WWE fans are buzzing with excitement as preparations for the 2025 Royal Rumble, to be held on February 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, take center stage. The anticipation surrounds not only the matches planned but also the drama between major wrestlers such as Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens.
Cody Rhodes, known as 'The American Nightmare,' made headlines recently after returning from what was initially perceived as an injury during December's Saturday Night's Main Event (SNME). Rhodes had faced off against Kevin Owens on December 14, defending his title and showcasing the legendary 'Winged Eagle title,' which was lent to him by WWE COO Triple H. Following the match, Owens ambushed Rhodes, delivering a brutal package piledriver and leaving the champion stretchered out of the arena. Adding insult to injury, Owens flaunted the Winged Eagle title, declaring himself 'the true WWE Champion.'
The December 27 episode of Friday Night SmackDown saw General Manager Nick Aldis issue an ultimatum to Owens, emphasizing the historical significance of the Winged Eagle title and demanding its return by the end of the night or face dire consequences. Just before tensions escalated, the unexpected return of Rhodes occurred, who confronted Owens directly and challenged him to a ladder match for the Undisputed WWE title at the Royal Rumble.
When the match was officially announced by Aldis, signs of skepticism arose among fans about Rhodes' injury. Many speculated whether the injury had been part of the storyline rather than a genuine ailment. Questions mounted particularly because the match was booked for the Royal Rumble instead of on the highly anticipated debut episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix, set for January 6. The excitement around the Raw premiere, with high-profile matchups like Liv Morgan against Rhea Ripley, CM Punk against Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns versus Solo Sikoa, made fans wonder why Rhodes and Owens wouldn't clash there.
Beyond the rivalry between Rhodes and Owens, the Royal Rumble event already has its share of drama leading up to it. Traditionally one of the biggest events on the wrestling calendar, the Royal Rumble marks the commencement of the WrestleMania season, complete with surprise entrants and unexpected twists. Early speculations about potential winners have gotten the WWE Universe buzzing, especially with the arrival of mock entrants lists circulating online. Reports suggest this year’s fake entrant lists included names like John Cena and The Rock for the Men’s Royal Rumble and Charlotte Flair for the Women’s Royal Rumble, provoking both excitement and skepticism from the fans.
According to reliable sources, including Ringside News, these lists are confirmed to be “100 percent fake,” with WWE yet to finalize the actual entrants. The tradition of fake lists tends to get fans hyped up even before the actual entries are announced, as it has become part of the yearly excitement surrounding the event. Fans remain hopeful and eager to see who will potentially emerge victorious from this year's chaos. The winners of both the men's and women's Rumble matches will earn their opportunity for championship bouts at the following WrestleMania 41, slated for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Despite skepticism around leaked lists, the 2025 Royal Rumble guarantees to be one of the most thrilling and unpredictable shows yet. Each year, the anticipation grows as WWE weaves compelling stories and dramatic confrontations, drawing audiences back time and again. With the history of unexpected twists and remarkable moments, fans are counting down the days until the Rumble, anticipating both the action and the start of the roads leading to WrestleMania.
With dates rapidly approaching, whispers among fans and critics will only grow louder as to who will rise to the occasion. Will Cody Rhodes redeem himself and solidify his reign against Owens, or will Owens capitalize on the chaos and claim his spot at the top? Could the unexpected surprise entrants shake the very foundation of the Royal Rumble? One thing is certain: the excitement surrounding WWE's Royal Rumble 2025 is palpable, and everyone is eager to witness the legacies defined and careers altered on this monumental night.
