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Neil Docking

WWE Royal Rumble 2020 rumours: Latest on mystery entrants for men's and women's elimination matches

Royal Rumble matches are loved by WWE fans for many reasons but number one has to be the element of surprise.

Tonight will see the 23rd edition of the annual pay-per-view broadcast live from the Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

There will be both men's and women's Royal Rumble contests for viewers to enjoy, each featuring 30 superstars.

Women's Royal Rumble Match 2020 (© WWE)

The over-the-top-rope elimination matches see two stars start the match, then a new one enter the fray every two minutes.

We know WWE Champion Brock Lesnar will be number one in the men's match, as the Beast Incarnate fancies a challenge.

Twenty six other competitors have been named for the men's contest, leaving three vacant spots for surprise returns or debuts.

Roman Reigns is currently the overwhelming bookmakers' favourite to win the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble, at odds of 1/2.

Drew McIntyre is 10/3 with Sky Bet, Lesnar 13/2, and Kevin Owens 12/1, with Seth Rollins languishing down at 33/1.

However, there are two HUGE names among the bookmakers' favourites, including legendary stars CM Punk and Edge.

The Men's Royal Rumble Match 2020 (© WWE)

Many fans would lose their minds if Punk, who is now part of WWE Backstage, the FOX Network analysis show, returns.

An even more shocking appearance however would be 11-time world champion Edge, who had to quit the ring due to injury.

Punk is 4/1 to win the Rumble, Edge 9/1, and another possible surprise entrant, the MMA great Cain Velasquez, 15/2.

Edge celebrates with Lita after winning the WWE Championship by cashing-in his Money in the Bank briefcase on John Cena (© WWE)

Six-time world champion Punk tipped new NXT North American Champion Keith Lee, at 14/1, to win the contest.

Fans meanwhile would love to see a return for John Cena(20/1), The Rock (33/1) or The Undertaker (50/1) return.

Meanwhile, only nine out of the 30 women have been confirmed for their version of the classic showdown, leaving 21 spots free.  

Shayna Baszler torments Kairi Sane (© WWE)

Former NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler is expected to make her Rumble debut and win the bout, at odds of 1/3.

But the former MMA star could be rivalled by her close friend and the biggest name in women's MMA history, Ronda Rousey.

The former WWE Raw Women's Champion hasn't been seen in a WWE ring since last WrestleMania and has odds of 9/2.

Charlotte Flair is confirmed for the match already and at odds of 13/2 is a solid bet, as is her great rival Sasha Banks, at 13/2.

Could current NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley (11/1) cause a stir? It's likely she will be involved at some stage.

However, a comeback for CM Punk's wife, former women's champ AJ Lee (28/1), seems even less likely than his return.

Equally unlikely to be seen competing once more is British wrestling great Paige, forced to retire due to an unfortunate neck injury.

For all the talk of her making a comeback, betting on the Norfolk grappler at 10/1 is sadly likely to be a waste of money.

Watch WWE Royal Rumble 2020 live on the WWE Network or on BT Sport Box Office at midnight on Sunday, January 26.

You can follow all the action as it happens in the Mirror Sport WWE Royal Rumble 2020 Live Blog. 

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