2022 WWE Royal Rumble: A look back at the five best surprise entrants of all time

Nothing hits quite like the Royal Rumble. Every year, fans and members of the media tune in eagerly to see what surprise entrants will return or debut at WWE’s cornerstone event.

The 2022 Royal Rumble has already made headlines with news that reigning Impact Knockouts world champion Mickie James will make an appearance in the women’s Royal Rumble match. It marks an ultra-rare occurrence in which a world champ from a different promotion will appear in the Rumble. It will surely be a memorable moment in an illustrious lineup of notable Rumble moments.

Ahead of Saturday’s pay-per-view event, CBS Sports has amassed five of the most memorable Royal Rumble surprise entrants of all time, plus a bonus entry.

5. Christian — 2021 Royal Rumble

The parallels between Edge and Christian Cage’s career run deep. Seven-time tag team champions, the two found meaningful success in their exploits as singles wrestlers. Edge captured his first WWE championship in 2006 and Christian won the NWA World Heavyweight championship one year later in TNA. Both reached world champion status in WWE, and both their runs were cut short due to career-ending injuries. That is what made it so special when Christian shocked fans as an entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble, one year after Edge made a triumphantly impossible return of his own. Edge and Christian embraced in the ring, a touching reminder of their shared experiences. This marked Christian’s first legitimate match in seven years. Christian subsequently made the jump to All Elite Wrestling and accomplished something truly unique. The veteran headlined pay-per-views in WWE (Royal Rumble), AEW (All Out) and Impact Wrestling (Emergence, Victory Road, Bound for Glory) in a single calendar year.

4. Chris Jericho — 2013 Royal Rumble

Jericho knows a thing or three about exciting, unexpected WWE returns. Nobody anticipated Jericho to make an appearance at the 2013 Royal Rumble….