NXT Superstars, Returning Legends, Other Surprise Entrants for WWE Royal Rumble 2023

The 2023 Royal Rumble pay-per-view is quickly approaching, and the field of competitors for the men's and women's matches will fill up fast.

Even with more than enough Superstars on the main roster alone to work with for the 30-person contests, WWE always manages to sneak in a few surprise entrants along the way.

These can come from NXT or other companies, are celebrities and retired legends popping up for a guest appearance, and even injured Superstars making a shocking return.

These surprise participants are part of what makes the Royal Rumble arguably the most exciting match of the year, and the 2023 edition has major potential to follow suit.

As unpredictable as the wrestling landscape this year may be, let's try to guess some of the men and women who will compete in this year's Royal Rumble matches on January 28.

The Rock

Credit: WWE

It has been confirmed Cody Rhodes will make his return at the Royal Rumble, but if there is one person who stands a better chance of facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, it's The Rock.

WWE has not announced—or even teased—that The Great One will be appearing, but if it does happen, the Alamodome in San Antonio will erupt.

Until there is confirmation he won't be appearing, The Rock remains one of the favorites to win the men's Rumble match.

Nick Aldis

Credit: NWA

Nick Aldis is no longer under contract with the National Wrestling Alliance. And as a free agent, nothing should stand in his way of appearing in the men's Royal Rumble.

However, the 36-year-old told The Kurt Angle Show in September that he's wanted to go to WWE in the past and still has interest in a move (h/t Andrew Thompson of Post Wrestling).

Triple H has always shown more of an appreciation for wrestlers from other companies, so it stands to reason Aldis has been on his radar for some time.

Even under Vince McMahon's control last year, Aldis' wife, Mickie James, arrived in the women's Royal Rumble holding the Impact Knockouts Championship.

Could her husband do something similar on January 28 and line up against former rival Cody Rhodes at the Alamodome?

Chelsea Green and Matt Cardona

Credit: WWE

Zack Ryder had a good run in WWE, but he's leveled up considerably since leaving and competing on the indies under his real name, Matt Cardona.

His presence in the men's Royal Rumble match will be a much bigger deal now than before.

Cardona says he's "alwayz ready" and even teased a potential Rumble return on Twitter, which was met with positive response from fans, and he's conveniently filed a trademark for his old ring name on January 14, furthering speculation there is something to this return.

What might entice him even more to come back is that his wife, Chelsea Green, has reportedly already signed to return to WWE.

In November, she told WrestleZone that she has unfinished business in WWE and would prefer going there rather than All Elite Wrestling.

If all this is true, she could be considered almost a lock to enter the women's Rumble match.

Perhaps she'll be accompanied by Deonna Purrazzo, who might have teased a move last month.

The Great Muta

AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling are the overall focal points of the Forbidden Door concept, but WWE has had its share of company crossovers from time to time.

We saw Jushin Thunder Liger perform at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn against Tyler Breeze in August 2015, and deals have been worked out in the past with Impact and even AEW.

On January 1, Shinsuke Nakamura was loaned to Pro Wrestling Noah for a match against The Great Muta as part of Keiji Muto's retirement tour.

Perhaps there is an agreement in place for Muto to be a guest in the men's Royal Rumble?

Logan Paul and/or Tyson Fury

Logan Paul's injury makes him unlikely to be in the men's Royal Rumble match, but if he's healed up enough, he will be in the contest.

Two months prior to Paul's match against Reigns at Crown Jewel in November, Tyson Fury got involved at Clash at the Castle in Cardiff, Wales

Fury, who competed at Crown Jewel 2019 against Braun Strowman, has spoken about returning to WWE.

With Jake Paul set to fight Tommy Fury in the boxing ring on February 25, this could be the perfect time to see their brothers square off in the squared circle and maybe set something up for WrestleMania 39.

John Cena

John Cena was just able to get one match in for 2022 to maintain his streak of appearing in a WWE contest every year. This year, he may want to check that off his list early, as well as potentially set up something for WrestleMania.

Cena is a WWE legend who could go up against anyone at any time and help them make a name for themselves.

It's been teased for some time that the 45-year-old could get involved in a rivalry with Austin Theory. And where better to start that than in the men's Royal Rumble?

An elimination either way could trigger a match between the two at The Show of Shows for the United States Championship, which is a belt synonymous with Cena.

Edge and Beth Phoenix

Credit: WWE

Cardona and Green may not be the only married couple to compete at Royal Rumble, as Edge and Beth Phoenix still have unfinished business with The Judgment Day.

The Rated-R Superstar seems certain to return after being written off television in an injury angle and would likely target Finn Bálor, Damian Pearce and Dominik Mysterio from the heel stable.

However, Phoenix may prove to be the answer to the question: "Who can stop Rhea Ripley?"

The Glamazon is more than powerful enough to take on The Nightmare, and they haven't had any true clashes yet. This could be the setup for something between them at Elimination Chamber in Montreal next month or WrestleMania 39 in April.

RK-Bro: Randy Orton and Matt Riddle

Credit: WWE

Fans have been in the dark when it comes to the status of Randy Orton and Matt Riddle.

Orton has been out of action since May due to a back injury, and Riddle was written off TV last month due to reportedly failing a drug test, according to Cassidy Haynes of BodySlam.net.

A reunion for RK-Bro could be in store, though, if both Superstars are healthy and in a good position to return to action.

The men's Rumble would also be a perfect means to split them up, with one eliminating the other to cause a feud that could be played out until WrestleMania.

Naomi

Credit: WWE

Naomi has not been seen in the company since she and Sasha Banks vacated the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship and walked out last May.

At this point, it would be surprising to see her return at all, particularly since Banks went to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Naomi went to Japan in support of her friend.

However, The Road to WrestleMania is an "all hands on deck" affair for WWE. Maybe this is the time when negotiations have been hashed out and an agreement is made for Naomi to come back with a renewed push.

If she turned heel and joined The Bloodline, she would instantly shoot up to the top of the favorites list as a challenger for Bianca Belair or Charlotte Flair.

NXT Talent

Credit: WWE

Even if all those others don't show up, WWE can always pull from the NXT roster and Performance Center recruits.

To venture a guess on possible names, though, look at the ones who are booked most frequently, as those are typically the ones WWE sees having the brightest future.

On the women's side, Nikkita Lyons and Zoey Stark, as well as Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne, all had matches on the main roster last year. It is less likely for Toxic Attraction to be in the Royal Rumble than Lyons and Stark, though, as they'll be fighting for Roxanne Perez's title at Vengeance Day on February 4.

Indi Hartwell is another to look out for, along with Cora Jade and Tiffany Stratton. All three are regular focal points on Tuesday nights.

For the men's match, Carmelo Hayes tops the list, even above Grayson Waller and Bron Breakker, though both have strong chances. Hayes just edges them out due to not having a Vengeance Day title match a week later.

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Anthony Mango is the owner of the wrestling website Smark Out Moment and the host of the podcast show Smack Talk on YouTube, Spotify and everywhere you find podcasts. You can follow him on Facebook and elsewhere for more.