WWE Royal Rumble: 15 Shockers You Won't See Coming

Every year the WWE has two big events: Wrestlemania and the Royal Rumble.

While we are still a few months away from "the Granddaddy of them all," we are quickly approaching the Royal Rumble. The only hope for the Rumble is that it's not a retread of the same show we've been getting the last few years. What the Royal Rumble needs is to spice things up.

Here are 15 shockers for the Royal Rumble you won't see coming. 

15.The Mystery Contestant Doesn’t Win The Royal Rumble

In many of the years past there have been mystery slots for wrestlers who have been out of action, due to injury or time off. It seems whenever they make the surprise return they end up winning the Rumble. Last year was an exception and here’s hoping this year is the same. 

14.Jim Ross Returns to the Announcers Table

There may be no one that fans miss more than Jim Ross.

While Michael Cole is getting a reaction out of people with his heel persona, what wrestling fans really want is Jim Ross calling the action. The man has no peer and it’s a tragedy every day he is healthy, willing and not calling the matches.

This Rumble would be most memorable if Ross returned alongside Jerry Lawler, where he belongs. 

13.Macho Man Randy Savage Enters The Rumble

Every year the Rumble is a place where the old timers and the forgotten stars of the past get a chance to get in the ring one more time.

It’s the perfect way too—they can get lost in the sea of people, hit their finisher and then get bounced.  The crowd would love nothing more than to see the Macho Man back on the top rope with the elbow drop. 

12.The Nexus Implodes

There are only two things a faction like Nexus can do in wrestling—they can rise to power or they can fall apart.

While they have beaten a ton of people up, they keep getting bested and don’t have the belt to give them credibility. The Royal Rumble is a great way to have David Otunga turn on Wade Barrett and start a feud within the once powerful faction. 

11.Alex Riley Screws The Miz

If the Miz keeps the belt until the Rumble, then what better way to take it off of him than to have his protégé Alex Riley screw him? This would be a big push to a guy who looks ready to take the next step and set up a feud that could last a few months. 

10.Shane Reveals Himself As The Nexus Leader

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: WWE executive Shane McMahon attends Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on May 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE

It seems like an angle that is dead and buried, but the Nexus used to say they were there for something bigger than anyone knew.  

It would make sense to have Shane be revealed as the leader of the Nexus and the guy who issued the order to put his father in a coma. This could set up a McMahon vs. McMahon Mania main event and also give steam back to a dying faction.

9.The Rock Wins the Royal Rumble

This prediction just might happen and it has enormous potential.

Rumor has it the Rock has been getting the itch for the WWE again. The Royal Rumble would be a great place to see if it’s just an itch or a true passion. The WWE could let the fans decide how they market his return. If they boo, he’ll play the heel. If they cheer(which would be expected), he would play the face. Either way, his return would be welcome because the WWE hasn’t been the same since he left. 

8.Bret Hart Wins The Royal Rumble

It’s not likely to provide the best Wrestlemania match, but it would make for some headlines around the wrestling world. Putting the Excellence of Execution into the Royal Rumble, then letting him walk away with the victory would double the ratings for the Rumble the next evening. 

7.The Raw GM Reveals Himself

Fans have been tormented for months by the sound of email notifications and the whining in Michael Cole's voice. The first PPV of the new year would be a great time for the GM to reveal himself.  If WWE is going to do it, it’s got to be a shocker. 

6.Vince McMahon Takes Out Nexus

McMahon has been in a coma on WWE programming ever since the Nexus took him out months ago.

McMahon is never one to shy away from being in the spotlight, so don’t be surprised if he regains consciousness in time to spoil the party for the Nexus at the Royal Rumble. This could lead into a good ole’ fashioned street fight at Wrestlemania between McMahon and Wade Barrett. 

5.Shawn Michaels Returns

There isn’t a true wrestling fan on the planet who wasn’t captivated by the last two Mania matches between Michaels and Taker.

And although Michaels had to retire after losing last year, this is the business of a million comebacks. Hyping up Taker/Michaels III at the Rumble would be a great way to end Takers streak and let the aging fighter hang it up once and for all.

4.Undertaker Returns

The WWE has let the Deadman lay low while he recovers from shoulder and knee problems. They want him good and ready to go for Wrestlemania, so what better time to start building than at the Rumble? He’s got an axe to grind with his brother, Kane, and interfering with a title match could set up a Mania match for the ultimate battle in sibling rivalry. 

3.Brock Lesnar Ambushes The Undertaker

What if Taker is the mystery contestant in the Rumble?  And when it finally gets down to the final two, Lesnar ambushes the Undertaker, setting the two up for the fight of all fights at Wrestlemania?

It makes sense that Lesnar would do it. He’s been suspended for six months and so MMA is not in the cards. A couple months in WWE equals a big payday for Brock and big ratings for the WWE.

2.Triple H Ambushes Sheamus

It’s likely that we’ll see Triple H back sometime soon.

WWE TV works better when “the Game” is a part of it. Bringing him back and having him ambush Sheamus would set up a Wrestlemania against a worthy opponent. That’s just what the WWE needs.

1.John Cena Turns Heel

Every man and woman over the age of 12 is a bit tired of the Cenation.

The WWE has squeezed every last drop out of the tired Loyalty, Respect and Hustle Cards, and so it’s time to turn for a while. It worked wonders in WCW when Hogan did it and if done effectively, it could be the best turn in the history of the sport.

Plus, if Triple H or Randy Orton wins the Rumble, it would make for a great fight between Cena and either opponent. These guys have fought in the past, but when Cena was a face. Seeing Cena as a heel would give this fight the kick that it needs.