WWE Royal Rumble 2012: 9 Possible Surprise Entrants into the Battle Royal

It happens every year. We get the shock of ours lives with something different happening in the Royal Rumble.

If the 30-man, over-the-top event isn't enough, Vince and the boys do something to completely leave us with our jaws hanging on the ground.

With the changes that have been happening as of late in the WWE, nothing this year would surprise me (I crossed my fingers when I said that).

And with everything being equal, I am predicting Chris Jericho wins the event and that CM Punk will be the title holder (I know, big shocker there).

But this truly is an odd year for the WWE to start with all the injuries, confusing storylines and changes from top to bottom of the roster.

Whoever wins is anyone's guess.

But here are a few wrestlers who could surprise us as entrants and stun the crowd in St. Louis.

Mick Foley

He already asked to be included, and, well, John Laurinaitis said, "No!"

If you think that will stop the Hardcore Legend, you are mistaken.

Foley wants into the Rumble and somehow, I think he gets in. I am just not sure yet how that will be accomplished.

Rey Mysterio

He has been out of action since last year, and the return of the Luchador would be a real shot in the arm for the WWE.

Fans would go nuts by seeing the mighty mite plow through opponents with the "619."

And if he won the match and went to WrestleMania 28 in Miami, the fans across the country would blow the roof off.

Brock Lesnar

He should be back in the WWE. Period.

I am not a fan and don't like the idea of him changing his stripes and leaving the company for the NFL, then the UFC, only to return to the WWE.

Stay in one place!

But Lesnar has a place in the brand and undoubtedly would make a huge splash if he used the Royal Rumble to make his return.

Triple H

It's all about the Game and how you play it.

But when it comes to the Royal Rumble, Triple H would not play nicely.

He has not been in the ring since TLC and probably won't be back until WrestleMania 28—if then—should he be involved in a storyline.

The Game proved he can still "go," but he also has been slowed by age.

Nonetheless, it would be great seeing him beat the hell out of younger wrestlers.

Batista

The big man has been openly public in his criticism of the company, stating he does not like the direction it is going.

What better way to change that direction than to be a part of the change.

Vince McMahon

What better way to get Vince on camera than back in the ring?

The muscular owner of the WWE has had no issues in the past beating on wrestlers and taking a beating himself.

Age may play a part in this, but seeing Vinnie Mac on camera and involved again would sure fire up the crowd.

Kharma

I had not actually thought of this until someone commented on an earlier slider I had put together, but this would be the biggest thing to happen since Chyna began wrestling Jeff Jarrett and Chris Jericho.

If Kharma ran down the ring ramp and then started throwing out the smaller men in the ring and held her own for about 10 minutes...

It would be tremendous.

Undertaker

If he came back now, which has its good points and bad, then he comes to the ring as the last contestant and makes short work of many wrestlers, only to confront the one he needs to be at peace with—Kane.

Undertaker's gimmick is still real to many of us and while the younger generation is more inclined to think he is washed up, which he has been through many a battle, just the idea of hearing his theme music and his aura coming to the ring is enough to make all of us 30-somethings get a little excited.

Rob Van Dam

There have been rumors for weeks that Van Dam, a former WWE superstar, is headed back to the company when his contract expires with TNA.

He has not been on the TNA Impact telecasts lately, so could this already be in the works? And Van Dam coming into the Royal Rumble would certainly make enough of an impact on the fans in St. Louis.

A battle with Cody Rhodes or even CM Punk would be tremendous.