The 2026 women’s WWE Royal Rumble promises to be an unpredictable showdown, with the absence of a clear frontrunner setting the stage for unexpected twists and turns in the 30-woman contest.
Last year’s event was no stranger to surprises either. Legendary wrestler Trish Stratus made a rare appearance, while fellow WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella entered as the 30th competitor. However, advance rumors about Bella’s comeback somewhat lessened the element of surprise.
Despite this, both Stratus and Bella made notable impacts, and the event also featured talented NXT stars like Stephanie Vaquer and Lash Legend at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. For 2026, WWE is expected to blend returning icons with emerging NXT talents, staging the event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Here are five possible surprise contenders for the 2026 women’s WWE Royal Rumble.
After a brief hiatus due to injury, former world champion Tiffany Stratton is anticipated to make her return soon, aligning with plans for a major WrestleMania storyline.
Tiffany Stratton
After missing some TV time due to an injury, former world champion Tiffany Stratton is reportedly expected to return soon in preparation for a significant WrestleMania storyline.
Though it’s unclear exactly how Stratton fits into WWE’s immediate creative plans, it’s likely that she will be positioned in a top storyline immediately. Stratton, after all, has spent virtually her entire main roster career in a high-profile role, and after a lengthy layoff, she should come back with a renewed push and fan backing.
Stratton had lost a lot of momentum as a babyface during her feud with Jade Cargill, so the time off, coupled with a major WWE Royal Rumble return, could be exactly what she needs to get back on track.
Blake Monroe
While WWE reportedly is not calling up NXT stalwart Blake Monroe right now, WWE has typically used a handful of its 30 Royal Rumble slots to spotlight some NXT stars.
Monroe, formerly Mariah May in AEW, is one of the top prospects in NXT after a stellar run in AEW, and in the long-term, she should be a major force in the women’s division on the main roster as well. For now, though, WWE can do what it often does in the Royal Rumble and utilize it as a way to briefly introduce a star to main roster WWE fans.
This has happened countless times in the past, like last year when NXT’s Stephanie Vaquer appeared, and with Monroe ranking among the top stars in NXT, she’s a strong candidate to show up announced and make some noise in Saudi Arabia.
AJ Lee
Despite reports that AJ Lee signed a full-time WWE deal last year, that apparently is not the case, and Lee simply remains a beloved, albeit seldom seen, part-time performer.
Lee’s return should be on the horizon given that she is reportedly “locked in” to a WrestleMania 42 singles match against Becky Lynch . Perhaps WWE brings back Lee as a surprise Royal Rumble entrant in order to rekindle that rivalry with Lynch, who is once again the Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
That would set up the first-ever Lynch vs. Lee singles match, which would certainly be a great attraction for the women’s division at WrestleMania 42. If WWE has other plans in mind for Lynch, however, the Royal Rumble is still a great platform for Lee to return and kick off a WrestleMania feud with any one of a number of great performers in WWE’s women’s division.
Paige
WWE officials are reportedly confident that they will be able to hide surprise entrants in the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia without spoiling the surprise.
And of all the potential surprise returns WWE fans could see in Riyadh, there is arguably none bigger than Paige. Performing under her real name Saraya in AEW, Paige mutually parted ways with the company in March 2025 but has recently expressed her desire to wrestle again.
One of the early trendsetters of the women’s evolution in WWE, Paige’s in-ring career there ended in 2017 thanks to a serious neck injury. Obviously, Paige wound up wrestling again, and it’s unclear if WWE would ever clear her for in-ring action. But there is certainly a reason to be optimistic about that given that both Daniel Bryan and Edge were ultimately given the greenlight to wrestle in WWE after similar injuries.
While Paige’s days as a full-timer are likely a thing of the past, she could certainly show up at WWE Royal Rumble and/or follow in the footsteps of Lee as a part-timer.
Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair has been out of action since WrestleMania 41 in April 2025 after suffering a gruesome finger injury.
Recovery from that injury has been difficult for the former world champion, but the widespread expectation is that she will be ready to step back into the ring in the near future. If she does, there is no better time or place for her triumphant return than the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, where she’d also be a frontrunner to win the whole thing.
There is, after all, a ready-made opponent waiting for Belair in Jade Cargill, her former tag team partner who is currently holding SmackDown’s WWE Women’s Championship. That would be a logical and effective storyline that could carry SmackDown through WrestleMania 42 and beyond.
But of course, Belair has to return at WWE Royal Rumble 2026 first.
