returning legend, a debuting superstar, or a celebrity sighting, unforeseen moments and memories have become synonymous with the January classic. Even though the Royal Rumble is taking place outside of North America for the first time ever, emanating from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this year is expected to be no different regarding shock value.
According to a new report, WWE officials are confident in their ability to deliver these surprises despite the logistical hurdles of international travel. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select has confirmed that WWE Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque does indeed have a few tricks up his sleeve for this weekend. The logistics of getting talent to the Kingdom have reportedly been streamlined to protect key secrets.
“WWE’s charter with talent takes off in the wee hours after this week’s WWE Raw, and the talent will be there all week to prepare for Smackdown and the Royal Rumble,” Ross Sapp wrote in his report. “There are also plans to bring in talent on their own later in the week, including surprise names.”
For years, fans have questioned how WWE could possibly hide surprise entrants when they are required to charter flights for long-haul international trips. However, sources told Fightful Select that the specific nature of this travel actually makes concealment easier than domestic shows. “In previous years, WWE would have to worry about people seeing the talent travel in at various airports, especially with autograph hounds stalking out talent hotels and airports,” the report stated. “Now, many there feel as if with their plane chartered, and more privacy provided at their air strip and hotels, it will be easier to keep that quiet.”
The rumor mill is spinning regarding who might be on those private flights. The biggest name to keep an eye out for is Chris Jericho. Speculation has been swirling for months that the nine-time world champion is leaving AEW for one final tour of duty in WWE. As of this writing, he is still listed as an active competitor on AEW’s roster page, but his contract reportedly expired at the end of 2025.
Another significant name potentially making waves is Powerhouse Hobbs. The former AEW talent, whose contract expired earlier this month, is reportedly set to make his debut this weekend. Reports indicate that Hobbs has signed with WWE and will wrestle under the new ring name “Royce Keys.”
Additionally, the folks at BodySlam reported in early January that Brock Lesnar, LA Knight, and Chad Gable were all expected to be in Riyadh ahead of the Royal Rumble. The women’s division could also see major reinforcements, with Tiffany Stratton expected to return after being out of action since November with an undisclosed injury. Furthermore, AJ Lee is expected back soon to continue her heated feud with Becky Lynch. While there’s been no report about her return being imminent, most fans are hoping that Bianca Belair will finally make her long-awaited comeback this weekend as well. “The EST” has not wrestled since she broke her knuckle against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY at WrestleMania 42.
