Former WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee made a shocking return at the Royal Rumble, sending the wrestling world into a frenzy. Fans have long speculated about her comeback, and when her music hit, the crowd erupted. Entering at number 27, AJ immediately made an impact, eliminating multiple competitors, including a dominant Shayna Baszler. With her signature Black Widow submission still as lethal as ever, she proved that she hasn’t lost a step. However, her dream of winning the Rumble was cut short when Rhea Ripley, the reigning Women’s World Champion, eliminated her in the final moments. Despite not securing the victory, AJ’s return has sparked speculation about a potential full-time run in WWE, with rumors swirling about a future match at WrestleMania.
Meanwhile, the drama between Tiffany Stratton and Mandy Rose has reached a boiling point. Mandy, the former NXT Women’s Champion, recently teased a return, hinting that she was coming back for “unfinished business.” Many assumed she was referring to reclaiming her spot at the top, but Tiffany Stratton wasn’t having any of it. In a fiery promo, Tiffany dismissed Mandy’s past success, calling her “yesterday’s news” and stating that the new era belongs to her. Mandy didn’t stay silent either, taking to social media to clap back at Tiffany, claiming she paved the way for stars like her and daring her to prove she’s more than just hype. With the tension escalating, WWE fans are speculating whether this rivalry will lead to an official in-ring showdown in the coming weeks.
Adding to the chaos, the mysterious hacker has made their return, leaving cryptic messages throughout WWE programming. This anonymous figure, last seen disrupting storylines in 2020, reappeared during the Royal Rumble broadcast, hijacking the titantron with distorted images and a chilling message: “The truth will be revealed.” Fans quickly began piecing together clues, trying to determine the identity of the hacker. Some believe this could be Mustafa Ali, who previously played a similar role, while others speculate a brand-new superstar is behind the messages. Whoever it is, the hacker’s return signals major changes on the horizon.
Elsewhere in WWE, the Men’s Royal Rumble match delivered one of the most unpredictable finishes in recent history. Cody Rhodes, looking to complete his story and challenge Roman Reigns once again, entered at number 30 and went head-to-head with surprise entrant CM Punk. The two battled fiercely, with Punk eliminating Seth Rollins before turning his attention to Rhodes. The match seemed destined to end in Punk’s favor, but a last-second counter saw Cody send him over the top rope, securing back-to-back Rumble wins. With this victory, Cody has officially punched his ticket to WrestleMania, setting up a blockbuster main event against Roman Reigns.
As WWE heads toward WrestleMania season, the fallout from the Royal Rumble will shape the road ahead. AJ Lee’s return, the heated rivalry between Mandy Rose and Tiffany Stratton, the resurgence of the mystery hacker, and Cody Rhodes’ journey to dethroning Roman Reigns have all set the stage for an electrifying few months in WWE. The only question now is—what happens next?
