Best Surprise Entrants in Royal Rumble History

From John Cena to AJ Styles, these unexpected returns and debuts shocked fans at the annual WWE event.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:15pm

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Before the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this article looks back at some of the greatest surprise entrants in the history of the WWE's annual Royal Rumble event, including John Cena's return in 2008, Chris Jericho's comeback in 2013, Bubba Ray Dudley's reappearance in 2015, AJ Styles' WWE debut in 2016, and Edge's return in 2020 after nearly 9 years of retirement.

Why it matters

The Royal Rumble is one of WWE's biggest annual events, and surprise entrants have become a hallmark of the show, generating excitement and anticipation among fans. These unexpected returns and debuts have often led to major storylines and championship opportunities, making them significant moments in WWE history.

The details

In 2008, John Cena made a shocking return as the final entrant in the Royal Rumble match, just months after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. In 2013, Chris Jericho came back to WWE at the Royal Rumble after a 5-month hiatus to focus on his band Fozzy. Bubba Ray Dudley, one half of the legendary Dudley Boyz tag team, returned to WWE at the 2015 Royal Rumble in his hometown of Philadelphia after 10 years away. AJ Styles, a star outside of WWE, made his long-awaited WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble in Orlando. And in 2020, Edge shockingly returned to WWE at the Royal Rumble, nearly 9 years after being forced to retire due to a neck injury.

  • John Cena returned as the final entrant in the 2008 Royal Rumble on January 27, 2008 at Madison Square Garden.
  • Chris Jericho made his surprise return at #2 in the 2013 Royal Rumble on January 27, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Bubba Ray Dudley came back to WWE at the 2015 Royal Rumble in Philadelphia.
  • AJ Styles debuted in the 2016 Royal Rumble on January 24, 2016 in Orlando, Florida.
  • Edge returned to WWE at the 2020 Royal Rumble on January 26, 2020.

The players

John Cena

A 16-time WWE Champion and one of the biggest stars in WWE history.

Chris Jericho

A 7-time WWE Champion and one of the most decorated superstars in WWE history.

Bubba Ray Dudley

One half of the legendary tag team The Dudley Boyz, a 10-time WWE Tag Team Champion.

AJ Styles

A former IWGP, TNA, and ROH World Champion who made his highly anticipated WWE debut.

Edge

A WWE Hall of Famer and 11-time World Champion who was forced to retire in 2011 due to a neck injury.

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The takeaway

These surprise entrants at the Royal Rumble have become some of the most iconic and memorable moments in WWE history, captivating fans and setting the stage for major storylines and championship runs. The element of surprise is a key part of the Royal Rumble's enduring appeal.