WWE Royal Rumble 2016: Power Ranking Most Likely Surprise Entrants into Rumble

On January 24, the Royal Rumble will hit the WWE Network airwaves as the first major pay-per-view spectacular of the new year. Traditionally one of the most exciting shows, the unpredictability of the 30-man main event has been key to its success since 1988.

Despite the winner being a foregone conclusion more times than not, the entry order of the announced Superstars and, more importantly, the appearances of numerous surprise competitors have kept fans on the edges of their seats.

In 2016 more so than in recent years, the potential exists for several high-profile surprises to affect the outcome of the Rumble bout. With the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at stake, it makes perfect sense that the company would introduce internationally recognized stars to the mix, not to mention a future Hall of Famer or two while it's at it.

With just over a week until the annual extravaganza hits the airwaves, live from Orlando, Florida, enjoy this look at the four Superstars most likely to surprise fans by entering the biggest match of the year.

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4. The Rock

It has already been announced, by way of WWE.com, that The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment will appear at WrestleMania, so a possible appearance at the Royal Rumble is not out of the question. This is especially true when taking into account that one of the statues shown in the pay-per-view advertisement that airs during Raw and SmackDown is of The Rock delivering his signature Rock Bottom finisher.

Of everyone on this list, the likelihood that The Rock appears is significantly lower. His schedule is insanely busy and accommodating WWE is not always possible. But if he can make it happen, do not be surprised to see The Great One explode through the curtain and possibly set in motion events that will lead to his WrestleMania appearance in Dallas meaning a great deal to that broadcast.

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3. Triple H

The Game really does not need to enter the Royal Rumble match, given the fact that he has The Authority to book himself a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match whenever he damn well pleases, but it would not be out of the realm of possibility for the chief operating officer of WWE to make his shocking return in the Rumble, screwing Roman Reigns out of his title and setting up a gigantic main event match for WrestleMania in Dallas.

A previous Rumble winner, Triple H has not been seen on WWE television since a brutal and vicious assault at the hands of Reigns, planting the seeds for the underhandedness that his entry into the match would certainly bring with it.

While others on this list may elicit a greater surprise, The Game's appearance would be of greater significance to ongoing storylines.

Credit: WWE.com

2. Finn Balor

The current NXT champion has accomplished just about all there is to accomplish in the developmental brand, reigning as its top star for months.

The Royal Rumble presents opportunities for Superstars to make a first impression, as witnessed by Bo Dallas and Rusev in the past. Balor could be added to that list on January 24 when WWE presents the latest installment in the Rumble event.

What better way to introduce The Demon to the members of the WWE Universe unfamiliar with him and his style than by letting him fill them in during a match in which the top prize in the industry is at stake. 

With a main roster call-up coming sooner than later, WWE could very well fill the void left by so many injured Superstars by adding Balor to the mix.

1. AJ Styles

With WWE.com's teases of AJ Styles' impending debut with the company intensifying, it is a distinct possibility that the former TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling star will make his first appearance at a Vince McMahon-promoted pay-per-view on January 24.

That is exactly the type of surprise that would create buzz for the WWE product heading into WrestleMania, and the company is more than aware of that. With John Cena, Seth Rollins, Cesaro and Randy Orton sidelined due to significant injuries, Styles would be the sort of name value the company would cherish as it tries to put together a card worthy of drawing 100,000 fans to Dallas for the biggest event of the year.

The talk of the wrestling world from the moment the idea that he could be joining the company broke, Styles would inject the company with an excitement and energy not seen in years.