WWE Returns: Royal Rumble 2015 Surprise Entrants Include Former WWE World Heavyweight And TNA Champs

The 2015 Royal Rumble begins the road to WrestleMania 31 on Sunday, and should be one of the best pay-per-views of the year. Not only will the event determine a participant in the main event of WrestleMania 31, but it’s also expected to feature the return of several WWE superstars.

Each year, the 30-man Royal Rumble is highlighted by wrestlers that haven’t been in WWE in a few months, or even years. Last year, Kevin Nash was the 14th entrant, while JBL stepped out from behind the announcers’ table and entered the match, only to be quickly eliminated. Batista won last year’s Royal Rumble in his first match since 2010.

A few more surprise entrants are expected to make an appearance at the 2015 Royal Rumble.

Former WWE Wrestlers

It’s been a decade since the Dudley Boyz appeared in WWE, but there are rumors that one of the top tag teams in history will be making their return. According to PWInsider, Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley have spoken to WWE. It’s unknown if the two former stars of the Attitude Era will enter into the Royal Rumble, but 2015 might be the best chance WWE has had in a few years to pull off a Dudley Boyz reunion.

After leaving WWE, Bubby Ray became Bully Ray in TNA, where he was one of the company’s top stars, holding the World Heavyweight Championship for much of 2013. In 2014, Bubba and D-Von reunited as a tag team in TNA, but the two are no longer under contract with the promotion.

There have also been rumors that Diamond Dallas Page could enter the battle royal, though that appears to be unlikely.

Current WWE Wrestlers

Two current WWE superstars that haven’t appeared on TV in a few months are expected to make their returns on Sunday. Both Randy Orton and Sheamus have been out of action, since before Survivor Series in November. Orton took a leave of absence to film “The Condemned 2,” while Sheamus has missed time with an injury.

Both wrestlers could find themselves in major storylines, upon their returns. While Roman Reigns is the favorite to win the Royal Rumble, Orton is one of the few entrants that would have any chance to win the match, and he’ll likely feud with Seth Rollins before WrestleMania 31. There have been rumors that Sheamus will return as a heel, which he hasn’t been in a few years.

Bo Dallas is also expected to return at the Royal Rumble, having missed much of the second half of 2014 with an injury.

Part-Time WWE Wrestlers

Rob Van Dam has worked on and off in WWE since Money in the Bank 2013, and it appears he’ll be back in WWE, at least for one night. According to Wrestlezone, RVD will be an entrant in the 30-man battle royal. Van Dam hasn’t wrestled in WWE since the summer.

When Batista left WWE after Payback, it seemed that the 2014 Royal Rumble winner might return for a match at WrestleMania 31. That no longer appears to be the case, though, and Batista isn’t expected to be in the match on Sunday.

Chris Jericho has made several returns to WWE in the last few months, but he has said he will only be working house shows on the road to WrestleMania 31.