3 Retired wrestlers who could return to WWE in the 2025 Women's Royal Rumble match
The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble is less than a month away, and Triple H will likely have some surprises in store for fans. The men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches are two of the most entertaining the company produces each year. They’re usually full of big moments and surprises.
The matches provide the perfect platform for many veterans and retired wrestlers to return to the ring for a short stay or build a future rivalry. Some former stars have expressed their interest in returning to the ring for a short run or during Royal Rumble bouts.
In this article, we take a look at three retired wrestlers who could return to WWE in the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match.
#3. Kaitlyn has been waiting to get back in the ring
Kaitlyn had a good run in WWE between 2010 and 2014. She returned to the company for a short run in 2018 and seems to have retired from the ring since then.
Kaitlyn revealed that she was present at a Royal Rumble a couple of years ago, but the creative decided against using her. However, she believes she’s ready to go whenever the company wants to give her a chance.
"I think it would be cool to do something at some point. I'm in the best shape ever physically now. I actually went not last year but the year before [to the Royal Rumble], I think. WWE called me to come out. I ended up not doing anything on the show, but I'm open to it."
It would be great to see Kaitlyn make an in-ring return at the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble. She could do so by having one-off encounters or beginning a new rivalry in WWE for another short run with the company.
#2. Nikki Bella appeared at WWE RAW's Netflix premiere
Nikki Bella made headlines with her appearance on RAW’s Netflix debut. The 41-year-old star was a top draw during her time in the company.
Nikki Bella's recent WWE appearance could pave the way for a surprise Women’s Royal Rumble spot in 2025. She could come out to eliminate a couple of top heels to earn a big pop from the crowd.
Speaking on We Got Time Today after her sister's RAW appearance, Brie Bella stated that the twins wouldn’t mind getting in the ring again.
"We’ll see. The wrestling ring has always been our home, and I think that’s the hard thing about getting older, is that there’s that person inside you who, it’s like, ‘I would do anything to go back ten years to compete in the ring against the women today. But it’s time and age. There’s a funny thing to that. So we always want to compete. Every time I watch wrestling, I get fired up. [Nikki] and I would like, ‘Oh, this promo we should cut,’ but we’re like, wait, we’re not even in the business. But you know, you still are always there. So any time if WWE calls and is like, ‘Hey, ladies, we want you back,’ it’s always hard to say no," Brie Bella said.
The Bellas have been away from the ring for quite some time. One of the two could make a return to the ring for a cameo or short run down the road.
#1. AJ Lee could show up during the 2025 Women's Royal Rumble
AJ Lee has been silently watching her husband tear it up on WWE RAW since his return to the company. Many fans expected her to show up during Punk’s rivalry with Drew McIntyre, but she held herself back.
The WWE Universe is hoping to see her return during CM Punk’s rivalry with Seth Rollins. However, she could ignore her husband’s rivalries and simply return for a cameo during the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble.
Lee has always been a top name in the wrestling industry, even though she has retired from the ring. She has mentioned that the fire to wrestle has been in her heart, but she’s unsure whether she can do it physically anymore.
Royal Rumbles provide veterans with a chance to have a short run in the ring. If she appears at Royal Rumble, she could face off with some big stars, including Becky Lynch.
