The Royal Rumble is all about surprises—and this year’s women’s match might just belong to Tiffany Stratton. The former WWE Women’s Champion has been off television for a few months, but new reports suggest that Tiffy Time is about to make a grand return on one of WWE’s biggest stages.
Tiffany Stratton Set for Surprise Royal Rumble Return?
Tiffany Stratton hasn’t been seen in action since losing her WWE Women’s Championship to Jade Cargill back in November at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Since then, she’s been recovering from an undisclosed injury, with no official word on when she might return.
However, according to Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select, Stratton has been cleared for a few weeks—and more importantly, she’s in Saudi Arabia. That strongly hints at her being part of this weekend’s Women’s Royal Rumble Match. If this does happen, it will be her second appearance in the annual over-the-top-rope battle.
A Look Back at Stratton’s Rumble History
Stratton previously competed in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble while still part of the NXT roster. She entered at #29 and had a standout performance, making it all the way to the final four before being eliminated by Bayley, who went on to win the match.
She wasn’t part of last year’s Rumble, as she was reigning as the WWE Women’s Champion at the time. That led to a high-profile match at WrestleMania 41 where she successfully defended her title against 2025 Rumble winner Charlotte Flair.
Now, in 2026, it looks like Stratton may once again have her eyes on a WrestleMania moment.
Other Big Names Rumored for the Women’s Royal Rumble
The current lineup includes 17 confirmed names, meaning there’s plenty of room for surprise entrants—and the rumour mill is buzzing with exciting possibilities:
- AJ Lee: Strongly rumoured to return and reignite her rivalry with Becky Lynch, the current Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
- Nikki Bella: WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella was spotted travelling to Saudi Arabia earlier this week, sparking return rumours.
- Sol Ruca: The NXT standout has reportedly been discussed for the Rumble. She’s seen as a rising star and recently impressed in a match against Bayley.
- Lola Vice: Another NXT name in the mix, Vice has gained momentum on Tuesday nights and could use this platform to shine.
Men’s Rumble Surprise: Mr. Iguana?
And in the Men’s Royal Rumble, Wrestlevotes also dropped a wildcard name—Mr. Iguana, a Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide standout, is under consideration for a surprise appearance. If true, it would mark a rare crossover moment between AAA and WWE, adding an international flavour to the match.
