The Royal Rumble is almost here and the traditional guessing game about surprise entrants is well underway. Even the confirmed return of Charlotte Flair has fanned the flames, with speculation that the announcement might be a ploy to cover up a more surprising return.

Who could be the unexpected entrants this time around? Here are 10 names on our radar:

AJ Lee

Let’s get this one dealt with straight away. Ever since CM Punk returned to WWE, there has been excited chatter among his fans that AJ Lee, Punk’s real-life spouse, might make a similarly surprising comeback.

Will it happen? Up until now, it’s largely been a guessing game. That was until Punk poured gas on the flames of speculation by telling Jackie Redmond that there was one “big name" he wanted to see in this year’s women’s match.

As teases go, this one was as subtle as a sledgehammer. If the former Divas champion doesn’t appear, fans will have every right to feel a bit miffed with “The Second City Saint.”

Likelihood: 6 out of 10.

Ilja Dragunov

If you believe the official line, this one should be off the table. WWE said that Dragunov injured his knee last fall and would be out of action for at least six months, which would delay any return until March at the earliest.

Still, we know that wrestling companies aren’t always 100% truthful when it comes to these things and rumors are already swirling that “The Mad Dragon” is fit and ready for a Rumble return. Judging by his Instagram posts, he’s certainly preparing for something.

We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed that we see him this Saturday.

Likelihood: 8 out of 10.

Trick Williams

Last year’s men’s Rumble featured two NXT names, both of whom (Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes) have since had solid runs on the main roster. If anyone is well-positioned to do the same thing this year it has to be the former NXT champion Trick Williams.

The 30-year-old has done an excellent job as NXT’s go-to headliner over the past year. He deserves the chance to make a name for himself in this year’s Rumble — and perhaps also settle a few old scores with Melo.

Likelihood: 7 out of 10.

Asuka

With Dakota Kai sidelined due to injury again, the chances of a full Damage CTRL reunion in the Rumble have been dashed. But where does that leave “The Empress of Tomorrow,” who would have likely been the cornerstone of such a move?

It’s now approaching a year since we saw Asuka. There’s some serious anticipation that this will change this weekend. Based on current reports, we certainly shouldn’t be ruling it out. Expect a big pop if this one comes off.

Likelihood: 7 out of 10.

Joe Hendry

Are we about to enter a second wave of Hendry-mania? The silver-shampooed Scotsman had the wrestling world eating out of the palm of his hand last year when he made his big cameo appearance in NXT, thanks in part to him having the catchiest entrance music in wrestling.

With the new WWE/TNA partnership, and Hendry holding the latter’s world championship, the stars look perfectly aligned for an appearance this weekend. Put me down as a believer on this one.

Likelihood: 9 out of 10.

Randy Orton

It’s been a while since “The Viper” was taken out of action following a nasty piledriver from his unhinged former ally Kevin Owens. So is now the time for a comeback?

An Orton return would certainly add a fresh twist to the ongoing Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens rivalry, potentially even setting up a future vendetta against the Universal Champion. Either way, it’s hard to imagine that Orton won’t feature at WrestleMania.

If that’s the plan, this would be the right time to start putting it into action.

Likelihood: 6 out of 10.

Jade Cargill

Last year’s Rumble saw the debut of Jade Cargill, finally unleashing the anticipation that had been building ever since the former AEW star was unveiled as WWE’s latest signing.

Cargill would go on to dominate the women’s tag team division before being taken out of action following a mysterious backstage attack seemingly designed to build toward a singles match at WrestleMania.

Ordinarily, having the same talent be the “surprise” entrant at back-to-back Rumbles might feel a bit risky. But I suspect “Big Money Jade” has the star power to pull it off.

Likelihood: 9 out of 10.

Malakai/Aleister Black

WWE has been hitting consistent home-runs with its signings from AEW, most recently with the lucha sensation Penta. Now it looks like the company might be about to get its hands on another of Tony Khan’s talents in the form of Malakai Black.

The tattooed martial artist is certainly well-known enough to get a big Rumble pop (not least given he wrestled in WWE until 2021). But perhaps we shouldn’t get excited just yet. Media reports suggest that Black’s AEW contract limits any WWE return for a few weeks yet.

Likelihood: 2 out of 10.

Matt Cardona/Zack Ryder

Returning to the couples theme, could we also see a comeback for another wrestling spouse, namely Mr. Chelsea Green (aka Matt Cardona)?

Cardona’s WWE run as Zack Ryder is ancient history now. But the ultra-charismatic New Yorker has exuded star quality on the indies, as well as winning praise for his work in TNA and Ring of Honor. He also talked a good game when asked about a WWE return by Ariel Helwani earlier this month.

It helps that WWE clearly holds his wife in such high esteem (and quite rightly so, for what it’s worth).

Likelihood: 4 out of 10.

Bad Bunny

The three-time Grammy winner was praised to the hilt for his work with Damian Priest at Backlash two years ago, but has been conspicuous by his absence since then.

Sure, adding one of the world’s most in-demand musicians adds somewhat of a logistical challenge. But the Latin supremo set tongues wagging when he hinted at a future WWE return during an interview with Rolling Stone earlier this month.

Given the potential reach of the Netflix deal, you'd suspect that Nick Khan and Triple H would move mountains for the chance to make that happen.

Likelihood: 3 out of 10.