At WWE’s Royal Rumble Premium Live Event, former AEW star Powerhouse Hobbs debuted under the name Royce Keyes, becoming one of several unexpected highlights of the evening. Other surprises included the return of Brie Bella, appearances by AAA’s Mr. Iguana, and the original El Grande Americano, all taking part in the men’s and women’s Rumble matches.
There was speculation that Chris Jericho might make a WWE comeback at the Rumble event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but his status remains uncertain. Although Jericho did not appear, he is still listed on AEW’s active roster.
Former AEW star Paige (known as Sarayah), who left AEW in March 2025, hoped for a WWE return at the Royal Rumble as well. After a break from wrestling despite fan demands for her comeback, Paige made a surprise appearance at an independent wrestling show in late December, fueling rumors about her possible WWE return. However, she did not appear at the Royal Rumble. When asked about her absence on Freddie Prinze Jr.’s podcast, “Wrestling with Freddie,” Paige shared that she wanted to be part of the event, but the decision was out of her hands and rested with WWE. She acknowledged fans’ desire to see her back, saying, “Everyone obviously wants me back.”
Paige originally exited WWE in July 2022 after retiring in 2018 due to a neck injury and not receiving medical clearance from WWE doctors. Interestingly, she later resumed wrestling in AEW, where she captured the AEW Women’s World Championship in London. However, she departed AEW by mutual agreement because the storylines didn’t suit her.
It’s possible WWE chose to limit multiple Divas Era stars’ appearances at the Rumble to preserve the impact of Brie Bella’s surprise return, which also saw her reunite with her twin sister Nikki as the Bella Twins.
Looking ahead, Paige remains enthusiastic about a WWE comeback with WrestleMania 42 as a likely stage for her return. The path to WrestleMania often brings major surprises beyond just the Royal Rumble. Given a potential Intercontinental Championship match between Becky Lynch and AJ Lee, Paige could be woven into this storyline — either supporting AJ or creating dramatic conflict.
With the women’s tag team division stronger than ever, an AJ and Paige reunion would fit perfectly, blending the nostalgia of the Divas era with today’s generation and adding fresh intrigue to WWE programming.
Fan Take: Paige’s potential return is exciting news for WWE fans craving a blend of past and present talent, promising fresh storylines and renewed rivalries. Her comeback could inject new energy into the women’s division and set the stage for unforgettable moments at WrestleMania and beyond.
