The birth of a new year always excites wrestling fans. It is because of the January tradition, the Royal Rumble event. The most exciting factor is the Royal Rumble match itself. Usually, the fans get to witness 1 Royal Rumble match every year but, in 2018 that changed as the fans got to watch the first-ever 30-Women Royal Rumble match. Since then it has been a double treat for wrestling fans.
This year, we are in for a feast. Not only is this year’s Rumble totally unpredictable but also, with the ‘forbidden door‘ opened, the fans are wondering who all could walk through it. With that being said, let’s take a look at the list of confirmed superstars and who could potentially win the match among the list.
List of announced participants
01. Dana Brooke
The current 24/7 Champion will be entering her 5th Royal Rumble appearance. We can expect some 24/7 Championship shenanigans taking place and that could be one of the reasons for Brooke to be eliminated.
02. Shotzi
Shotzi is a wild card in the match. She recently turned heel but since then she has not been as active on television. This will be her third Rumble appearance. Shotzi has not performed as much in her previous appearances, but maybe the third time is a charm.
03. Aliyah
Aliyah created a world record on her SmackDown debut with have the fastest win in a single’s match. So will she making a record on her Royal Rumble debut? We will have to wait and watch.
04. Natalya
The Queen of Harts, has been in every single Women’s Royal Rumble match. Although she has not had a great track record, she has shown potential. With that being said, it is highly likely that her current feud with Aliyah could play a lot in the match. Maybe she gets the record for the fastest elimination.
05. Tamina
As the saying goes, ‘There’s nobody Meaner than Tamina‘. Tamina has posed a threat in all the 5 Rumble matches. But, she usually gets eliminated by a group of superstars. So, if Tamina avoids getting ganged up on, then she might have a chance to win the match.
06. Queen Zelina
Zelina has had an interesting 2021. She was released from the company and then was re-hired. She won the first-ever Queen of the Ring tournament and now is one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Will 2022 also be as successful for her?
07. Carmella
Carmella is the other half of the current WWE Women’s Tag Team champions.
08. Summer Rae
Summer Rae will be making her return to in-ring action in the WWE at the Royal Rumble. She has not been part of WWE for 4 years. Summer was not known for her in-ring ability or her performance on a microphone. So has she actually improved on those skills? We will know soon.
09. Kelly Kelly
Another superstar making her return for the Rumble is the, forever gorgeous Kelly Kelly. She is also a former Divas Champion.
10. Naomi
Naomi is one of the popular faces when it comes to the Royal Rumble. She is basically the ‘Kofi Kingston‘ of the Women’s Rumble. Just like Kofi, Naomi also finds unique ways to stay in the match. Wonder what she will do to keep herself safe from elimination.
11. Sonya Deville
Upset over her loss against Naomi last night, Sonya announced that she will also be entering into the Royal Rumble. Will Sonya spoil the Rumble for Naomi or will she get embarrassed by Naomi again?
12. Nikki A.S.H
The former Raw Women’s Champion is set to make an impact in the Royal Rumble. Taking up the super-hero persona got her first ever single’s championship. Now that she has undertaken a new heel persona, Nikki could have an impressive showing at the event.
13. Rhea Ripley
Rhea has always had an impressive showing at the Rumble, last year she was so close to winning the whole thing. Considering that, Ripley is one of the strong contenders to win it all.
14. Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair won last year’s Royal Rumble match entering at no.3. Belair holds multiple records. She holds the record for the most Rumble eliminations, longest time spent in a single Rumble and the first African American female to win the Rumble. Bianca could make history again by becoming the first female to win 2 Rumbles and that to consecutively.
15. Shayna Baszler
One of the 2 records that is not held by Bianca is the overall eliminations in the Rumble matches. That is held by the Queen of Spades, Shayna Baszler. Shayna is also tied for the most eliminations in a single Rumble alongside Belair. Shayna may not be the favourite to win the match but she is definitely one to be feared.
16. Michelle McCool
Another WWE legend, has already shown us that ‘she still got it‘. McCool made an impact in the first Rumble with 5 eliminations. McCool is certainly one to watch out for.
17. Liv Morgan
Liv is certainly a dark horse to win the Rumble. She has been ridiculed by the Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch that she can never win the big match. Liv can shut all the doubters if she wins the Rumble this year.
18. Brie Bella
Brie Bella is a WWE Hall of Famer and is the wife of current AEW Star Bryan Danielson. It has been a while since Brie has entered the squared circle. She gave birth to her second child back in 2020. It will be interesting to see if she still has any ring-rust.
19. Nikki Bella
If Brie is making her return, then of course so should her sister Nikki Bella. Proven to be the better wrestler, Nikki also is one of the strongest contenders to win the Rumble.
20. Mickie James
Mickie James will be making history in this Royal Rumble because she will be the first superstar to enter the Rumble holding a title from a different promotion. James’ announcement was the starting point for the discussion if the ‘forbidden door‘ is open.
21. Lita
Lita is another WWE Hall of Famer and is one of the trailblazers who paved the way for the current female wrestlers. She has done it all in the WWE, except for winning the Royal Rumble. Will this be her time? Only time will tell.
22. Charlotte Flair
Charlotte is one of the greatest stars when it comes to female athletes. Her father, Ric Flair has won a Royal Rumble to become champion, can Charlotte win the match as a champion? It is a feet that no one has ever achieved and if anyone can, it is the Queen.
23. Sasha Banks
Last night on SmackDown, the Boss made her return. It was rumoured that she will be out of action for several months due to an injury but it looks like she is back and ready to rumble. Now that she is in the mix, she also is a strong contender to win the match tomorrow.
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Who will win Royal Rumble 2022?
These are the superstars that have already been announced. We have 7 vacant spots. We could see NXT stars show up, maybe even a couple more legends or from different promotions. Tune in this Saturday on Peacock and the WWE Network to see what happens. My pick to win the match is the returning, Bayley. I had my doubts earlier, but seeing Sasha Banks make her return, I am certain that Bayley is winning the Rumble and will soon become SmackDown Women’s Champion again. Bayley and Sasha could be the final two superstars in the match.
Who are your picks to be in the final four? Let us know.