Brock Lesnar and Chris Jericho are poised to headline the WWE Royal Rumble 2024 lineup, as WWE prepares for a high-stakes event scheduled for January 31st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With reports indicating several absent stars could return for this anticipated pay-per-view, speculation and excitement around the event have continued to mount among fans and insiders.
Major Names Expected to Return for the Royal Rumble
This year’s WWE Royal Rumble will serve as the launchpad for the Road to WrestleMania 42, with its reputation for unpredictability and dramatic comebacks. Chris Jericho, who could make his WWE return as soon as the RAW on Netflix anniversary show on January 5th, is rumored to be signing with the company again, following ongoing discussions about his involvement in the men’s Royal Rumble match. Jericho, at age 55, is expected to potentially square off with Brock Lesnar—rekindling a rivalry rooted in their notorious backstage altercation in 2016.
Brock Lesnar, long known as “the Beast,” is not the only performer reportedly set to rejoin the action in Riyadh. Wrestling insiders shared that LA Knight, Chad Gable, Tiffany Stratton, Jacob Fatu, and Dominik Mysterio are all listed for potential appearances. LA Knight has been absent from WWE television since early December following a storyline attack by The Vision, while Chad Gable has been recovering from a rotator cuff injury suffered in June. Upon his return, Gable is slated to take on a key antagonistic role and reportedly feud with Ludwig Kaiser.
Tiffany Stratton, absent since dropping her WWE Women’s Championship to Jade Cargill at Saturday Night’s Main Event in November, is another possible surprise entrant. Jacob Fatu had previously stepped back for dental surgery in October, sparking hopes that this year could see his career reach new heights. Dominik Mysterio sustained a shoulder injury at AAA Guerra de Titanes in December but is not expected to remain sidelined for an extended period. Whether these stars return during the Rumble or make earlier appearances remains to be seen.
Additionally, Randy Orton was initially reported as a prospective return, but he has already come back to television, making an impactful appearance on SmackDown on January 2nd. Orton interrupted The Miz and issued a stern warning to Cody Rhodes that he intends to challenge for the WWE Championship.
The Tense History Between Jericho and Lesnar
The enduring tension between Chris Jericho and Brock Lesnar adds a unique layer of drama to this year’s WWE Royal Rumble 2024 lineup. Their animosity dates back to SummerSlam 2016, where Lesnar caused a legitimate injury to Randy Orton during a particularly brutal match. Jericho, known for his respect for wrestling traditions, took issue with Lesnar’s actions, which led to a heated confrontation backstage.
In the aftermath, Jericho reportedly confronted Lesnar over what he considered disregard for professional boundaries, sparking an escalation in the so-called gorilla position—an area just behind the curtain where wrestlers prepare to make their entrances. The confrontation intensified when Lesnar allegedly hurled insults at Jericho. Intervention was required; Triple H separated the two, while Vince McMahon acted as a mediator, assuring Jericho that the incident had been scripted.
Despite this fraught history, reports state that Jericho and Lesnar have since reconciled, viewing the 2016 altercation as a resolved issue. This reconciliation proves important as they are likely to share the ring once more, reigniting anticipation among fans who remember the original dispute and the personalities involved. Lesnar has long been recognized as one of wrestling’s safest powerhouses, but the episode involving Orton heightened concerns among his colleagues, especially those closely connected to the injured superstar.
What the 2024 Royal Rumble Could Mean for WWE
The return of major stars like Brock Lesnar, Chris Jericho, LA Knight, Chad Gable, Tiffany Stratton, Jacob Fatu, and Dominik Mysterio signals a potentially dramatic shake-up in WWE’s landscape as the Road to WrestleMania 42 unfolds. With old rivalries potentially reignited and new storylines set to emerge, this year’s Royal Rumble has become a focal point for both speculation and excitement. Industry figures such as Triple H, Vince McMahon, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and The Miz remain central to the evolving narrative, as WWE leverages its roster to deliver intense competition and unexpected twists in Saudi Arabia. These developments are likely to have lasting effects on storylines and championship pursuits throughout the year, keeping fans invested in every moment leading up to WrestleMania.
