Royal Rumble SCOOPS MEGATHREAD (Constantly Updated)

This will be constantly updated throughout the weekend!

- Fightful has been asking around about both The Rock and Steve Austin, and the Royal Rumble. Talent that we've spoken to -- to the tune of over a dozen -- haven't been told anything, but said that it's well known that WWE wants of them. One even noted that the money increase between the pitches to Austin for Brock Lesnar in the fall, and Reigns in January was "significant" and obvious that WWE wanted him for something. The word that we got back was that WWE hadn't heard back from Austin about that match.

There are several people who claim to have connections to the company that swear The Rock is showing up, but so far Fightful has been given no confirmation or indication that it's happening yet.

- We haven't been told if Chelsea Green is being planned for the Royal Rumble, but there have been tentative creative plans for her to play a comedic "Karen" type character based on what we heard. She's actually been signed for months.

- We flat out asked Matt Cardona if he was coming in for the WWE Royal Rumble, and he said "In San Antonio the day before the Rumble? What am I, a mark?

- For those asking about Switchblade Jay White's status, NJPW sources claim he's still under contract to them as of the Royal Rumble.

- Hikuleo was also said to still be under contract, but Tama Tonga's was supposed to be up "sometime soon."

- Mountain Dew Pitch Black was a major sponsor of WWE Royal Rumble, the press conference and the Pitch Black match. So far, we were told that a lot of neon elements were involved in the match, altered lighting, and that rundowns were taking place several weeks ago.

- Doudrop is in town doing media, and told us that she's been training for an in-ring return as of a month ago.

- Big E is also in town and is JJJJJJJJAAAAAAAAAAAAACKED. That is pretty much standard procedure though. 

- Bo Dallas was in town this week. There are Uncle Howdy outfits set for use Saturday.

- WWE brought a ton of NIL recruits in for community and media events this weekend,

- Although they haven't been officially slated for the Royal Rumble, Chad Gable, Otis, Titus O'Neil, Xavier Woods, Angelo Dawkins, Damian Priest, Michin, and Montez Ford were in town or slated to be in town for the show this week.

- WWE filmed a Sonya/Charltotte angle during an interview on Friday.

- As per tradition, WWE is filming a lot of additional Digital and Peacock content. However, we were told that WWE brought in nowhere nearly as many people or legends for media or filming than last year.

- IMPACT Wrestling's Tommy Dreamer was in town, but was doing work with Busted Open Radio.

- Several talent were speculating that they believe Pat McAfee could be back soon, with one saying they'd heard his name mentioned for the Royal Rumble.

- Cody's merchandise has been selling like crazy this weekend, we're told.

- As of a few weeks ago, WWE had turned down a few names that had contacted them from years past for the Women's Rumble, and told some that they're more focused on active talent. That being said, there was a request to pitch "unconventional surprises."

- Last year there was a strict decree to not use NXT talent in the Royal Rumble. We've not heard if that's the case for this year.

- WWE has Bloodline Leis on scene for use at the Royal Rumble.

- Dana Brooke spoke as if she'd be in the Royal Rumble match today, though she's not officially announced. She's been in every women's Royal Rumble match. Shotzi was also planned for the Rumble as of Friday night.


SATURDAY UPDATE

- Ronda Rousey hasn't been expected for the Royal Rumble since she lost her title back in December, Fightful Select was told. Her name may have been pitched recently, but those in creative we spoke to have been operating on the assumption that she wasn't coming in as of back then. One person connected to Rousey told us that they wouldn't rule it out, though.

- Regarding questions about Nick Aldis and Mickie James. We've heard about some WWE interest in Nick Aldis dating back to when he was in NWA. Mickie James is technically a free agent despite being IMPACT Knockouts Champion. She has commitments with IMPACT for quite a while.

- WWE was being very secretive to some that have to work adjacent to the match -- specifically staff for the men's Royal Rumble.

- We learned from one source and talent confirmed that they had heard that there were ongoing discussions regarding the match order. At one point the "not locked in" order would have had the Men's Royal Rumble first and Kevin Owens/Roman Reigns close. We'll have the actual match order tonight before the show.

- Rehearsals for the Rumble match started a little earlier than usual. Many of the rehearsals are done in specific blocks of entrants. Hypothetical examples are like 1-8 etc.

- New Day, Drew McIntyre, Omos and Bobby Lashley were all doing media as of around noon EST on Saturday. 

- For those asking, Cody Rhodes hasn't done public media this week.

- There was also word that Chelsea Green would be popping up sooner than later, and possibly tonight.

- 2K held an event Saturday morning showing off some new features of the game. There was also a dinner with NIL talent and some superstars Friday.

- WWE was very happy with viewership numbers of both WWE Raw and Smackdown this week, we're told. 

- Word was that WWE wanted to keep the event to four hours.

- Media was told that the show began at "7:30 EST" so it wouldn't appear any kickoff matches will be before that. 

- Edge and Beth Phoenix are both expected in San Antonio today, per talent. Edge has been filming a show that just wrapped, and was originally tentatively penciled in to face Finn Balor at the Rumble in a big match, which didn't happen. Also, Beth Phoenix and Edge had been planned to team at Elimination Chamber. We aren't sure how the changes for his Rumble plans would affect that if at all. 

- Ivy Nile, Zoey Stark, Indi Hartwell, and Roxanne Perez are in San Antonio.

- There are several main roster wrestlers who were not brought in for the show. Dexter Lumis isn't advertised for the show, but is in town.

- Nia Jax is expected for the show, per PWInsider. 

- DDP was rumored to be in town Saturday.

- As of Saturday the Men's Rumble was to be slightly longer than the women's

- Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens is set to get a lot of time.

- Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss was set to be the shortest match

- Lana has made it very public that she's in San Antonio.

- Gallows and Anderson were not planned for the show tonight and not brought in.