Nikki Bella appeared during WWE Raw’s first of Netflix. (Credit: Olivera / Getty Images)
The Royal Rumble Women of WWE 2025 took over a back seat for the male match, and yet it promises to be one of the female rumbles most worthy of all time.
Yes, some major threats are looming, namely Charlotte Flair, who is confirmed to return to the battle of 30 women, and Becky Lynch, who signed with WWE and would be back imminent. In addition, the former TNA star, Jordynne Grace, is said to have signed with WWE, adding another first name to the WWE female division and the Royal Rumble Mix.
The names of Grace and Lynch appeared so often in the Royal Rumble discussions, however, that any potential surprise return was essentially spoiled for hardcore fans. These same fans can be assured, however, that with less than half of the confirmed field for the Royal Rumble Women’s match, this fight will be filled with a number of legitimate shocks.
Here are five potential surprise participants in the Battle of Royal Women in WWE Royal Rumble 2025.
Asuka
The WWE creative team has started to explore creative ideas for the return of Asuka, which has been sidelined since May 2024.
One of the most accomplished stars in WWE history, Asuka is a former world champion six times, winner of Bank and winner of Royal Rumble. As such, Asuka is desperately necessary in a WWE female division which is deep with talent but which lacks in terms of main level stars of the main event.
If WWE can bring Flair, Lynch and Asuka back in the same Royal Rumble match, it would certainly be the trifecta of significant yields that could really revitalize the female division. Asuka, of course, could be integrated into Raw or Smackdown as a heel or Babyface, only making her return potential all the more impact if this happens.
And if Asuka presents herself, she would also be a Darkhorse candidate to win her.
Masha Slamovich
In 2022, the world champion of TNA Knockouts, Mickie James, became the first TNA champion to appear on WWE programming while holding the title.
In 2025, the current TNA Masha Slamovich champion could very well follow suit, and the reasoning is simple. Earlier this year, WWE has established its working relationship with the TNA manager and will use this relationship for more opportunities for crossing between the two companies.
Slamovich recently appeared on WWE NXT to face Cora Jade, so WWE has already laid the foundations for the TNA star to jump to the main WWE list for a punctual appearance. Although Slamovich is not as known as James, a former WWE star herself, it is important for WWE to effectively use TNA-WWE crosses.
There is no better opportunity for this than in the Royal Rumble, and as is the current list of TNA, its star n ° 1 is Slamovich.
Roxanne Perez
Roxanne Perez of NXT was involved in a quarrel with Raw Bayley which was mainly relegated to NXT. Well, this is the perfect time to bring this rivalry to the main list.
The WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, which formed Perez, said that he believes that she is ready to move to Raw or Smackdown, but says that she must come at the right time, and he is precisely right. Now it’s a good time too.
The WWE female division is in a little flow, with many talented stars, but many of these stars cannot pierce this proverbial glass ceiling and reach the upper level. There is undoubtedly no better perspective in the WWE female division than Perez, which, at only 23, is already one of the best artists in the WWE ring.
Perez has the potential to be a must in WWE female division for the next or more decade, and a significant appearance of Royal Rumble combined with a main rivalry with Bayley could help him bring it.
Jade Cargill
The absence of Jade Cargill’s WWE has been a subject of burning debate in recent months, but the return of the former AEW star should occur in the near future.
Of course, Cargill was struck off at the end of 2024 as part of a “who dunnit?” Attack an angle that matches the Royal Rumble Female The perfect time and place for it to come back. The story is easy to tell, with Cargill targeting the star who attacked it and put it on the shelf.
So far, WWE has not revealed who attacked Cargill, and its closest allies – Naomi and Bianca Belair – have both denied it. So imagine a scenario where Cargill returns while his attacker, whoever is, is in the ring, she runs towards the ring at a quick pace and goes immediately after her attacker.
This would respond to the mystery without anyone having to say a world and potentially prepare the field for an important Wrestlemania 41 match for Cargill and who whatever his attacker is – Vive Belair or Naomi.
Nikki Bella
After his surprise on The RAW during the first of Netflix, Nikki Bella would have discussed a contract with WWE to return to the company.
Bella was lasting for the last time on a WWE simple match in 2018, but her last appearance in the ring for the company came – as you may have guessed – as a surprise in the royal match rumble 2022. Three years later, the story should repeat itself while Bella potentially makes a full return to the company after a seven -year interruption.
The WWE female division that Bella left was very different from that of the case today, but its impact on women’s struggle cannot be understood. Nikki and her twin brie sister helped make women’s struggle more common, and although they were not the tea cup of everyone, their contributions are undoubtedly significant.
Bella returning to WWE in the Royal Rumble Female would create an immediate buzz and potentially lead to intriguing matches with new stars like Liv Morgan and Tiffany Stratton.