The latest on who might surprise us at Royal Rumble, and one big name who probably won’t (possible spoilers)

There are lots of reason wrestling fans love the Royal Rumble, but the fact that it cranks up the rumor mill regarding who will and won’t show up for a surprise appearance in the 30 wrestler over-the-top-rope elimination match(es) is a big one.

With less than 24 hours to go until the 2019 edition kicks off in Phoenix’s Chase Field, lets run down what the dirt sheets and other outlets are saying about who might be show up on Sun., Jan. 27 when the countdown clock hits zero... and one big name still being advertised who probably won’t:

• Bad news first, but John Cena isn’t expected to be there. At least not according to Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, who says the people who work in creative were always under the impression he wasn’t working the Rumble.

• PWInsider has a couple reports on folks in Phoenix that may or may not be there to do something for WWE’s pay-per-view (PPV). They include names like Big Show, Tye Dillinger, Erick Rowan, Kurt Angle (who appeared at Axxess on Saturday), Sin Cara, Christian and Maryse.

• Hornswoggle is also a name Insider has heard the company expected to use in the Rumble, but as of Saturday morning, they couldn’t confirm he was in town.

• Meltzer notes that Luke Harper isn’t cleared to return yet (as of last Tuesday, anyway), but Rowan is.

• Dolph Ziggler is in Phoenix, but has a stand-up show at 9:30PM local time. Depending on where the men’s Rumble falls on the card, it could be possible for him to do both... provided Nic Nemeth isn’t signing with All Elite or something, of course.

• Wrestling Inc reported a “rumor killer” that Hulk Hogan was in Texas yesterday and not Phoenix. He could still fly to Arizona today, of course.

• Last, and maybe least but who knows, WrestleVotes says WWE has a big surprise planned, but it’s not finalized and “if it happens, everyone should have a genuine reaction to the moment”. They’ve specified it’s not Kenny Omega-related. Inc says “several people” have noted the timing of Friday’s announcement that Roman Reigns is working with The Rock on a movie, and found that interesting in light of this rumor.

Who will be there tonight? Who won’t be?

We’ll have to wait to find out for sure, but it’s never too early to speculate. So have fun!