WWE Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque made a live appearance on ESPN’s Get Up this morning to promote the upcoming Royal Rumble Premium Live Event. With speculation running rampant regarding potential surprise entrants, Levesque added fuel to the fire with a direct comment about the Men’s Royal Rumble match.
“There are a lot of surprises in store,” Triple H said when asked about the 30-man over-the-top-rope elimination match.
The comments come as fans anticipate the surprise moments and memories that have become synonymous with the January classic. Even though the Royal Rumble is taking place outside North America for the first time ever, emanating from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this year is expected to be no different in terms of shock value. According to a new report from Fightful Select, WWE officials are confident they can deliver these surprises despite the logistical hurdles of international travel.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select previously reported that the logistics of getting talent to the Kingdom have 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. “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. 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 ryn 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 is reportedly set to make his debut this weekend 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.
